Still More Dialectic Sayings of Trinidad and Tobago (Part Four)
by This is Part Four of the series on Trinidad and Tobago slang.
This is Part Four of “Dialectic Sayings of Trinidad and Tobago.” Trinidad and Tobago is a twin-island state just above the coast of Venezuela. It is the most southerly of all the Caribbean islands. Here are some more “Trini slang.”
(1) “Matter fix.”
This is said when you have everything organized.
(2) “That is a nancy story” or “That is a cock and bull story.”
This means you are being fed a story that is filled with lies.
(3) “Every bread has it cheese.”
No matter how undesirable or unacceptable a person is they have someone who thinks they are special.
(4) “What de eye doh see de heart doh grieve.”
What you do not know will not hurt you.
(5) “Who doh hear go feel.”
If you do not listen to good advice or warnings you will feel the consequences of your indifference. This is often said with reference to corporal punishment which is not illegal in Trinidad and Tobago.
(6) “Wha’ ears hear tongue shouldn’t know.”
Keep what you have heard a secret.
(7) “Better belly bust than good food waste.”
Translation: “I cannot eat any more as I am filled. However, it is better I over-eat than let the food go uneaten and be thrown away.”
(8) “Don’t bite de hand dat feed you.”
Do not be a traitor to the one who fed you.
(9) “Blood thicker than water.”
Your family and relatives are closer to you than a friend, neighbor or stranger.
(10) “Is who in de kitchen does feel de heat.”
Those who are closest to a bad situation will undergo the most strain.
So try out some of these proverbs on your “Trini” friends. It can be a great ice-breaker to use for strangers from the Caribbean. Learn them off and your “matters fix.”
For the first article in this series see:
http://trifter.com/caribbean-latin-america/ten-dialectic-sayings-of-trinidad-and-tobago/
For Part Two see:
http://trifter.com/caribbean-latin-america/more-dialectic-sayings-of-trinidad-and-tobago-part-two/
Part Three:
http://socyberty.com/society/more-dialectic-sayings-of-trinidad-and-tobago-part-three/
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