Remember those wise old saying our Grandparents use to tell us? E-mail your grauma saying here Or correct our translation & meaning.
Emty crocus bag kant stan up
The next one submitted by: cbydsign
Falla-fashin monkey cahn buy good soup guh dung a gully go eat dutty soup"
The next one submitted by: [email protected]
Blood tika dan wata but wata tase betta.
Lessa fowl,lessa shit
The next one submitted by: Miguel Myrna
HAG ME ASK EH MUMMA WHEY MEK EH MOUT SO LONG, EH MUMMA SAY NOH WORRY BABY WHEN YOU GROW UP YOU WAH FINE OUT.
The next three submitted by: KinkyKruffy
Plantain no eat like rice
Champagne dreams wid lime juice money
Dat one cut like panya machete.
The next two submitted by: James Stowes
ah chrow mo corn, but i nuh call no fowl
The next six submitted by: Deborah C.
LES TAK MO AXION.
A LIA IS FUGETFUL.
BLUD KANT BEE WAASH OUT WIT BLUD.
YO BORRO MONI, IE MEK ENEMI.
VINEEGA WEA FREE, IE SWEETA DAN HONEE.
IE NO SEH IE OWN BUTTAMILK SOWER.
IF YO NO CHEK DI WATA, NO TECK OFF YO SHOE.
The next one submitted by: [email protected]
The next two submitted by: Mel
Wen dah tree ben yu can't straiten ah.
The next two submitted by: [email protected]
"Ebre pat gat e kibber"
The next one submitted by: [email protected]
The next one submitted by: Mista Twin Shyne
The next one submitted by: [email protected]
Wha happen, stick bruk eena yu ears?
The next four submitted by Jamie Lord
Tiga must di bite.
Put two a deh enna wha bag a we wa si who wa come out fus.
Cut da lang bench shaut.
The next two submitted by: Carlisle
Yo giv weh yo ass ahn shit chu yo ribs
Whe dags no invited, bones no provided.
Yo bawn wit gold spoon ina yo mouth.
De dag dead now.
The next one submitted by Antonio Linaris
The next three submitted by Juliet
Changie blak dawg fu monki!!
U deh deh di baffu ah cahn gamma!!!
Croffie di ahn, de run da fya but run fra rain!!
WHEN A LET OUT ME ROASTA, PULL IN YU HEN & LOC DE FOWL CUBB
The next one submitted by [email protected] (Juana)
Every bully gat e catcha.
Hag live wit e gaddi.
Yu di hold lang bench.
Food weh no killing, fattening.
Fun bring bun.
Gawd neva gi yo mo dan whe yo cud bare.
Every day bucket go da well, di battom must drap out.
No stir up stinkin mud if yu cant stann the scent.
No count yu chicken befoe deh hatch.
No cry ova spill milk.
Di leaf no fall far fram di tree.
Yo hang witt di daug yo ketch di fleas.
If e nuh bun, e nuh dunn.
Di dauka di berry, di sweeta di juice.
E tauk big, but e sh*t small.
Wen daug havv money e eat cheez.
Yu wahn no how bauley grow.
Leev sleepin daugs alone.
Di wallz havv ears.
The following seven submitted by Neil Fraser
(Translation and meaning mine unless noted)
Breeze blow pelikin same place him wahn go.
Di higher monkey climb de more ahss he dey show.
Man hate you he gi you bahskit fo back wahter.
One one fill bahskit.
Kine wuhds neber bruk jawbone.
Coward man kip soun bone.
Tenk Gaad fu me mout no eena dis.
Munkey si, munkey du!
Si mi an live wit mi da tue difrant ting.
Who di shoe fit mek dey wear it.
Cackroach no go da fowl dance.
Empti krucus bag cant stan up.
Di sae ting weh sweet yu wahn sowa yu.
Man aada monki, monki aada e tail.
No call aligetta big mout til yu krass di riva.
Ful belli tel empti belli kip hart.
Fishaman nevva seh e fish stink.
Evry dae da no Sundeh.
The next one submitted by [email protected]:
The next one submitted by Jane L.
Yu gat to much a weh di kat lick e battam wit!.
E cold no daug nose.
