ou kom

Jamaican Creole

Etymology

Derived from English how come.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ou.kom/

Adverb

ou kom

1. how come, why (used for asking "why" questions)
   • 2012, Di Jamiekan Nyuu Testiment, Edinburgh: DJB, published 2012, →ISBN, Ruoman 2:21:

     Unu a tiich ada piipl, so ou kom unu naa lorn? Ou kom unu naa fala wa unu tiich? Ou kom unu a priich se piipl no fi tiif bot unu a tiif?

     You teach other people, so how come you don't learn? How come you don't follow what others teach? How come you preach that people shouldn't steal but you are a thief?

Usage notes

• wai also exists, but is not used for asking questions.