Every parish in Jamaica boasts its own distinct way of speaking, a colourful tapestry woven from unique accents, idiomatic expressions, and phrases that resonate deeply with the locals. This linguistic diversity is a reflection of the island’s rich cultural heritage.

In the Jamaican countryside, language is more than just a means of communication; it’s a reflection of identity, community, and history. The way people speak in these areas often carries the soul of the parish, infused with local traditions and customs that have been passed down through generations.

How many of these sayings have you heard or used yourself?

1. Me Beh Weh– This phrase means, “I’ve been wanting to do something” or “I’m going somewhere specific.” If you’ve heard this, you were likely in some area of St Elizabeth, and someone was casually sharing their plans, which may or may not happen later or even tomorrow, who knows?

2. Favva Lakka Seh– Translating to “It looks like”. This term has been claimed by persons from Trelawny and is perfect for describing anything from people to animals to objects. The opportunities to use it are endless. Example: It fava lakka say unuh never know say a Trelawny peple slang dis.

3. Dung a Dutty– St Bess slang is backa again. This literally means “on the ground”. So, if you’re searching for something and hear this, just look down.

4. Laada bag– Imagine our surprise when we realised ‘laada bag’ isn’t a term used by all Jamaicans. If you were ever sent to the shop as a child, you know the importance of these small black plastic bags. Non-rural people say ‘scandal bags’. But before they were banned, laada bags were our shopping bags and were stored in the house. Your grandmother or mom typically has a drawer filled with them.

5. Deh– This versatile word can mean “there” or be used in the phrase “mi deh go,” meaning “I’m going to.” Whether you’re in Clarendon, Trelawny or St James, you’re probably familiar with this handy expression.

6. Kibba Yuh Yabba– Chances are you’re from St Mary if you’re familiar with this phrase. If you’re being told this, just know you should stop speaking immediately. Your peers, family members or even a random person might say this to you but the meaning still remains. It’s typically said when you want to let someone know you’re talking too much.

7. Nae– The possibilities for using this are endless. It could mean “wasn’t”, “never” or “didn’t”, depending on the context it’s used in. For example: “Mi nae go dung deh” which translates to “I didn’t go down there” or “mi nae go go wid dem” which translates to “I wasn’t going to go with them”. If you are familiar with this phrase, chances are, you are from deep rural areas.

8. Him– If you’re a female and someone is calling you this, they aren’t trying to disrespect you. Typically in rural areas “him” is used to refer to anyone. Man or woman it doesn’t matter. If you want to say that you see someone at a particular place just use “him” instead, it works just the same.

9. It (eat)– For some, this is the natural way to pronounce “eat.” Even though “it” usually refers to an object, when someone says this, they’re just letting you know they’re hungry. Example: Mi cudda “it” a hot patty right now.

10. Smarry – No, this isn’t about wedding bells. In Clarendon, this word simply means “somebody” or “someone.” It’s just another way of referring to a person. “Smarry tell me say you did a look fi me”.

These phrases are more than just words; they’re a reflection of Jamaica’s rich cultural tapestry. How many do you recognise and which ones did we miss?