Yu dressup no puss bak fut!
The following six submitted by the Mahlers.
Hass laze fu bac y grass wahn stauv.
Yu culd mek wa haas go fu wata, but yo ca fosa fu drink.
Ogly monki eat pretty mammie.
Da no who lauf fuss lauf best.
Ol log wod stump da road side.
The following one submitted by May H.
The next one submitted by RTRUJES@aol
Kiss Pauli red battam!
Yu wahn get am wen fowl gat teet.
The following four submitted by Neil Fraser
Ah wanda whey jankro do befo jekass dead?
Bad ting nevva got owner.
Dis ya time no stan like befo time.
Han napkin tun table clath.
The next one submitted by Jane L.
To much a wan ting gud fi nutting.
The following thirteen submitted by Neil Fraser
Greedy choke puppi.
If yu play wit puppi e lick yu mout.
Parson krissen e pickni fus.
Si mi an liv wit me da two diffrent ting.
Sickness come di gyallop but tek e own time fu waak weh.
Time langa dan rope.
No put mout pan it.
Trouble neba mek eself.
When cackroach mek dance e no invite fowl.
When fish come fram rivva battam an tell yu halligetter gat
bellyache you mus beleeve anh.
Wen man dead grass grow da e doe.
Wen man no gat nuttin fu do e go da sabana an tell cow maanin.
When pickni waan cry you only look pan dem an e cry.
The next four submitted by Hortense C.
Sake a mout fish get ketch.
No ebery ting weh gat shugah sweet.
John Crow tink 'e pickni white.
The next one submitted by May H.
Ah wanda weh jankro mi do befoe jakass dead?
Deh close like batty an chemba pat.
Bad ting nevva gat owna.
Barefoot tea betta dan empti belly.
Beg watah no bile cow skin.
Big word no bruk man jawbone.
Blud falla vein.
Cow shit pahn e tail, weh yu expect pahn di ground?
Cow know weh weak fence deh.
Da no one time monkey wahn wife.
Di eye a di masta fatten di calf.
Di man weh lif up haas tail no e batty red.
E deh eena puss an daug heven.
Evry bulli gat e catcha.
Falla-foot jumbie, you jump eena wata.
Finga nevva say look ya, e say look deh.
Fool-fool daug bark afta moonlight.
E fraid no puss.
Fowl shit white an tink e lay egg.
Gaad nuh like ugly.
The next one submitted by Tasha Reyes
Small rudda control big ship.
Slippry no okro.
Small ax fall big tree.
Same knife weh kill sheep kill goat.
Scarnful daug eat dutty puddin.
Nuh tek serious ting mek play.
Nuh evrything weh gat suga sweet.
Nuh heng yu hat higher dan yu can reach.
Mek yu slef floclath an pipple wahn wipe dehn foot pahn yu.
Married man da trouble man.
Me han no jine chuch.
Monkey know weh limb fi swing pan.
Kip yu ass in line wit yu heel.
Haste mek waste.
The following two submitted by Monique as told
Yu deh bout town like drif-about doggy.
The next one submitted by CorozalGal
The next one submitted by Ivy Pitts
Only daag bauk an chase.
Pat cuss kettle seh e battam black.
Teef nevva prospa!
Time langa dan rope.
E lie fasta tan haas trots.
Trouble neva mek eself.
Wen puss no deh, rat tek place.
The next one submitted by [email protected]
The next two submitted by Thomas Forster
The next one submitted by [email protected]
The next two submitted by Thomas Forster
The next one submitted by the Belizean Bandit
Grauma sayings (Proverbs) are different from Belizean Old Wive's Tales. See our tales here!
Remember: There could be more than one meaning in your family. So if the meaning is different from what you know please tell us. We'll add more than one meaning! Also from now on new "Sayings" will be placed on top.
The next one submitted by: [email protected]
An empty crocus bag cannot stand up.
Meaning: when you are extremely hungry you cannot work.
Follow-fashion monkey cannot buy good soup, so he goes down to the gully to eat dirty soup.
Translation: Keeping up with the Jones' - A jealous person will go to the utmost length to say that can do the same as you.
Blood is thicker than water but water taste better.
