I was super excited when I came across these 19 Jamaican Patois Expressions and they definitely changed my life…at least as far as Jamaican Patois/Slang goes. Some of the expressions, I knew, but others were new. It just goes to show you that you learn something everyday. I wish I could take credit for compiling this list, but no. So BIG UP to Jamaican Princess. Read, Re-Read and Study this list… it will definitely help you the next time you are in Jamaica or need to speak with Jamaicans.
If yu caan ketch tief, yu ketch him shut ( shirt) - If someone does you bad and you cannot get revenge, you take revenge on someone close to them
If yu waan good, yu nose haffi run – If you want to succeed, you must work hard for it
Provocation mek dummy talk - When you constantly provoke a person, they will take out rath and anger at you
All who don’t hear mus feel – If you do not listen to what you are told, there will be consequences
A nuh every ole’ pan knock yu fi dance – Not every social event is to be attended
Empty barrel mek di most noise – Ignorant people make the most unnecessary and irrelevant noise
Mi trow mi corn but mi no call no fowl – when you are speaking about a person but you do not specify that you are talking about them, when in fact, it is really them you are gossiping about.
Calaloo a sway fi ol lady, but ol lady a plan fi run yu belly - When you plan to do someone bad,but that person has a better plan for you
Rain a fall but dutty tough - Times are hard
Trouble no set like rain – You cannot predict when trouble will arise
Wah sweet nanny goat a go run him belly - things that bring pleasure to you too much, will bring sorrow in the long run
Yu caan wash yu dutty linen inna public - Do not tell people every detail of your personal life
Yu finga tink yu caan chop it off – Never neglect your own
What stay too long serve two masters - Anything ( for instance food) that is left too long will end up being eaten or used by someone else
Box bread outta yu mout’ – When someone else takes away an opportunity from you
Nuh likkie likkie no beggie beggie – Do not be too greedy and do beg too much
Gyal/Bwoy kiba yu mouth’- Boy/girl keep your mouth shut!
Nuh mek people wash dem mout’ pon yu – Do not let people speak negative things about you
Dem mussi put yu so- When something bad occurs, and people speculate that it is voodoo or witchcraft.
[Source: http://jamaicaprincess.blogspot.com/]