"Yuh greet yuh friends & acquaintances with head movements"|Yuh is ah Trini

Triniglish|Trinididioms Spoken and Explained #37

Yuh is ah Trini|"Yuh does greet yuh friends by nodding yuh head up and down and left to right  and  back when yuh hear ah stale joke." 

Your head houses one of the greatest computers that science is attempting to mimic in so many ways. We use our brains to think and make sense of the world around us. However, Trinis have moved outside of the box and have found very unique ways to use their heads. In this case it is not to think or rationalize the world around them but simply to express themselves in a very unique fashion. 

The conversation and rest of this post will head downhill as you realize that Trinis don't care about that which is the norm. The result is that many people in North America remain fascinated in the ways that we communicate not to mention how confused they are at times. Having said that we will now turn our attention to two unique ways we use our "one head" to express our feelings without uttering a word - the thought process is real and the result meaningful to Trinis and eventually you once you understand nuances, the sweetness in this 'non conversational dialogue'. 

Now put yourself in this picture and see yourself liming with a group of people where ever so often (as is the norm with limes) somebody drops by and joins the lime. As you watch the picture unfold you will notice something very special whenever someone joins the lime. Some persons will voice their appreciation for the company but many will simply look at the person, ensure that they have their attention then do something very special... The simply nod their head up and down while at the same time and in quick fashion, raise their eyebrows with the tilt of the head on the way up. That simple nod translates into I see you, I recognize your presence and at the same time asks, 'how yuh doing?' Now that is a case of an extended conversation that takes place without having voiced a word!

As we continue with the lime (remember a lime is much more than people hanging out together eh) someone may decide that they are a comic or may attempt to roast someone hanging out with the crew. That is where the lime can become rowdy but most of the time everyone simply laughs and move on. However sometimes the joke may be sour or the statements made may be greeted with disdain and even contempt at times. In such a scenario the head action that takes place is a left to right and back several times that is sometimes accompanied by a sharp backward (front to back) movement of the head. Most of the time the action is head back with a crinkling of the eyebrows followed by the left to right movement to express the disappointment of the statement (stale joke) or action of the person. 

There you have it two very unique ways Trinis use their head to communicate their feeling while greeting a friend or acquaintance or simply to acknowledge the presence of a person joining a group. The nod or side to side action of the head with accompanied crinkling of the eyebrows and skin on the forehead speaks volumes without a word being uttered. Now that is special and powerful communication skills that Trinis possess. Don't you think so?

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"Yuh Cyar Play Mass and Fraid Powder"|Yuh is ah Trini

Triniglish|Trinididioms Spoken and Explained #36

Yuh is ah Trini|"Yuh Cyar Play Mass and Fraid Powder"

There was a time in Trinidad and Tobago when sailor mass was King of the Carnival celebration. Carnival Monday belonged to Sailor mass and in those days’ flour bags (bags made from cotton) was one of the materials used to make the outfits worn by the masqueraders. Now this is just a little history and has something to do with this "yuh is ah trini post". If you lived during the period when Sailor mass was boss then it would be easy to understand the phrase, "Yuh Cyar Play Mass and Fraid Powder". 

Sounds simple enough but this simple phrase runs deep and can be used to put some sense where nonsense exists. Well during the parade of the sailor mass bands the masqueraders used a lot of 'baby powder" or talcum powder. They whitened their faces with the powder and would throw or shake the powder on everyone passing by... Sometimes they would break ranks and go after onlookers throwing powder on them.  During that period people knew that if you did not want any powder on you "fine dan dan" (ie nice clothing) that you needed to stay away from the sailor mass. Right there you had the key to the phrase if you did not want to get powder on your person then stay away from the band. In other words don't get involved if you don't want to pay the price for your actions. The consequences or your actions even though innocent could get you in trouble. 

So my friends if you don't want to experience the consequences of your negative actions (by doing things you know will get you in trouble) then it is quite possible that one of your elders could very well be saying "yuh cyar play mass and fraid powder".  So stay away from situations that could lead to trouble because if you don't then all hell will break loose. "Ent it is Trini who say so!". 

In today's society we need the young people to come to grip with the consequences of their silly ways. You know the saying, "Friends will carry yuh but won't bring yuh back". In other words they will encourage you to go somewhere or do something then abandon you when thing go south (sour eh). So it is very important to understand that "Yuh Cyar Play Mass and Fraid Powder" because the consequences of your actions may bite you in your behind.

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"Mout' Open 'Tory Jump Out"|Yuh is ah Trini

Triniglish|Trinididioms Spoken and Explained #35

Yuh is ah Trini|MOUT’ OPEN ‘TORY JUMP OUT

"Mout open, tory jump out!": This is a special one and one that I love. We have a saying in Trinidad about 'giving and taking basket' and this has nothing to do with weaving anything to make a basket. It has to do with 'encouraging someone to do something' but not with good intentions. So in a case like this if the person takes the bait and speaks about "that something" that they would not have voluntarily done then in such a case 'mout open 'tory jump out.  

There is another situation where a person may pretend to be a certain way or would like you to believe that they are open minded but the truth is they are very biased in their views. I for one consider myself a person who "calls a spade a spade". I like to chat in the WACK Radio shout-box and there are many acquaintances that I communicate with in that box. Some are very cool while others spew venom at times. We are all Trinidadians who come together to laugh and have a good time. However when it comes to elections, as was the case back home recently, we see some unsavory behavior that can bring about the same situation - "mout' open and 'tory jump out". I guess we also bring our old habits and attitudes with us, the ugly side of our personalities come to the surface. The conversation regarding the installation of the new Peoples Partnership in the country is interesting. 

They started off with the fact that they wished the government well because they want the country to progress; then as the conversation continues "Mout' open and 'tory jump out"! This was done in classic 'Trini mauvais langue' terms with the conversation shifting in what I consider dangerous territory. They blame the former PM for the trouble the PNM found themselves in... "he shoulda go and give Rowley ah chance, they woulda still be in power". This denial continues and they turn a blind eye to the rampant corruption and mismanagement that took place. 

Now all of this is done with the eventuality that the present government can't govern but is only "gallerying". Then they turn their guns to the new government and point fingers to show who is going to thief and who has something to gain as is the case with the use of private security guards to assist the police in crime detection. Already Mr. Jack Warner and his son are in a position to buy out and own just about everything in the country. It does not matter that he is proactive and is getting the job done... No no no, you see their party is out of office and as one person said in the box, "people like Warner have sold out his race" to give rise to the Caroni  posse. Yes these are the very same people who want you to consider them "fren" and talk about togetherness then spew these ugly thoughts that are allowed to fester in that shout-box... what a shame!

'Yuh' see what I meant..."How dey go do dat, they cyar (should not) do dat!" Indeed this is a classic case of   "Mout' open and 'tory jump out!" 

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"Vie Ke Vie"|Yuh is ah Trini

Triniglish|Trinididioms Spoken and Explained #34

Yuh is ah Trini|Vie Ke Vie

"How tings, I good, yuh know how it is I carrying on day to day, yuh know... vie ke vie". We do things every day we conduct our lives in such a manner that we don't think about it, we just do it. 

