JAMAICA DICTIONARY: Q-R

Do all your Jamaican friends laugh at you every time you open your mouth and try to speak Jamaican? Jamaicanize your vocabulary here with our words that start with Q-R. If you don't see a term, tell us and we'll put it up.

Q

Quashi : a peasant

Quips : a small portion

Quing-up : to compress

Quattie : of no value, the term is derived from the name that was given to the 1/2 penny that was used in Jamaica during Britsh rule.

R

ay ray: similar to saying "etc etc"

rawda: rather

raw: hungry, outspoken, direct

ratbat: fruit eating bat

ratchet: a switchblade knife

rathid: a term used in suprise, similar to Ooh Noo

rail up: get excited

red yeye: envious,impudent, out of order, arrogant selfconfidence

renk: foul smell, raw

rispeck due: Respect due, the term is used a special recognition to a person

risto: an aristocrat, an upper class person

ruff: rough

run boat: outdoor cooking with food gathered amongst friends on a short notice

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Related links
• Read "Fe real by Pauline" for Patois articles with a standard English translation
• Join ther members talking patois on the Coodeh message board.