Meaning: Sometimes interacting with friends or strangers is less stressful than interacting with problematic or difficult relatives.
Lessor fowl,lesser shit
Meaning: Less people,less problems.
Hog asked his momma why is his mouth so long, His mother replied, don't worry baby when you grow up you will find out.
Meaning: You will learn more about yourself as you grow.
Plantian doesn't taste like rice.
Meaning: During hard times,one eats what is available even if it's not what one wants or is accustomed to.
Meaning: Wanting things that one clearly cannot afford,see also...no heng you hat hiya dan you cud reach.
That one cuts like panya machete.
Meaning: a person may seem duplicitious,a phony.in one gathering may take a certain stand , make certain statements or share a particular opinion, then contradicts or disclaims them when in another gathering.
when trouble ketch yuh pickney shut fit yuh
when you get in trouble, you fit into a child's shirt.
Meaning: When you find yourself in trouble, you will try to get out in imposible
ways.
i throw my corn but i don't call the fowl
Meaning: I say my piece but i call no names
NO STAP AH DONKI WEH YO NO OWN.
DON'T STOP A DONKEY THAT IS NOT YOURS.
Meaning: Mind your own business!
LITTLE TALK, MORE ACTION.
Meaning: Action speaks louder than words.
A LIAR IS FORGETFUL.
Meaning: A dishonest person can't remember to be consistent.
BLOOD CANNOT BE WASHED OUT WITH BLOOD.
Meaning: Two wrongs do not make a right.
DEBT SERVERS (IS THE SCISSORS OF) LOVE.
Meaning: Lend money to a friend, and he'll become an enemy.
VINEGAR THAT IS FREE, IS SWEETER THAN HONEY.
Meaning: People love getting something for nothing.
NO ONE SAYS HIS OWN BUTTERMILK IS SOUR.
Meaning: No one advertises his own faults.
WITHOUT INVESTIGATING THE WATERS, DON'T TAKE
OFF YOUR SHOE (TO WALK THROUGH IT)
Meaning: Look before you leap.
Yuh gat yuh han eena tiga mouth
You have your hand in the tiger's mouth
MEANING:THAT YOU ARE INVOLVING YOURSELF IN SOMETHING DANGEROUS
Every daag have eh day
Every dog has his day
Meaning: That whatever goes around comes right back, so your actions are
very valuable be careful what you say because sometimes it comes right back
at you.
When the tree is bent you cannot straighten it.
Meaning: That when a child is being spoiled and has grown up to be a man
that trying to change him would be too for the parent to do so; that's why it
is very important for parents to rise their kids the proper way
U di deh di gren lik chesnat kat
You are there grinning like a cheshire cat.
Meaning: You looking guilty of something.
Every pot has a cover
Meaning: There is a partner for everyone.
Yu coulda lie suga outta bun.
You could lie suger out of bun.
Meaning: You can tell alot of lies.
If dah no so, dah naily so.
If it's nt so, then its nearly so.
Meaning: If it's not all the way true it's almost close to
the truth.
Sorry fi marger dawg, marger dawg tun round bite yu.
If you're sorry for a meager dog, the meager dog will turn around and bite you!
Meaning: If you sympathize with someone, or you give them a help, they do not
appreciate the kindness, instead, they become your enemy.
Hawg meh ask e Mammie how it mout so lang. Yu de grow!
Hog asks his Mommy why her mouth is so long. Her response, "You are
growing".
Meaning: As you go through life you will understand things more clearly.
What happened, is there a stick broken in your ears?
Meaning: Are you hard of hearing or did you hear what I said?
The sins of the mother will fall upon the child.
Meaning: Children will bare the consequence of their mother (parent's) actions
Good soup neva meet good fufu
Good soup never meets good fufu
Meaning: Good things rarely co-occur. (Fufu are plantain dumplings)
The next one submitted by [email protected]
Yu blade a wonda if you bade.
You're blade, I wonder if you bathe.
Meaning: You're dressed up but did you take a bath?
Cut da rope shaut.
Cut the rope short.
Meaning: Don't take so long on the tiolet.
Tiger must be biting.
Meaning: When some one has a wedgy.