We wake up and do certain things to start the day. Our morning ablutions may include a shower, brushing our teeth, shaving activities (both men and women... Ahem) and breakfast with a daily newspaper to catch up on what is going on before we walk out the door. The things we do every day, this routine that we don't think about but simply do can be addressed in the phrase "vie ke vie" when asked, "how things". In other words the things we do "from day to day".

"How things (how tings)" is typical conversation one can hear when Trinidadians (citizens of Trinidad and Tobago) get together and chat. A quick response could be "poke ah poke" or "vie Ke vie". Most of the time the Trinidadian really wants to let you know that nothing has changed and that they are doing OK. 

"So how yuh doing?" In other words "how tings?"

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"Ah ketch ah Vaps"|Yuh is ah Trini

Triniglish|Trinididioms Spoken and Explained #33

Yuh is ah Trini|Yuh ketch ah Vaps

Do you recall using the phrase "Ah ketch ah vaps"? Well the follow up question should be expected and it is a very simple one. Do you understand what it means to "ketch ah vaps"? Well if you are scratching your head at this point you may just have given up your rights to being called "ah Trini" or even the very popular "Trini2D Bone". Many of us, in our life, "ketch a vaps" and in many cases it is a good thing but not always the case. 

Recently the former Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago, Patrick Manning, "ketch ah vaps" and called general elections. Many Trinis believe that was the case because the Prime Minister had control of the Parliament and he could not have been removed from office without members of his party voting against him in the "scheduled no confidence vote" by the opposition party. Well we all know what happened and that 'vaps" came to naught for the now former Prime Minister.

At this point most of you are breathing a sigh of relief because you probably ran to 'dig up' you copy of Côté ci Côté là or went online and checked out Tankalanka to read up on what it means to "ketch ah vaps". So for the rest whom are too lazy to do the search or simply don't know here is the explanation. To ketch ah vaps is to be inspired and in this case it is "sudden inspiration". 

The local elections taking place today in Trinidad may have been because the current Prime Minister "ketch ah vaps" and wanted to ride the momentum of the euphoria of the last general elections that took place two months ago or it could have been thoughtfully planned to maximize their grip on government. I just "ketch ah vaps" for my next post. I used the word grip and it dawned on me that Trinis know what a grip is or how to grip things. Well this could be an interesting one... until then keep your Trini pride next to your heart. Trini2D Bone.

So Calypso!: The Soul Of Trinidad; Kaiso! the Trinidad Calypso: A Study of Calypso As Oral Literature

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"Yuh look fuh dat"|Yuh is ah Trini

Triniglish|Trinididioms Spoken and Explained #32

Yuh is ah Trini|Yuh look fuh dat!

It damn good fuh yuh, yuh look fuh dat! Now don't tell me that you haven't heard these words before? Maybe it was not said to you but as a child you must have heard it or even said it to one of your friends.  This is a good ole Trinidad saying that simply means that you deserve what you got.

I am sure you have heard this one, "Friend will carry yuh but doh bring yuh back". It is typically a situation like this one when a child did not listen to his or her parent and ran off with friends to have a good time and something bad happened during the "Lime". Maybe you got in a fight and was beaten or someone took something important from you. In such a situation the person responsible for you (parent or guardian) will ensure that you hear those words, "Yuh look fuh dat".

In Trinidad today there is so much crime but the consequences for the acts of senseless crimes committed goes by without punishment. It is as if they have lost the sense of the payment for the deed because nothing happens. The crimes go unpunished and "yuh look fuh dat" is meaningless. It is about time that "Yuh look for Dat" got back some importance. It is about time that we take back our country from these nefarious bastards.

This was meant to be a fun post but turned out otherwise. The truth is we need to understand that we all need to take responsibility for our actions. The consequence should be punishment for the crime all the time and in so doing we call all say, "Yuh damn well look fuh dat!"

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'Smart card' smartmen driving sports cars|Trinidad Express NewsPapers

Some of the "poor" people receiving the TTCards—which allows them to purchase food—are driving sports cars and are undeserving of the State grant, Social Development Minister Glenn Ramadharsingh said yesterday.

"The country has enough for everyone in need but it doesn't have enough for everyone in greed," he added.

via www.trinidadexpress.com

This kind of behavior happens all over the World where people take advantage of the system simply because they could get away with it. However, we should not tolerate this indecent activity by citizens. This program was designed to help those in need and we should not tolerate this brazen and boldface behavior of people who don't need this grant.

The 'Smart Card' was designed to help those in need not those who could help themselves. We also have to look at the people issuing the cards because this is also an area where government workers could grant these cards to people for a kick back. It sounds bad but is a reality.

The Smart Card is being used by so called Smart Men who have found a way to manipulate the system to their benefit. This title can also be applied to the dealers who accept the smart card. If the card is used to pay for non essential items like cigarettes etc then they should be penalized for defeating the purpose for which the card was designed.

It can work and there will always be people looking to cheat their way into the coffers of the State. We need to make these punishable offences to help deter these offenders. Let's hope that it is not only talk but action will be taken to weed out these thieves.

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"Bag ah sugar down dey"|Yuh is ah Trini

Triniglish|Trinididioms Spoken and Explained #31
Yuh is ah Trini|If yuh understand the meaning of "Ah bag ah Sugar down dey"!

When yuh sweet yuh sweet eh. So when we are speaking about 'ah bag ah sugar, especially sugar down dey, this is smut at its best but saying it in such a manner that it is not offensive to anyone. This kind of sugar has nothing to do with diabetes or something sweet from a plant or sold in supermarkets but is the subject that makes for classic calypso such as the Mighty Sparrow's " A Bag O'Sugar Down Dey". 

So if it is not something that is sweet to taste, well pardon me because to some this thing is really sweet, in a figurative sense. This reference to 'ah bag ah sugar down dey' is a conversation that comes from the mouths of men and is made in reference to women. In this case it is a reference to the woman's skill in love-making with her vagina as the focal point for all of the sweetness. Indeed it is about the woman's ability to make the man feel good and in many respects have him in a state of stupor aka 'toutulbay' syndrome. This bag ah sugar will cause a man to disown his friends not for love but for the sweetness and fire that causes his groin to twitch with excitement just thinking about the sweetness he experienced. 

For some men using the term "bag ah sugar down dey" may be referenced because of the way the woman walks, a physical attribute like bow legs, the way she sways her hips or even the space that she may have between her front teeth. These men will make every effort to get with such a woman just for the experience. Many lies come from dating women with these attributes because even if they don't get to first base it is because others think that there is something special there that they lie to make their friend believe that they got something that they long to experience. 

Some men believe that every dougla  woman (mixture of African and East Indian) "have ah bag ah sugar down dey". The dougla woman is looked at as some sex craved creature that needs to be tamed. She is a little of this and a little of that and the attributes of both races make her exotic and wanted. She has what it takes to handle it and also has the fire in her loins that many men think of as 'ah bag ah sugar down dey".

Unfortunately these days the men are in for the fight of their lives as they are in direct competition with women for the same 'bag ah sugar'. This is one area where women think they know all about the sugar better than the male counterparts and this has cause great dismay especially when high grade yellow crystal sugar goes to the other side of the equation. 

