aback - some time ago in the past.

a la vive - Live bait ... Fishing with the use of live bait. (bait kept alive in a special water filled trough (containter/bucket))

all foes (all fours) - a card game played by four people in which points are: high, low, jack or hang-jack and game.

arrape - a fried mixture of cornmeal with meat.

bacalao - Spanish for saltfish (Preserved codfish, salted).

baggananya - Odds and ends.

bathe in the salt- take a sea-bath. (bathe in the sea).

bhaigan - eggplant (melongen).

beat books - to cram for a test/hit the books (study).

boof - to insult, yell at or argue with someone.

bush tea - a hot drink brewed from local herbs.

callaloo - a thick soup made of dasheen leaves, okra, coconut milk, crab and seasonings.

chicki chong - a small, hastily constructed kite made from papers, without a frame and carrying a paper tail. Also a whistling bird.

coal pot - a cast iron stove with coals as fuel used for cooking.

corn hox - the cob or husk of the corn.

coskorob (coski) - fresh water fish.

damadol - east indian word for tomato.

dhantal - Eatern Indian percussion instrument consisting of a length of iron rod and u-shaped metal striker. Rod is held and released intermittently for variation in tone.

dholak - East Indian hand drum.

eat nice - everything fine.

engine room - the driving percussion in a steel band.

evenin' - any time after noon.

fensin - hedge or fence made up of live plants.

fig - banana.

fish tea - fish broth.

fishinin' - fishing.

flambeau - a "torch light" made from kerosene-filled bottle and wick.

flim - film.

fresh cold - the cold or flu.

galvanize - galvanized iron roofing.

garaly (gallery) - verandah or porch.

gilpin - cutlass or machete

greasy rice - rice boiled with a coconut, without meat.

gordbrudda - friend.

gummagalla - a small lizard.

half-a-shoes - an old shoe.

haul up - a drinking straw.

i eh askin' yuh, ah tellin' yuh - I am absolutely sure. (sometimes used even when they are not sure)

icy hot - thermos flask.

In Trut (In truth) - for real, no lie.

jep - an hornet or jackspaniard.

jim boots - gym shoes.

jitney - an ol'-time van, small transport truck, ancient 4-wheeler.

jumbie - ghost.

keroseene Stove - a two or more burner cooking stove that uses keroesene for fuel.

klim - any brand of powdered milk.

lancin - a sharp, piercing pain.

las-lap - last jump up before midnight Ash Wednesday for those who didn't get enough of Carnival Monday and Tuesday

licks - a beating or spanking (physical punishment).

macafouchette - the left overs of a meal.

make style - too show off.

mala - east indian word for flower garland.

mess up - to spoil a good time.

morocoy - a member of the turtle family that lives on land.

mo-vay-lang (Mauvais Langue ... French for "Bad tongue") - to bad talk someone, or engage in nasty gossip.

nail jook - when you step on an upright nail bare-footed (requires a tetanus shot).

nana - East Indian for grandfather.

nani - East Indian for Grandmother.

not so hot - Not feeling well (uner the weather...ill/sick).

obeah - a kind of witchcraft or sorcery practised in the Caribbean.

one to go - a route or "pirate" taxi driver call for one more passenger to fill the cab or maxi so it maybe on its way.

out de lite - turn off the light.

panyard - where a local panside practice in their location (home yard for their community).

papa yo - exclamation of surprise.

pastelle - a Christmas delicacy, made from grated corn stuffed with meat, olivies, raisins, etc. wrapped and tied in banana leaves and boiled.

pembwa - breadfruit.

pioki - a sand fly.

police an t'ief - a kids game of cops and robbers.

pommerac - pear shaped fruit, red in colour with white cotton flesh, containing a large seed.

poopa - father...used to describe any outstanding person or thing.

quick sharp! - Quickly! Hurry! Right now! Do fas!.

racketty - shaky (not strong).

ray minor - A minor key .. the key in which most old-time lavways were played.

revin - earlier name for pan ramage (ramajay).

rockstone - a small stone.

sahina - deep fried dhal with either spinach, pakchoi (bok choy), or dasheen .

salt kind - any salt-preserved meat. (pigtail, pig-feet, ox-tail)

sampat - an old slipper.

sea bart - sea bath.

shades - sunglasses.

sling - syrup of sugar cane.

strimps - shrimps. (seahell type of food)

swell up yuh face - to look angry or pout.

tac tac - a large black hunting aunt whose bite causes swelling.

talala - confusion.

tan tan - aunt.

tantie - auntie.

tea - any hot drink (tea, coffee or chocolate milk etc...).

ten comman'ments - bared feet, ten toes exposed

topside - windward side of Tobago.

torchlight - a flashlight.

trinidad time - anytime...up tomany hours late for an appointment. Also any time is the right time to be in Trinidad.

twin brother - good friend.

upstairs house - a two-storey dwelling (house/home).

veni (patois) - come.

waiter - a serving tray.

walk a good foot - to arrive jus in time; ex. lunch (Tobago).

water coconut - a coconut which is young and full of liquid.

we go pick up - see ya later!

we is we - you are among frineds (we are all one).

who doh hear go feel - Those who don't heed (listen to) advice or warnings will feel the consequences.

wood ants - termites.

x-tray - X-ray.

zaboca - avacado pear.

zagaa - gecko (house) lizard usually foun behin pictures on walls waiting to pounce on any unwary insects..

zangie - fresh water eel.

zashwa - Sardines.

zigwah - a detour from a planned route.