Jamaican Patois Words That Mean Something Totally Different Abroad!
Jamaican Patois is one of the most expressive and fascinating dialects in the world. Shaped by English, West African languages, and centuries of Jamaican history, many everyday words have meanings that are unique to the island. However, these same words can create awkward or even serious misunderstandings when Jamaicans travel overseas. A harmless expression back home may carry a completely different meaning in countries such as the United States, Canada, or the United Kingdom. If you're planning to travel or you're simply curious about the fascinating differences between Jamaican Patois and Standard English, here are two words you should know. 1. "Chink" or "Chinka" In Jamaica: If you wake up covered in itchy bites, you might hear someone say: "Chinka bite mi las' night." In Jamaican Patois, chinka simply refers to a bedbug . The word is believed to trace back to the Igbo word chīnchī , meaning bedbug, reflecting the s...