Now whatever your thoughts are about this subject don't be mislead or get confused when you hear the term "bag ah sugar used" - it is all sexual in nature unless someone really is trying to get some sugar in the supermarket. Just be careful how you answer because if you guess wrong it could lead to trouble or you may miss out on some really good sugar especially 'the one down dey'.  Now if you really want to learn the secret about all of this sugar (how to recognize it in a woman) then you need to listen to the man who knows about this "bag ah sugar" the one and only, the incomparable Mighty Sparrow.

08 - Bag Ah' Sugar

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"Body Parts|Tot Tots, Toti, Bam Bam, Bumsy, Tun Tun or Toonie"|Yuh is ah Trini

Triniglish|Trinididioms Spoken and Explained #30

Yuh is ah Trini|Body Parts|Tot Tots, Toti, Bam Bam, Bumsy, Tun Tun or Toonie

This one could lead to trouble so I will try to be a good Trini and get to the point and hope that I don't get into any trouble with the approach and explanations that follow. OK, it is believed that the following terms,Tot Tots, Toti, Bam Bam,Tun Tun and Toonie all came children at play or from adults who could not watch the kids in their eyes when asked to state the correct name for the body parts. 

First up is Tot Tots and it is one that is commonly used by children all over the two islands. The term tot tot is also used in Haiti but it is used to describe a wrinkled mango that was never able to reach maturity. Tot Tot in Trinidad is used interchangeably with breasts. I don't have a clue how this came about but any red blooded Trini knows the term Tot Tots and that it is a reference to a woman's breasts (full breasts especially those of a mother with a baby). In Haiti is is related to a very old lady whose breasts are sagging. The term Tot Tot and popot are used interchangeably in Haiti according to my friend Pierre Mirvil.

The term "Toti" will cause any young lady to blush with embarrassment. As a matter of fact toti and toto are used to describe the same thing - a man's penis. These words are mostly used by children. The adults used words that are commonplace in the United States to describe the penis.

Well Bam Bam and Bumsy is the heart of the Carnival wining season and it all has to do with the woman's back side. Doh back back if yuh cyar wine back yuh hear. The female's derrière is so special and adored in Trini land that some men will get weak when they see one they consider to be "it". It could cause fights if another man attempts to wine on that bam bam. In the end the woman's backside rules the carnival wining season and if you have a nice one and you have the ability to work it just right then the men will follow like there is "ah bag ah sugar down dey" (subject of the next post). 

Tun Tun and Toonie, well you really have to be a Trini to understand these two terms that lead to the same vertex sorry, I meant point. Oh man did I do that... Steve may not have approved of this. Now there is a calypso that references Tun Tun as in "I love tun tun" and this relates an Indian singer who isited Trinidad a long ago. However the use of double entendre was cleaverly used to conceal the the true meaning of the "name Tun Tun". A true Trini knows that this is a reference to the female vagina.  

There are other terms that are used and probably new ones are available but these are considered classic. If you should know of any that have a place in this post please leave a comment and I will put it in as an addendum to the post.

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"Seed ah de Riddim"|Yuh is ah Trini

Triniglish|Trinididioms Spoken and Explained #29

Yuh is ah Trini|Seed ah de Riddim

Everyone has a favorite claypsonian and every person has their reason why their selection is the best. Some will say it is Sparrow, Kitchener,Nello, Duke or even Cro Cro. However one off my favorite singers is the Mighty Shadow. No one and I mean no one can do his music and come away with the oomph that he leaves behind. His music is unique, his dance and facial expression (none) is precious and the music is nothing short of classic.

Many singers have copied the style of others but what is so special about Shadow that the beat which is so infectious is not copied? His music and beat reminds me of James Brown. The music is infectious but no one copied it, no one thrived off it. Well many may beg to inform that the Soca beat really came from Shadow. Can we say that the seed of Soca did not start with Lord Shorty but came from the rhythm that was and is so unique to Shadow? Now that is food for thought but what about the "THE SEED OF DE RIDDIM"?

One person decided to sit with the Shadow and talk to him about the rhythm and to get a feel for that which drives the man. In so doing he created a track that is the only piece of music that comes close to Shadow. This is musical madness as Ajala named the track "Bring down the Rhythm" and in this fantastic dancing and musical masterpiece he conversed about the seed of de riddim (rhythm).

This is music to lose control, to free up and jam up on something, to pelt waist, to throw waist and dingolay as only Trini can do. So if yuh like to jump up on one spot like the Shadow then you will feel the feeling and with that get an idea of the riddim. This feeling of musical mayhem will surely help you to understand the "seed ah de riddim".

Just jam the music and have some fun eh... Ajala's video is attached to this post for your enjoyment. Raise yuh volume, throw waist, shake in one place and feel the "seed ah de riddim".

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"Willie's Helper|Bois Bandé, Pacro Water, Spanish Fly and Sea Moss"|Yuh is ah Trini

Triniglish|Trinididioms Spoken and Explained #28

Yuh is ah Trini|Bois Bandé, Pacro Water, Spanish Fly and Sea Moss

In the Matrix Neo was given the choice to take the red pill or the blue pill. The red pill offered Neo the opportunity to see the truth while the blue pill kept things the same as before. Today the blue pill is the magic that shows the deflated male the future - a new beginning and relief from the thought of getting 'horn' (horn may come regardless of your virility). Well in Trini land the blue pill may have its place but Sea Moss, Pacro water and Bois Bandé are the ingredients used in the villages to bring 'Lazarus' back to life. Are you a believer?

Bois Bandé (pronounced Bwah ban-day according to Côté ci Côté là) is the herb of choice. I pity some of the trees that have wilted because so much of the bark was removed from the tree. The bark is boiled/steeped to get the magic that will give rise to lost pleasure and to heal painful and deep physiological wounds. Does it work? Write in and let me know because I don't know if it does. I believe I drank the 'tea' once but can't say if it really made a difference. No don't even go there. I found a site that sells Bois Bandé powder. On the site there is an 'important notice' reminding you to use the produce responsibly. Ha ha ha Trini acting responsibly when it comes to sex - that will happen when pigs begin to fly.

Here is some information (this is done in the interest of the public health... Tongue in cheek response!) from the site Grenada Market: "Bois Bande loosely translates from its French origin as "Potency Wood". It is found in some Caribbean islands and is well known as a Sex enhancer. The powder is derived from the bark of the Bois Bande Tree and can be added to hot beverages (water, milk) to extract its potent ingredients." Link to the site here: Grenada Market.com.

Pacro Water. Yes I had it and most Trinis still drink it and believe in its potency. I really don't care for it because I can't deal with any sea food in shells anymore. I am allergic to these things. According to the Simply Trini Cooking website, "it good for de back". If you are adventurous and want to try it go to this link for the recipe: Simply Trini Cooking|Pacro Water.

Spanish Fly. Ahh Spanish Fly, the one and only aphrodisiac that was the buzz of the town for a long long time. the young men all wanted to try this product. The product claims to be able to enhance performance. Increases libido and virility, improves sensation and increases stamina. Documentation for the product also claims that it increases skin sensitivity and is specifically formulated to help support sexual function and pleasure.