Put two of them in a bag and we will see who will come out first.
Meaning: Put two people with the same personality together to see who is
more determined to get ahead.
Cut the long bench short.
Meaning: Put an end to the long conversation.
If yo no listen, yo a've fu feel.
If you don't listen you will fee.
Meaning: If you don't heed good advice you will get hurt.
You give away your ass and shit through your ribs.
Meaning: People who give away too much and is left with little.
Weh bone nuh provided, dogs nuh deh.
Where bones are not provided, dogs are not invited.
Meaning: If you did not receive an invitation, you are not invited.
Yo act like yo have chinch ina yo ass.
You are acting like you have chinch in your ass.
Meaning: This was used to describe very active children that could not stay in one position for a very long time. It accused them of having bed bugs biting them so they could not keep still.
Where dogs are not invited, bones are not provided.
Meaning: Do not go to people's houses at dinner time(unless you were invited) because they did not make food for you. Also in general, do not make it a habit to go places where you are not wanted.
You were born with a gold spoon in your mouth.
Meaning: You were born to a family that is more financially fortunate that others.
The dog is dead now.
Meaning: This is the end of the party. All the good times have ended.
Todey fe mi, tomorrow fe you.
Today is for me, tomorrow is for you.
Meaning: Your day is today but sooner or later my day is coming.
One plate a dinna no fatten maaga dog.
One plate of dinner doesn't fatten meager dog.
Meaning: When things are bad, an isolated piece of luck doesn't help much.
Cow no bizniz ina haas galop!!
Cow does not belong in a horse's gallop.
Meaning: Mind your own business.
Exchanging a black dog for a monkey!!
Meaing: Making an exchange for something that's just as bad.
Trying to "baffu" but can't "gamma"!!
Meaning: Trying to accomplish something but can't get it done.
Creole run to fire but run from rain!!
Meaning: Some people are giddy.
Adam Bantan wipe e ass befo e sh*t.
Adam Banta wipes his ass before he sh*ts.
Meaning: Don't get too ahead of yourself. (Like counting chickens before they hatch)
DAWG WEH EAT EGG NEVA STOP.
The dog that is eating never stop.
Meaning: PEOPLE WHO HAVE BAD HABBITS FIND IT HARD TO LET IT GO.
Weh eyes nuh se, hart no greive.
What your eyes don't see, your heart won't greive.
Meaning: What you don't see won't hurt you.
WEH ME ERS NO HARE ME ASS NO COUNT
What my ears doesn't hear, my ass doesn't count.
Meaning: I have to hear it to believe it.
When I let out my rooster, pull in your hen and lock the hen house.
Meaning: Protect your family when danger is lurking.
IF YU NO LIKE DE COW HOW CAN U LIKE DE CALVES
If you don't like the cow how can you like the calves?
Meaning: IF YOU DONT LIKE THE MOTHER HOW WILL YOU LIKE THE CHILDREN
Dry weather friend or Dry weather house.
Meaning: A friend who deserts you in time of need. A leaky house.
Every bully has his catcher.
Meaning: Even a bully will get beat up.
Hog lives with its godmother.
Meaning: In hard times you live with a rich relative.
You're holding long bench.
Meaning: You're spending to much time (talking).
Man whe sh*t da pass no rememba, da who daab eena it.
Man who sh*t in the past don't remember, it's the one who steps in it.
Meaning: Someone who does something bad don't always remember what they did;
it's the person who it affects
Yu si mi crass!
You see my cross!.
Meaning: You see the tribulations you're putting me through (Like Jesus on the cross)
Show mi yu company and ah wha tell yu.
Show me your company (friends) and I'll who you are.
Meaning: You're judge by the company you keep.
No sell yu ass and sh*t tru yu ribs.
Don't sell your ass and sh*t through your ribs.
Meaning: Don't give away what you have and be left without.
The first fool isn't a fool.
Meaning: First deception in the real deception.
Food that's not killing is fattening.
If the food isn't bad for you then just eat it.
Fun will bring burn.
Meaning: Paid will come from to much fun.
