Real Trini Sayings

Here's a few words and sayings used in Trinidad and Tobago:

Backayard: Refers to the crude and unsophisticated way that some people behave and talk.Used to describe uncouth persons.

Trini Slang

The Trini language or dialect is awesome!So here is another noteworthy phrase or slang... "Who in the kitchen does feel the heat". This means only those who are going through a certain experience (e.g. unfaithful spouse) are the ones who know what it is like. Those on the outside can say what they like but they are not the ones going through it, they're not feeling the 'heat'(e.g the pain, heartbreak of the unfaithfulness in the marriage).

Trini proverbs and Sayings

I've decided to add a few trini sayings or proverbs. 1. "Don't count egg in fowl bottom". This is almost the same as 'don;t count your chickens before they hatch'. Therefore it means don't count on things working out a certain way until you see it happens.
2. "Peas doh bear corn"(peas don't bear corn). It means that a person's offspring is just like that person in character or looks.
So enjoy these witty sayings! I am presently researching some of the newer sayings that are making the rounds now. Language as we know is dynamic always changing evolving and some sayings/ phrases of yesteryear are rarely used by trinidadians at present. These newer sayings are still very unique and are becoming part of our trini dialect. These will be released in time.

More Trini Sayings

I really forgot to post some more Trini sayings a long time ago, so here they are...
1. Playing dead to catch corbeau alive - A corbeau is a large bird that is a scavenger. It only eats dead animals and the like. So the only way to catch one is to pretend to be dead. This saying means in order to 'catch' someone at something you need to play the 'game' until the person is 'caught'.

2. Friend + Enemy = Frien-e-my (fren-ee-me). This says it all but still I'll say it: refers to an enemy who pretends to be your friend.

3. Stress + Pressure = Stressure (stress- shah). A beautiful trini word to express (you guessed it) extreme stress and pressure aka hardship.

4. When you can't get Mammy, take Granny. This means to make do with what you have until you can get what you want.

5. Dotish or too-tool-bay. Means stupid, foolish, idiot etc

There are many unique Trini sayings that have been passed down for years. Some of them are newer like frien-e-me and stressure. These sayings are part of our rich, complex, diverse and vibrant Trini culture. Another aspect of our culture is Carnival. So my next post will be undoubtedly about Carnival...

It's a trini thing

Was unable to post due to the kids and myself being really sick. So I had a lot of time to think about this post. So here goes, sort of humourous. Hope you enjoy!
It's a trini thing:
1.to leave home late for work/school and want the taxi/maxi to speed/ drive recklessly to reach on time and be vex (swell the mouth/ pout, cuss/use obscene) if the driver don't.
2. for males to call women according to their ethnicity- reds, darkie, dougla, spanish...
3. to eat a snack ....then lick the inside of the wrapper.
4. for parents to call their children 'mother' and 'fadder' instead of the other way around.
5. to drink and 'lime'(hang out).....especially when a storm looms, many say 'God is a trini', so an imminent natural disaster is an occasion to celebrate. The rumshops, bars, pubs are full at those times.
6. to dig your nose anywhere!
7. for maxi touts to call women over 30 'tantie', 'moms', etc. General terms include 'small man' (a little boy), 'family', grannie, pops, grandpa etc.
Remember not all and every trinbagonian will/ have done these things listed above. These are just some quirky habits of some folks who live in tnt, not all.

TRUE TRINI SAYINGS

Today the thought occurred to me to explore some of our true trini sayings and their sometimes not so subtle meanings. Take for instance "Seepaul luck is not Gopaul luck". What does this mean? This simply means that what one person might get away with another person may not be quite so lucky. One of my favourites is "You see the animal but you don't know the beast". This means that someone is putting up a front and showing the meek and mild side of his/her personality but that personal has not shown his/her beast qualities as yet. So think about these 2 sayings and they are quite true is every sense. For example there are things which other folks have managed to pull off but I did'nt get through and was caught. So be careful in all that you do and say. If you know of any other witty trini sayings and what they mean please drop me a line. Thanks!
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