Sea Moss. Here is another one that is "good for de back" and the typical Trini male will consume Sea Moss every day if given the opportunity. It has been reported that it has aphrodisiac properties. I just don't care about any of that because this drink is simply wonderful - I love it! This sea weed is dried and sold in the markets around the country. Blanchieusse is a good place to get Sea Moss if you are on the Island. Once again Simply Trini Cooking provides a recipe for this drink. Get it here: Simply Trini Cooking|Sea Moss.

Trinis believe that these remedies can really help and if "yuh is ah real Trini' you will know about these things. Of course you can add to the post but these are some of the main 'remedies' used to give Piggly Wiggly a boost. This boost will ensure that your compass breaks the norm and point the way forward and keep you away from the confines of the cold and deep South. One needs to stay focused and head North, it is a desirable direction and a place that will stand out for years to come. However, whatever action you take make cock sure that you get it right.

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The Birdie could not Ramajay|Slinger Francisco

My friend Gail remarked that Sparrow gave her the 'freshcole' tonight; well she was not the only person who cried after seeing the mighty one fall from grace at NAPA in Port-of-Spain last night. 

Indeed it was a very strange night, and one that caused me to pause for a moment and take stock of my life. I witnessed something that simply broke my heart. I am a person who can reach the sappy realm very easily and tonight started out with fun and plenty ole talk and jubilation then extreme sadness swept over us like a raging tsunami crushing everything in its path.

There were many performances but Calypso Rose at age 70 performed like a tigress on the stage at NAPA in Trinidad. She was simply marvelous but then came the shock of the night that left everyone who witnessed it puzzled and dismayed. The greatest ever was announced and the expectation was high. I was pumped for the performance of the birdie. The King of Kings, the mighty one, Slinger Francisco was about to take the stage but then something strange happened.

Initially I thought it was part of the performance and the chair that the Mighty one was sitting on was part of a performance to come. This was not the case because the shell of the man sitting on the chair was not the debonair one, the man who could mash up de place... No, that was not Slinger Francisco! Something was wrong, maybe he was not feeling well, and why was he there in that state? It was sad indeed as the once master of the art form struggled to sing and could not do it the way he used to do it, with flair. The light and fire was gone from his eyes and his voice trembled as he struggled to keep pace with the music.

This was so sad and painful to watch. I believe that everyone watching the show noticed a determination, a great desire on his part to get the job done. The Mighty Sparrow had every intention of completing his stint on stage. At times it looked like he was meditating or taking a quick nap but he quickly got back in time with the music when he had his part to play.

This should not have taken place tonight. The mighty one should have been introduced to the crowd and with a supporting cast sang a few verses - nothing more. The fact that he needed to sit to perform should have been an indication to the promoters that this should have been handled differently.

We have to thank the Mighty Sparrow for the music he gave us, respect him for whom he is, give him his due and let him enjoy the show as a very, very special guest. It is obvious that he cannot perform again and we wish him well. May the Lion of the Calypso World live long, live strong and prosper with good health. Thank you for the music and wonderful memories... I am so confused after seeing this performance tonight...Enough.

Photo Source: http://www.wackradio901fm.com/

Updated 07/19/2010
The Trinidad Express in a report on the performance of the Mighty Sparrow at NAPA stated that "Sparrow, 75, who lives in New York, is suffering from diabetes, which continues to take a toll on his body".

Sparrow's wife, Margaret, also stated and it was reported in the same article that "it was not that the master calypsonian could not walk, but that walking has been causing him severe pain over the last month". This was referenced because Sparrow was brought on stage in a wheel chair and transferred to a chair from which he performed. She also stated that the Birdie, who now lives in New York, is undergoing tests to determine the cause of the back pain.

The article from the Express Newspaper can be read in its entirety at this link: "Tears flow at NAPA as stricken Sparrow sings."

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"Bounce Meh Nah!"|Yuh is ah Trini

Triniglish|Trinididioms Spoken and Explained #27

Yuh is a Trini|Well Bounce Meh Nah!

"Steups... Yuh fadder head, like yuh buy yuh license or what? Yuh didn't see me crossing de road or what? And yuh vex more than me... well if yuh name man, bounce meh nah!"

Sounds strange and even ridiculous well don't be alarmed this is typical Trini behavior. This is typical Trini talk and if you don't watch yourself you will have "someone flying up in yuh face". Yes I know I was bad to add "flying up in yuh face" to this Creole mêlée. Now to really get the 'jist of the dialogue' one must go back to the person crossing the street and examine what really took place. 

To be honest a lot of these conversations happen when someone attempts to cross the street recklessly. Trinis learn to cross the street by looking up and down then up again before crossing. Ha ha ha yes I am serious but in this case they mean up the road then down the road instead of the traditional look to your left then your right and left again before attempting to cross the street. Now that was a very serious joke and if you are Trini you should be smiling because as bad as it sounds it was reality. The adults used terms that were misleading and confusing to the children - hopefully things have changed. 

Complacency and ignorance and the need to get across the street by dodging traffic was commonly practiced without regard to the regulations governing commonsense while dealing with traffic and peoples better judgment. People always felt that they had the right of way and that the vehicle has to stop regardless of the status of the traffic lights. In the end as disaster is averted by the astute driver comes the rest of the conversation. 

The driver's heart is racing the person crossing the street is frozen with fear but as the car comes to a stop without the expected thud and then realizes that all is well. The driver hops out the car to cuss the person who almost caused a tragedy to life and limb. However, before he can utter a word, the venom that is spewed from the mouth of the  pedestrian causes him to stand with his mouth open like a fly trap - he listens in amazement. 

Pedestrian:

"What de jail is this, like yuh eh see meh crossing or what? How allyuh does get ah license to drive, like yuh pay for it or wha?

Driver:

"What de @#$%&* ah hearing here?  Like yuh want to dead or what?"

Pedestrian:

"Who yuh feel yuh is? Yuh only smelling bad... Bounce meh nah?"

Schreech, whoa pull up to the bumper baby. In this scenario the driver's heart was racing with the shot of adrenalin that was pumped into his system when his eyes caught the pedestrian attempting to play ah dog crossing the Churchill Roosevelt highway (plenty dead dog on that stretch eh). He is happy that all is well but angry as hell that the person was so complacent by attempting to cross the street without being attentive - he changed gears and wanted to put the pedestrian in his/her place with a good cussing. 

The pedestrian, who should have been thankful that the driver maintained his vehicle and that is functioned as expected, moved from a near death experience to the typical "the pedestrian always has the right of way" attitude. 'Bounce meh nah' came from that person's mouth out of fear and typical Trini 'wrong and strong' attitude. Trini always has to be correct regardless of the circumstance. One can even conclude that 'bounce meh nah' has been etched into the DNA of the typical Trini and comes to the fore with a jay walking/near death experience.