(Note: We use to add the line: "Fun bring bun, till yuh Grauma tun (turn).
or submited by
[email protected]
Fun Bring Bun tel ya eye wata bun
Fun bring pain until you cry
Meaning: when you play around alot your going to get hurt
Aze haud pickney always feel.
Meaning: Children who don't listen to what their elders tell them always end up
in a situation where they get hurt or in trouble.
God never gives you more than you could bare.
Meaning: God never allows someone to carry more burdens in this life that what
they are capable of carrying.
(Hard of hearing child must go to the market twice)
Meaning: If you don't pay attention you may have to do the work twice.
(A tiger may be skinny, but his butt is strong!)
Meaning: A small person could still be powerful.
(The bottom of a bucket will eventually drop out after every day use.)
Meaning: Nothing will last forever.
(Don't stir up stinking mud if you can't stand the scent.
Meaning: Don't dig up a secret past if you can't take the consequences.
Don't count your chickens before they hatch.
Meaning: Don't count as certain what has not yet occured.
Don't cry over spilt milk.
Meaning: Don't worry about things that already happened.
The leaf doesn't fall far from the tree.
Meaning: An offspring have the same characteristics as their parents.
You hang with dogs, you'll catch their fleas.
Meaning: You hang around bad company, you'll get into trouble.
If it isn't burnt, it isn't done.
Meaning: If the food isn't well cook, it's not finished.
The darker the berry, the sweeter the juice.
Meaning: Comes from the notion that blacks are better in bed.
He talks big, but he sh*ts small.
Meaning: His mouth is big, but he can't back it up.
When a dog have money he eats cheese.
Meaning: When a person have money he buys things he normally wouldn't buy.
You will know how barley grows.
Meaning: You will understand/appreciate how hard it is to get/keep something.
Leave sleeping dogs alone.
Meaning: Leave things not messing with you alone.
The wall have ears.
Meaning: People may be listening.
Breeze blows pelican the same place he wants to go.
Meaning: The pelican is a carefree bird who never fights the winds. (Neil)
Also: Refers to someone who changes direction in opinion or decision to suit the moment.:(Thomas Forster)
The higher a monkey climbs, the more butt he'll show.
Meaning: The higher (up the the social ladder) a person gets,
more arrogant he becomes.
A man hates you if he give you a basket to carry water.
Meaning: A person doesn't like you if he gives you bad information.
One at a time will fill the basket.
Meaning: Persistence and attention to the task will get you there, even if slower. (Neil)
Kind words never break a jaw bone.
Meaning: You'll never get hit for saying something nice.
A coward man keeps some bone.
Meaning: Discretion is the better part of valor (Neil)
Thank God my mouth isn't in this.
Meaning: Thank God I'm not involved in this argument. (Neil)
Monkey see, Monkey do!
Meaning: Kinda like keeping up with the Jones, or you'll follow what your peers do.
Seeing me and living with me are two different things.
Meaning: Not yet ready for a commitment.
If the shoe fits, wear it!
Meaning: Whomever caused the trouble will have to deal with it.
Cockroach don't go to fowl's dance.
Meaning: Don't go where you don't belong.
Empty crocus bag cannot stand up.
Meaning: A weak person can't fend for himself.
The same thing that sweets you will sour you.
Meaning: What makes you happy can make you sad.
Man orders monkey, monkey orders his tail.
Meaning: A person given orders pass it on to someone else.
Don't call the alligator a big mouth until you've crossed the river.
Meaning: Don't mess with someone until you're safe.
Fully belly tells empty belly to keep heart.
Meaning: A well-off person tells a poor person to perservere.
Fisherman never says his fishes are stink.
Meaning: A person will never talk bad about his family or self.
Everyday isn't Sunday.
Meaning: Not every day is a day of rest.
One day bellyfull fatten maga daug.
One day belly full fattens a skinny dog.
Meaning: Eat everything in one day and don't think about the next day.
Yu Deh ride wahn high haas!
You're riding a high horse!
Meaning: Your attitude is demeaning.
You have too much of what the cat licks his bottom with!
Meaning: You have too much tongue (smart mouth).
It's cold like a dog's nose.
Meaning: It's very cold!
You're dressed up like a pussycat back feet.
Meaning: You're dressed to impress!
