Barbados Proverbs That Will Come In Handy

In Barbados you will frequently find that many of the local population like to use proverbs in their conversation. I for one have on numerous occasions wondered what my wife’s cousins were saying, as they are rather found of using proverbs or local slang, as I would call it.

Bajan local slang, proverbs or dialect what ever you prefer to call it, is like a foreign language because it can be a wee bit tricky to figure out what is being said, when someone is talking it to you. I have on many occasions needed my wife to translate things for me.

I have listed a few of the most commonly spoken proverbs for you to get you going and fortunately they are fairly easy to learn.

One side o’ yuh mout telling lies pon de other.
Your lies are finding you out.

Sensible man doesn’t pull off ‘e jacket till e’ gine sleep.
A very wise man does not start anything until he is quite ready.

He can’t dance.
He is illiterate.

Peter pay fuh Paul and Paul pay fuh all.
Someone, innocent or not, will suffer for the wrongdoings of others.

Yuh en worth wha’ Paddy shot at me.
You are worthless.

You kill me dog I kill you cat (tit fuh tat)
If you hurt me in one way I will hurt you in another.

De longer yuh live de more yuh hear.
This is used as a reaction to surprising news.

Wha got blood got feelings.
Anybody can be hurt, or be made to feel good or bad.

Wha yuh do in de dark does come out in de light.
You can’t hide all your actions.

Far off’ gree best.
When people are not constantly near each other, friendship last longer.

Have fun learning these Barbados proverbs, you can even try of few of them out when you get here. I have another article that I wrote which will also be handy for any visitors who are planning on coming to Barbados 20 Bajan Words That Will Make Your Trip to Barbados More Fun.

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