"Doh bounce meh nah" - I fear for my life and limbs and if one day I should make the mistake and try to cross the street and the car should stop and not hit me I will thank the heavens for my good fortune. I would be thankful because I was lucky that, for the first time in a long time, this driver did not take a few shots at the bar before heading home.
Trinidad - Tobago Flag License Plate;  Steelbands of Trinidad & Tobago

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"Goumangala"|Yuh is ah Trini

Triniglish|Trinididioms Spoken and Explained #26

Yuh is ah Trini|Goumangala

Every player eventually gets played. However, how the game is played is very interesting indeed and fair-play could very easily get thrown out the door. It is not a case of tit for tat and butter for fat but sometimes just tanty Mildred playing with 'dem blue bottles, black candles, white rum' resulting in a heavy dose of goumangala. Yes it is obeah my friend but in the case of goumangala you already ate it the day you decided to pick preacher's prized fruit.  

This game is played in a very simple manner. The player goes in for the kill and he is on top of his game feeling the feeling and bragging to his friends that 'he eat ah ting'. Somehow he did not realize that the good food that he was given that made him feel like ah man is the very same food that was prepared for his demise - the player got played big time. He went to get some and found out that he was in love and did not know that cupid's name was really goumangala. Yuh see when he got the proverbial salt-fish he stood on the fence early in the morning and like a good cock crowed for the neighborhood to know that he was in charge. 

Everytime he visited and ate the food he remarked that the food was getting sweeter and sweeter. It could have been some sweat rice or food laced with ganga channa that made him a foufoulou magnet but not that was not the case. Goumangala was the medicine that did him in. Imagine a person boiling their underwear and using the sauce to lace the food you eat to make yuh choopid, yes I said choopid. Now if you don't know it chupid it a little beyond stupid. 

Goumangala is the devils sauce mixed with mischief to make the catch foolish and chupid and easy prey to become a groom. This man will be saying I do without realizing what he did to get to the alter. Goumangala in everthing. My friend yuh dogs dead oui! Always remember that you are not hungry and definitely not thirsty. Find an excuse to leave and save your soul my friend. However, there are times when some players deserve what they get - the word is don't be a player because gentlemen rule. 

Now if yuh think i was joking about all of this just listen to the man who wrote the book advising men to be aware of the trouble ahead. Goumangala by the one and only Mighty Shadow a warning to all saga boi out and especially to Leeeeerooooy.

Music here:

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"Government juice"|Yuh is ah Trini

Triniglish|Trinididioms Spoken and Explained #25
Yuh is ah Trini|if yuh know what is government juice

On a very, very hot day, and it can really get hot on the island, one of the best drinks available, free of charge, is government juice. 

Now if you are Trini that is a no-brainer but as a foreigner this term 'government juice' will be foreign. Isn't it amazing that the government will provide juice free of charge for the entire population. Well if you believe that then look out your window because the pigs are flying. 

So what are we talking about and how did we come to the point of naming something government juice. Ok straight to the point, government juice is the water that you get straight from "D'Pipe" and we are talking about the stand pipe. To be honest when I think about it and recall the days of going to the stand pipe to fetch water on certain days at certain times the water really had the color of orange juice - it was colored water not the crystal clear bottled water that you pay for today. 

If you think that was funny people would collect the water in buckets and allow the sedimentation to settle and as the used to say back then, "yuh good to go". Maybe in some areas drinking that water resulted in belly wuk or simply put belly pain and a few visits to the latrine (in those days it was latrine because toilets that flushed were en vogue and costly). 

On a serious note government juice on a very hot day was the best drink available and we are talking about the crystal clear water that flowed from stand pipes (stand pipes are rarely found today). The kids would stick their mouths in "D'Pipe" and suck that cold and delicious drink that flowed through the lines - sweet! It was cold and we could not get enough. 

The Creole language of Trinidad and Tobago has so much to offer and it was only recently I realized that we say so many things without thinking about it - no big thing because that is the way it has always been. However, there are some terms that have passed on and hopefully with 'Yuh is ah Trini' we can reflect and laugh about all over again.
ZAGG invisibleSHIELD for Apple iPhone 4 (Full Body)

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"Yuh always wanted the "Bigger Half"|Yuh is ah Trini

Triniglish|Trinididioms Spoken and Explained #24

Yuh is ah Trini if yuh always wanted the 'bigger half'!

This one is special and I am guilty as charged. I remember asking for the 'bigger half' when oranges were peeled and cut into two pieces. Yes it was silly to say something like that but back then getting the bigger half was serious business. The lack thereof led to serious crying and even fighting at time for the glorified "bigger half". 

So what does it mean to get the 'bigger half'? This came about when a fruit was about to be shared or any item to be eaten had to be shared between two persons. The person who intended to get the most from the whole would (in the case of the fruit) place the knife at midpoint of the fruit. He or she would then ask you if "it looking equal" and with that one ascertained that we were talking about an equal share of the item right? If you believed that then your were  absolutely dead wrong! After making you believe that it was a fair share the person would lift the knife and come down quickly on the item dissecting it into two pieces. The original imaginary line dividing the item into two equal pieces disappeared and the result was two very unequal pieces. The larger piece was considered the 'bigger half' and this resulted in enmity or even fighting at times. 

Those were the glory days of Trini pranks where an older kid always took advantage of the younger or more timid kid. In my days it went both ways. Sometimes I got the smaller half but at other times I ensured that the deck was stacked in my favor. I ensured that I got the bigger half.

Now before you go calling someone an idiot to say something that is obviously silly when one considers the statement one must consider how the situation arose. Children always find ways to cope and ensure that they get the upper hand. This was and I believer in some areas it is still known and practiced. Indeed there is nothing as a 'bigger half' but for a time not so long ago I simply smiled when I got my "bigger half". 

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"Throw Wais"|Yuh is ah Trini

Triniglish|Trinididioms Spoken and Explained #23 

Yuh is ah Trini|"If yuh know to throw waist" 

"Music sweet eh, come and throw waist nah". Now I hope after talking so much about how good you are that when she calls you to 'throw waist' that you are able to keep up. If you can't then it is a case of dongosorrow and please run and hide. In this case your reputation will take a severe hit that would lead to 'fatigue (teasing) galore' from your male counterparts or (embarrassment) the look of death from the women who now know better - Lordy, poor soul. Simply because you could not keep pace with what comes naturally with these ladies snake waist females you are condemned to the dungeon of 'cyar wine' darkness - Oh the pain! This poor soul will be scorned by the women who would say dat man is of no use - He is ah soft man! What? 

To quote a lady friend of mine, "Oh gawd like he dead or what... Better yuh mudda did plant ah fig tree instead". Now do you see what has transpired? Now you are frowned up and the scorn and contempt may even lead to depression - the pride of the Trini male can't take that. How could they say that? This is contempt is a situation that a man needs to avoid like the plague. So what happens if you, as a man, you were able to throw more waist than the woman, what then? Nothing, absolutely nothing all they would say is that, "yuh is man" because in the flip side we (as men) always have something to lose.