Chip no fall far fram de blak.
The chip doesn't fall far from the block.
Meaning: You are just like your parents.
Horse lazy to carry his grass will starve.
Meaning: If you don't work you won't eat.
You could make a horse go for water, but you can't force it to drink.
Meaning: You could encourage somebody, but can't make them do it.
Ugly monkey eats pretty mommy.
Meaning: The ugliest guy/girl gets the prettiest guy/girl.
It's not who laugh first laugh best.
Meaning: Similiar winning the battle but not the war.
Like an old wooden log sitting on the side of the road.
Meaning: A Good Samaritan who's always available when needed.
Neva drap di bone fi ketch di shadow.
Never drop the bone to catch the shadow.
Meaning: Stay satisfied with what you have.
If yu mek yu bed haad yu hav to sleep eena it.
If you make your bed hard you have to sleep in it.
Meaning: If you get yourself in trouble you have to face the consequences.
Kiss Pauly's red bottom!
Meaning: Leave me alone! (varies)
You'll get it when chickens grows a tooth.
Meaning: You'll never get it.
I wonder what the John Crow did before the jackass died?
Meaning:A comment on people who have suddenly obtained wealth.
A bad thing never has an owner.
Meaning: People will never assume responsibilty when something goes wrong.
This time is not like time before.
Meaning: This is not the good old days.
A hand napkin has turned into a table cloth.
Meaning: People risen above their station in life and are arrogant to others.
Mout seh anyting !!
Mouth can say anything.
Meaning: You talk too much! (Big mouth)
Too much of one thing is good for nothing.
Meaning: You'll get bored with the same thing over and over again.
Greedy choked puppy.
Meaning: Being greedy can get you into trouble.
If you play with a puppy he'll lick your mouth.
Meaning: Familiarity breeds contempt.
The parson christens his own child first.
Meaning: Charity begins at home.
To see me and to live with me are two different things.
Meaning: Not wanting to get too close to a friend.
Sickness comes in a hurry but takes its own time to leave.
Meaning: It's easier to get sick (corrupted) than healed.
Time is longer that a rope.
Meaning: Things will change eventually.
Don't put your mouth on it.
Meaning: Don't talk about bad luck or it might actually happen.
Trouble doesn't make itself.
Meaning: Be careful not to get into trouble.
When the cockroach holds a ball he doesn't invite chickens.
Meaning: Don't invite trouble.
When a fish comes from the river boottom and tells you the alligator
is hungry you had better believe him.
Meaning: Heed words of warning.
When a man dies the grass grows to his door.
Meaning: Dead mean are soon forgotten.
When a man has nothing to do he goes to the savannah to tell the
cows good morning.
Meaning: Idle people find silly things to occupy their time.
When a child wants to cry you need only look at him and he crys.
Meaning: Refers to people who complain about everything.
Wen rain come, John Crow sey 'e wen buil' house.
When it rains, the vulture talks of building a house.
Meaning: Refers to people who wait until disaster strike before taking action.
Because of it's mouth the fish got caught.
Meaning: Talking too much will get you in trouble.
Not every thing that has sugar is sweet.
Meaning: Don't be fooled by looks.
John Crow thinks his children are white.
Meaning: People who think their children are different.
Tiega tred easy pahn slippry slope.
Tiger walks carefully on a slippery slope.
Meaning: Becareful when in an unknown place or situation.
I wonder what the crow did before the jackass died?
Meaning: An arrogant person who found wealth.
They're close like a butt and toilet.
Meaning: Very close friends.
A bad thing never has an owner.
Meaning: People will not admit to their wrong doings
Barefoot tea is better than an empty belly.
Meaning: A little food is better than none.
Begging for water doesn't boil the cow skin.
Beggin doesn't solve your problem.
Big words don't break a man's jawbone.
Meaning: Words can't hurt you.
Blood follows your vein.
Meaning: Family comes first.
Cow shits on its tail, what do you expect on the ground?
Meaning: If a person can harm his family he will hurt you too.
The cow knows where the weakest part of the fence is.
Meaning: A bully know who to mess with.
It's not one time a monkey wants a wife.
Meaning: A man wants many sexual partner.