So what does it really mean to "throw waist"? Well it is to dance with gay abandon but specifically to "wine" as only Trini women can. Yes we are talking about the abilities of Trini women to be able to 'wine well'.  If you are a novice then it is in your best interest to stand on the sideline and watch to avoid being embarrassed. These winers are naturally endowed with this talent to throw waist and in many cases it can look like a bull rider who eventually gets thrown while attempting to tame the gyrations of this wild creature. If you think I am joking then go and try your luck.  When the music starts and with a 'chook here and a chook there' and you hear the singer ramajay and say "Gyal move your behind", you better move it or get swept away by a tsunami of sweeping waist movements - it just may be the thing the doctor ordered for you or you just may need a doctor to heal your bruised ego.

If this question is asked of any Trini woman the plain and simple truth is that to throw waist is to wine wine on the man or simply to wine and create honey for all 'long eye Trini men'. When I think about it Iwer sang about this wine wine wine wine and we are not talking about red wine for drinking but wine as in throw waist! Take a moment to listen to the track now.

Iwer George feat. Ziggy Rankin - We Like It - 2009 Coconut Tree Riddim

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"Broughtupsy"|Yuh is ah Trini

Triniglish|Trinididioms spoken and explained #22

Yuh is ah Trini|If yuh know about Broughtupsy

Brouthtupsy. Now tell me that this word isn't fitting for what is taking place in Trini land these days. Lawlessness prevails and the society is complaining that the government is not doing the job. Maybe so but aren't we, as citizens, responsible for the manner in which we interact with each other? Now we have to discuss broughtupsy or the lack thereof. Let's make it short and sweet and include it in this "Yuh know yuh is ah Trini" series.

Ok to the point broughtupsy is like saying "manners make-th man" and it has to do with politeness and our ability to practice good etiquette within the society  that we live. Yes we are talking about good manners and a time in Trinidad it was normal to hear people and children in particular saying 'good morning and good evening' when they came into contact with elders in the society that they knew. If you did not greet these individuals with respect and work got back home then 'crapo smoke yuh pipe eh'. Yes there was a time in Trini land when civics lessons were taught in schools and the society functioned well. Today all of that has changed.

People today have no respect for others as was the case in the past - they don't have any brougthtupsy. As children growing up at home they were not taught good manners and were even encouraged to cuss people who look at them for more than three seconds, "What the f**k is your problem".  It is appalling to hear these children speaking in this manner but these are the signs of the times that we live in.  However, does it really have to be this way? Can we change? There is always hope and it begins with each one of us. 

Think we before me and  maybe then we could make a dent in this lack of brouthtupsy that is plaguing our society. If we begin to respect each other then we are on our way to a better society. Respect is the key. 

Now I am aware that I did not poke any fun into the article but there is a time and place for everything. Having said that we can recall as children a very beautiful young lady passing by and the guys would sooth, whistle or even make a feeble attempt to get her attention. When she did not respond or be all that they wanted her to be she was treated with scorn and contempt. She was ridiculed and her beauty dissipated in their foolish eyes. That act of insolence my friend, is a classic case of a lack of broughtupsy. 

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"Fresh and outa place" & "Too damn farce"|Yuh is ah Trini

Triniglish|Trinididioms Spoken and Explained #21

Yuh is ah Trini if you understand the terms "Fresh and outa place" & Yuh too damn farce"

Something interesting happened while I was at work watching the chat in one of the chat boxes. Someone, in reference to a post by another person, remarked, "He too fresh and outa place". Immediately I thought that the ideal phrase to compliment that statement was "he is too damn farce". Now the thing about Trinis is that they use these common phrases every day without thinking about the meaning and application; it simply flows with the conversation. Today I decided to put my friends to the test. 

"Look ting, what wrong with the boi? He fresh and outa place. Yuh mean he to damn farce." Now that was the hook to catch my fish... Not salt-fish because that is something that I really like providing it is done 'just right'. Oh gosh forgive me, but salt-fish always does this to me. 

The test was a very simple one and I went straight into the shout box and asked the question: What is the difference between these two phrases, "fresh and outa place" and "he too damn farce". In other words I basically asked the people in the box to explain the meaning of both phrases. There was quiet and the regular pops that indicated new posts were made to the box screeched to a halt. Eventually one person replied, "I don't know Santi(wah). I still had hope watching the box for some king of hint to see if my Trini peeps know what they say when they say it. That reminds me, I should really revive "Dey Say and Dem Say" those conversations were really fun. Ok back to the subject being discussed. 

It was karma, the Trini heavens opened and my friend Lee aka Sandiego Lee typed in the box:

"Insolence and nosiness". Bingo right on mark... kudos to my friend Lee. I know there had to be a 'smartman' in the box. Smart-man but not as in someone who would trick you to have his way OK. We will take the meaning in a literal sense. 

"Fresh and outa place". Insolence - disturbing quality of being offensive, rude, inappropriate, impolite and disrespectful.

"Too damn farce". Nosey - offensively curious or inquisitive.

I am smiling now because if one should take the opportunity to really listen to the way we speak then there is sweetness in the accent but joy when one can understand the tone of the conversation. We are special and it goes without saying that the same applies for the rest of the Caribbean region.

I just love my country; I simply love the way we speak and I don't intend to change for anyone. Trinidadians who adopt the lingo and accent of another country don't realize that they are giving up something that many people consider sweet and would simply love to speak similarly but most of all understand the way we communicate our feelings and thoughts with one another. Word to the wise... Don't become a "Fresh Water Yankee". Hey that could very well be my next post.
Apocalypse Tuff-Grip case cover for Apple iPhone 4G / 4 - Brown - Guardian

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"We Like it so"|Yuh is ah Trini

Triniglish|Trinididioms Spoken and Explained #20

Yuh is ah Trini|We Like it so

Do you remember the days when the slang everyone used was simply "We like it (so)"?  You can't?  Well if you can't then that is a crying shame and you should be stripped of your bragging rites that "yuh ah Trini 2D Bone". Oh so you are Trini and you understand the slang "we like it (so)"!  Well if you can recall, the song that bedazzled the nation was sung by one of our sauciest calypsonians, the disco daddy, Lord Nelson aka Nello. He took the phrase 'we like it' and made it a household sing along in the Caribbean region and in Caribbean communities in North America and England.

We like it just like that anything that happened and was accepted without complaint was affixed the phrase 'we like it (so)'. The phrase 'we like it' was used to the hilt as it related to anything political. If the people should complain about the lack of a service or the inability of the government to provide services then those who were against would reply, 'we like it (so)'.

When people were saying we like it (so) with reference to the lack of services provided by the political party in office everyone said "we like it so". This was said because we did not care about representation but only about political affiliation regardless of the fact that we did not get the services we desired. Indeed politics was and still is a dirty game and to this day we have not changed - yes, we like it so.

Now this may not have been the reason for Nello putting pen to paper and coming it with his "we like it" melodious rendition but it sure fits the bill. The term is not used much today but one can sometimes be pleasantly surprised hearing the phrase used. The reply to this statement would go something like this, "Ent yuh know!" As a matter of fact there was a resurgence of the phrase for the last general elections and surely we will be hearing it again with another round of elections on the way again.

The song can be heard on Wack Radio fairly regularly and every Tuesday is the request segment for the week that you can call into the station to hear the song but it you came to this post then you can listen to the track below along with the remake by Machel and Nello. Enjoy!

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"Yuh know the song "(Man for) Kim"|Yuh is ah Trini

Triniglish|Trinididioms Spoken and Explained #19

Yuh is ah Trini|If you know the song "Man For Kim"

This song created such a stir when it was realised that one had to be very careful singing the song. This is classic Double Entendre which always has some form of sexual connotation attached to it. Just the name of the song when spoken causes one to pause and remark, "What de hell id dat". Kim was sung by just about anyone but one had to be careful not to get in trouble with it like a lot of persons did.

"He want ah man for Kim" really was not said slowly or with proper pronunciation but done in typical Trini fashion. It rolled off the tongue in such a manner that the "for Kim" was blurred into one word with an "uk" sound inserted with a mischievous smile (use your imagination).

This song was very popular with the people but the radio stations were very careful with airplay for this very suggestive song that was sung by Lord Shorty (The man who created the music genre known as Sokah (known as Soca today). The year was 1976 and the LP was "Sweet Soca Music". The name of song is simply "Kim" and is song #3 on the B side.

I have posted a copy of the track for your listening pleasure. If you never heard the song before please understand that he is saying: "He want ah man for Kim". Yes, please take your mind out of the gutter...

Kim by Lord Shorty

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"As long as ah get it ah happy"|Yuh is ah Trini

Triniglish|Trinididioms Spoken and Explained #18

If you could understand the meaning of "As long as ah get it (ah happy)"

Did you get it? Well if you did then you should have a smile on your face. You should be very happy. Well some women may not be happy but bet yuh bottom dollar all the men will be happy and smiling for some time. "As long as ah get it ah happy" in the heart of the Trini male means one thing only but you may beg to disagree for the sake of argument and I will take the fifth on that one. 

Well someone told me that 'I am on meh own' when it comes to explaining what the guy is so happy about. Another person said that it is unmentionable. Hold on now... Are we on the same page and talking about the same thing?

This is what a friend of mine termed a 'Trinididiom' with the meaning skewed to be devilish. What is it that so many men always want and will do almost anything to get... The desire, the chase to get it is an amazing thing indeed. The result has been the demise of many men. We seek, we court, we do ah ting and more just to get it... Did you get it?

Do you remember the line, "If preacher nah pick it" oops well yes we are talking about the proverbial cherry blossom.  If you caught my drift then you would realize that it is indeed delicious and something that does amazing things for the male ego. If you are only mouth and yuh get but did not use it properly then crapo smoke yuh pipe pardna... That is, if you are that lucky. 

Why beat around the bush (wrong choice of word?) ahem sorry. Well if you are a Trini then there is no doubt that you know and understand what "As long as ah get it ah happy" means. If you don't then go to www.dlime.blogspot.com where you will meet a bunch of fun loving Trinis who will explain the meaning if by now you did not 'get it'.

However, one of the best ways to get the handle on it is to hear it from the horse's mouth, as it is said in Trini land. This is the opportune moment to listen to Ronnie McIntosh with his classic song (as long as ah get it ah) "Happy".

Happy by Ronnie McIntosh

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"Yuh Scratched yuh bottom because yuh had worms"|Yuh is ah Trini

Triniglish|Trinididioms Spoken and Explained #17

Yuh is ah Trini|Yuh had worms as a child and scratched yuh bottom when nobody was looking

This one is interesting because I smiled when I decided to do the post. Why? The truth is that in my little world just about anything is considered funny. I can just see someone seeing the subject and saying, "What in heaven's name are they talking about?" Well some people may remark that this is simply disgusting... Disgusting you say well it gets better.

Not so long ago in Trini land the government in conjunction with the WHO(World Health Organization) had programs where they would go into the primary (grade) schools and administer drugs to kill worms and to flush them out of the children's system (it was that bad). Oh before I forget, weeks earlier we were given little cans (very small) to put some poop in to bring back to school. I suspect this was to check for worms and other parasites. 

I remember some things but the taste of that oil that I can recall now as chinaponium (of course the spelling is incorrect but it will suffice) was awful. After two drops on your tongue you were sent to another line where you were given a cup of Epsom salts to drink - Yuk. After that you were sent home. Let me tell you if you were foolish and did not immediately go home then you were guaranteed to poop your pants - gravy style.

Well back to the subject of scratching yuh bottom when nobody was looking. In the villages this was common.  A scratch here or there was no big deal but I believe that not all of it was because of worms. People had to deal with latrines not toilets. The main material used for cleaning up after using the latrine was gazette paper. I now have a very silly grin as I write this because this is where you ask, "What is gazette paper?" Well if you are a true Trini you should be smiling now however if you are not then here it is... Gazette paper was the news paper! Yes that hard paper was used to get the job done. Oh yes, black bottoms resulted from the ink used to print the news paper. In other word if you did not pay attention to cleaning up then dirt track could be the end result. A bottom that was not cleaned properly resulted in a good scratch bottom. If someone was caught scratching, people tended to say, "Like yuh have worms in yuh bottom or what?"

Those of us who had the experience (I forgot but my brother reminded me out it) there was a local brew that was used to get rid of the worms - worm grass. Now that did not smell good and the taste was even worse but as Lord Relator said in Kaiso, "D Worm Grass used to show the worm where to pass". This remedy my friends eliminated the scratching episodes. This local remedy dealt with shark infested waters and eliminated the discomfort and sickly feeling that came with worm infested guts. Trust me that local brew works better than the stuff you get at the pharmacy. 

I do hope that you read this with a smile and not with a look of disgust on your face. It was a fact of life then... today we can joke about it. So in the end if you recalled any of this then my friend, "you know that you are a true Trini". Now let's take a listen to Relator singing about "Bush Medicine".

Bush Medicine by Lord Relator

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"Ah Diggin' Horrors"|Yuh is ah Trini

Triniglish|Trinididioms Spoken and Explained #16

Yuh is ah Trini| "Ah Diggin Horrors"

"Trinis could dig horrors eh"...  Yes, only in Trinidad and Tobago can one dig horrors . In general people find very unique ways to express their feelings. Trinis, on the other hand, put words together that sometimes makes one wonder what in heaven's name was going through the mind of the person who coined the phrase (a Trinididiom). Ah digging horrors is one of those phrases that will leave you wondering...  What is really going on here?

To be honest 'yuh have to be ah Trini to quickly grasp this one'. In the end you will realize that when "yuh dig horrors', Trini style, it makes you feel the Caribbean flavor that makes one yearn to return to the homeland not 'to dig horrors' but to soak up some of this very special culture that paints these 'Trinididioms' in our hearts and minds forever.

To dig for something connotes a search for something; like to dig for yam or plough the land to plant (yuh dig up d'ground to ensure that the soil is turned and growth is possible in loose soil). Hmm, sounds like a plan right - wrong! When someone, especially a Trini is 'digging horrors' then something is very wrong - life is not the same and we are very upset about something.

Trinis dig horrors when they are vexed or simply confused and stressed. Take the instance of the young man who is in love with this young lady only to find out that she is 'creeping' with his best friend; you guessed it, this Trini begins to dig horrors as he falls into a tabanka pit - horn eh nice nah!