The eye of the master fattens the calf.
Meaning: People work better when being watched by the boss.
The man who lifts up the horse tail knows his butt is red.
Meaning: A person who is involved will know the truth.
He's in cat and dog's heaven.
Meaning: Somebody who is very happy.
Every bully has his catcher.
Meaning: Everybody has his match.
If you follow the ghost you'll jump in the water.
Meaning: Following bad folks will get you in trouble.
Your finger never say look here, it says look there.
Meaning: People never tell on themselves, they tell on others.
A foolish dog barks after the moonlight.
Meaning: Suspicious people worries about everything.
He's scared like a cat.
Meaning: Easily frighten like a cat.
The chicken shits white and think it's an egg.
Meaning: A person who thinks too highly of himself.
God doesn't like ugly.
Meaning: God will remember your bad deeds.
Cova a di book no tell di story!
Cover of the book don't tell the story!
Meaning: Don't pass judgment before becoming familiar.
Small rudder controls the big ship.
Meaning: A small person may have the better brain.
Slippery like an okro.
Meaning: Someone who is clever and cunning.
The small ax cuts down a big tree.
Meaning: Size is not important.
The same knife that kills the sheep kills the goat.
Meaning: What you do to others can happen to you.
The scornful dog eats dirty pudding.
When a finnicky person unknowningly eats something dirty.
Don't take a serious subject and play with it.
Meaning: Keep a serious subject serious.
Not everything that has sugar is sweet.
Meaning: What may appears good may not be.
Don't hang your hat higher than you can reach.
Meaning: Don't spend more than you could afford.
Make yourself to be a floorcloth and people will wipe their foot on you.
Meaning: People will exploit your weakness.
A married man is trouble.
Meaning: Fooling around with a married man is asking for trouble.
My hand didn't join the church.
Meaning: A good person will defend himself no matter what.
The monkey knows what limb to swing upon.
Meaning: People know their place (home).
Keep your ass in line with your heels.
Meaning: Have respect for others.
Haste makes waste.
Meaning: Rush things and you'll mess up.
to her by her beloved Great-grandma, Sita.
Yu noh know di use ah di wata til di well run dry.
You don't know the use of the water until the well runs dry.
Meaning: You don't know a what you have until its gone.
You're out all over town like a drifting dog.
Meaning: Maybe you should stay home sometimes.
Dah fool de talk but dah no fool de lissen.
It's a fool that is speaking, but it's not a fool who is listening.
Meaning: The smart person is the one who listens well.
Evry fat fowl ga ih day.
Every fat bird has its day
Meaning:Your bad deeds will catch up with you.
Only dogs bark and chase.
Meaning: You should do one thing at a time.
The pot curses the kettle saying it's bottom is black.
Meaning: People who find faults with others usually have faults themselves.
Thieves never prosper!
Meaning: A thief will never get ahead.
Time is longer than rope.
Things will change no matter how long it takes.
He lies faster than a horse trots.
Meaning: A person that lie very fast.
Trouble never makes itself.
Meaning: Be careful or trouble will come.
When it cat isn't there the rat occurs.
Meaning: When authority is gone other makes trouble.
Ah wahn be di goose weh pik di grass affayu grauma grave!
I will be the goose that picks the grass off your grandmother's grave!
Meaning: I will live for a long time. Therefore, be good to me.
Haas dead an' cow fat story.
Horse dead and cow fat.
Meaning: Refers to a convoluted and improbable story; tall tales.
"My aunt use to fire off that phrase when her children would comeouble.
Ah wahn be di goose weh pik di grass affayu grauma grave!
I will be the goose that picks the grass off your grandmother's grave!
Meaning: I will live for a long time. Therefore, be good to me.
Haas dead an' cow fat story.
Horse dead and cow fat.
Meaning: Refers to a convoluted and improbable story; tall tales.
"My aunt use to fire off that phrase when her children would come in with
weak lies and excuses to wheedle out of work or trouble: As in "No come
to me with yu hass dead and cow fat story."
Wen chikin merry, hawk ketch an befo daylite.
When a chicken is merry, a hawk will soon devour him before day light.
Meaning: Your joy may be short-lived if you are too careless.