Another case is that of another young man who just got pay but because he thinks he is smarter than the hustler on the block starts to gamble playing brag or knock rummy (terms confusing?) and he loses his pay check. This 'is pain' as 'they say' [and they are always saying (as in complaining) in Trini land] lately and the family definitely with be "diggin' horrors" because someone else was smarter that Mr. Chupidee - time to start "diggin' horrors"

There you have it, "ah diggin' horrors" is simply a case of severe stress, pain, frustration that does not seem to have a feasible ending. The situation is one of distress fraught with anger and disappointment. Having said that we can now take a listen of a remake of Sparrows classic "Ah digging horrors" done by RemBunction with cameo performances by Roy Cape and the bard himself Slinger Francisco aka Mighty Sparrow, calypso king of the World.

The Multi-Cultural Cuisine of Trinidad & Tobago & the Caribbean

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"Yuh know about the "Hairy Bank"|Yuh is ah Trini

Triniglish|Trinididioms Spoken and Explained #15

Yuh is ah Trini|If yuh know about  D'Hairy Bank

To save or not may not be the entire question but the end product for success in a society that encourages deposits in various financial institutions for future investments. A loan could fill the gap if you are credit worthy but in the case of the 'hairy bank' deposits could become a costly exercise that may eventually result in the demise of an individuals financial security. How could this be and why should making a secure deposit result is financial chaos? Well someone recently remarked that making a deposit to the "Hairy Bank" never realizes interest but it was interesting to note that the euphoria that comes from the first deposit quickly dissipates as the investment begins to grow resulting, in some cases, in severe stress and the realization that your life will never be the same again!

It is very interesting to note that a larger percentage of the hairy banks are run by voluptuous sexy women but then again some institutions that are simply 'laissez-faire' with their services don't care what the banker looks like providing that the depositors keep returning to make regular deposits. Some of the depositors don't care is the bank is stinky or is cleaned on a regular basis. When they desire to deposit nothing else matters. A good hairy banker knows her clients well and will capitalize on the needs and desires of the depositors providing the service from not so clean to highly brushed and polished for the discerning clients.

Initially the desire to deposit regularly is encouraged and both the depositor and the banker are very pleased. The relationship blossoms until another depositor makes a more substantial investment.  Oh this hairy bank is one of the most interesting places that mostly Trini males use to satisfy their desire to feel like a man. In the end they unwittingly put all their money in the hairy bank - "Ah broken pardna because all meh money gone to the hairy bank". Yes indeed he is a hairy banker making investments into a black hole where the light is never at the end of the tunnel - if ever there is an end to any of it. So what is and where is this bank located? Take a listen and determine for yourself.

The song is of the double entendre variety and having said that you could only imagine looking at a woman (the bank) from the top to the bottom and somewhere in the middle of everything lies the answer. The downfall of the banker lies not in the bank itself but the desire to continually deposit without thinking of the consequences of his actions. Hope this helps...

Apple iPod touch 32 GB, Case, and Charger Bundle

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"Yuh know how to 'take ah Cow-Boy'|Yuh is ah Trini

Triniglish|Trinididioms Spoken and Explained #14

Yuh is ah Trini|If yuh know how to take ah Cow-Boy!

Trust me with this one back in the day when bathing with warm water meant using Water that was sitting out in the sun in a tub or barrel coated with tar it was a given to take a cowboy if the water was cold. But then again yuh might be in a rush or it might have been late in the evening and you had to face the water coming out of the public stand pipe - that water was really cold my friend - a cowboy was a given. No questions asked and not explanation was needed. 

Bathing by the Pipe was a special event during the day when the sun was really hot. If you were not using a Frico or Klim pan then it was a basin borrowed from the kitchen. Those were fun days and one had to keep an eye out for the water police. It was not a problem bathing at the pipe during these hot times.  However, later in the evening, taking a bath was an ordeal with that cold pipe water. How did we take care of that? You guessed it a Cow-Boy. 

A cow boy was a quick wash-up sometimes with a damp wash cloth to clean under ones arm pits and between the private areas. Finally a good wash of cloth and cleaning of the face and you had a complete Cow boy bath. This version of the cow boy bath was better than the ones in the western movies when only a wash cloth was used to clean around your neck and armpits. I guessed Trinis were a little bit 'more civilized' eh. 

Well the quick wash up got the name Cow Boy in Trini land. It was and is as simple as that but don't call it a quickie (not not that quickie) just call it a Cow Boy.

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"Batimamselle"|Yuh is ah Trini

Triniglish|Trinididioms Spoken and Explained #13

Yuh is ah Trini|if you know what is ah Batimamselle

A combination of the English term "Batty" and French Mamselle were united to come up with batimanselle. I am still confused and can’t understand how this very strange combination was coined. Rest assured though  it was one that rolled off the lips of the children in Trinidad. Somehow they combined Batty, a reference to crazy, odd, eccentric and the patois term for woman (mademoiselle, mamselle) to form the word battimamselle that somehow was meant to describe the erratic flying  patterns of the Dragon fly.

Well if you did not know a battimamselle is the famous dragonfly. The person who coined the term must have been very upset with his spouse or girlfriend and had to be inebriated after drinking some good babash to have coined the term to describe the Dragonfly. 

As children we would go to the areas where the batimamselles would be dipping into the water while hovering and mating - the double-decker batimamselles. We would use our make shift nets to swoop down and skim the water to catch our batimamselles. That was fun but in the end we released these erratic flying ladies back to the brush to continue with their water rituals.
Dictionary Source:http://www.amazing-trinidad-vacations.com/trinidad-and-tobago-dictionary.html

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"Yuh know how to mop ah drop"|Yuh is ah Trini

Triniglish|Trinididioms Spoken and Explained #12

Yuh is ah Trini| "Yuh know how to mop ah drop"

"Boi look at de mess yuh make... Get the mop and clean up de floor." All right I guess most of us have "made ah mess in de house" and had to clean up. The mop became your best friend because during that period we did not have bounty to "clean up de mess". Well my friends in the land of calypso and steel pan the mop as you know it does not apply when a Trini "Mop ah Drop".

Well don't scratch your head because if you have to question the term "to mop ah drop" then you won't have a clue and will forever be kept in the dark unless you are fortunate to come into contact with a Trini who would smile and explain the term to your confused and inquisitive mind.

"To mop ah drop", "to hustle ah ride" or "simply looking for ah freeco" simply means to get a free ride in a vehicle. It does not matter if it is a taxi or a private vehicle for hire or even your neighbor's car. This is not a case of planning to go someplace with a friend with a car and he volunteers to use his car. In the case of "mop ah drop" you put yourself in place to surprise the driver to get a ride someplace (hoping that he is going your way).

Some people have in down to a science and will always be in place to "mop ah drop". Have you ever done it? Well most Trinis have done it at some time. Now you know that to "mop ah drop" simply means to get a ride in a car from someone who had no plan to take a passenger along for the ride. There you go. Now you need to go and "mop ah drop" even thought you could pay the taxi for the service. Do it just to experience the Trini way of doing things.

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