Appendix:Glossary of Trinidadian English

Although the official language of Trinidad and Tobago is English, the most commonly spoken languages are Trinidadian Creole English and Tobagonian Creole English. Trinidadian usage includes a large number of local words and expressions. Many of these have non-English origins - these derive primarily from French and French Creole, Spanish, various West African languages, and the Indic Trinidadian Hindustani (Bhojpuri and Awadhi), Hindi, Urdu, Bengali, Telugu, and Tamil, Trinidadian speech is characterised by dropped final consonants and a lack of pluralisation. There is no standard orthography for the written language; written forms which attempt to capture the sound of the language tend to converge.

Words and phrases

A-B

• A A! or Eh-Eh! - Is an exclamation. When you didn't expect something. Usually used like, "Well, excuse me!" For example: "But, A A!" or "Eh Eh!...Is you here?"
• A box a dead - a to-go meal (fast-food) containing meat aka a dead animal
• Aajaa - paternal grandfather [from Bhojpuri Hindustani]
• Aaji - paternal grandmother [from Bhojpuri Hindustani]
• Aatkapaari - headache/migraine [from Bhojpuri Hindustani]
• Abbatoir - (Pronounced 'Abatwa') an animal slaughter house
• Achar or Anchar - Mango pickle
• Agouti - small rodent animal that are related to guinea pigs
• Ah dawg - A 20 dollar bill (for example - "Oo meh g lemme geh a dawg dey nah, ago give yuh back")
• Ah go do fuh yuh - A threat of revenge or retaliation (I'll do for you)
• Ah want tuh hail out - I would like to "shout out/big up"
• Akimbo - A standing body posture with one leg straight while the other is bent and either one or both hands on the hip
• Allah - God in general and more specific God in Islam [from Bhojpuri Urdu, Persian, and Arabic]
• All-fours - a card game
• Allyuh - you all
• Aloo - potato [from Bhojpuri Hindustani]
• Ananci - a spider E.g "Boi if yuh dis big ananci looking spider meh did see yestaday"
• Ass buss - means you are in over your head or you have failed. Also Means you are tired or worn out. Out of strength out of energy especially after a long day of work. E.g. "Yuh ass buss!"
• Ay or Aye - means either hey, or you
• Awa - literally means "or what", but its usage is to make Trinidadian slang flow better. For example, "yuh wastin' muh time, awa?" , literally meaning "are you wasting my time?"
• Babaash - bootleg rum, i.e., moonshine made from fruits.
• Babylon - A oppressive or corrupt system or regime or police
• Bachak - very large species of ants
• Baaboo - Term for a ghost or a spirit, normally used to scare children
• Back-back - to move backwards or in reverse direction.
• Back a day - back in the day or a long time ago
• Bacchanal - commotion, a wild party, a fight between neighbours, family or friends. E.g. The wedding reception was 'real' bacchanal 'cause of the difference in religions between the bride and groom.
• Bad - a description of something that is extremely good. It can also be used to describe a sexually promiscuous female (see baddist)
• Badjohn/Baa-John - a bully
• Baddist/Bad ting - an extremely promiscuous female. in recent times, it has been used for men as well, but in a less serious sense
• Bad lucky - unlucky or in an unfortunate situation
• Bahu - daughter-in-law [from Bhojpuri Hindustani]
• Baigan - eggplant [from Bhojpuri Hindustani]
• Baiganee - fried doughy snack made with baigan or eggplant
• Bake - The name of several kinds of unleavened breads that are either baked (E.g. Coconut Bake) or fried (E.g. Fry Bake)
• Balata - locally grown small fruit with leathery skin and sweet juicy pulp
• Balisier - A species of Heliconia (flower) used a symbol to represent the political party, P.N.M.
• Bambam - Buttocks
• Bamsee or Boomsee - Buttocks
• Bambozzle - To make some one confused
• Bandhaniya - Eryngium foetidum, an aromatic herb used as a spice (also known as Shado beni or Chadon benit). [from Bhojpuri Hindustani]
• Banga - a species of palm fruit
• Barbadeen - also known as the giant Granadilla fruit or the milk based beverage made from it
• Barfee or Barfi - (Food) Light colored dairy based sweet of Indian origin
• Barra - a deep fried saffron coloured bread (see doubles) [from Bhojpuri Hindustani]
• Batty - Buttocks
• Battyman - homosexual person
• Batty-manzel - Dragonfly (Insect)
• Baylena - Rolling pin
• Bazodee - light-headed or in shock or crazy [from Fr. abasourdir - to daze]
• BeeWee - BWIA West Indies Airways, the former national airline of Trinidad and Tobago. The acronym for British West Indian Airlines is often colloquially referred to as Better Wait In Airport, Big Wait In Airport, Better Walk If Able, But Will It Arrive, Bankrupt West Indian Airlines, etc.
• Behen - sister in general or smaller sister [from Bhojpuri Hindustani]
• Beh-beh - idiot or simpleton; A stupid person
• Behyne-Gawd-Back - A very distant and obscure place or location (derived from 'Behind God's Back')
• Beta or Bituwa - son [from Bhojpuri Hindustani]
• Beti or Bitiya - daughter [from Bhojpuri Hindustani]
• Bhagwan - God in Hindu religion [from Bhojpuri Hindustani]]
• Bhaiya or Bhai - brother [from Bhojpuri Hindustani]
• Bhaji - Various green leafy vegetables (especially amaranth or dasheen). [from Bhojpuri Hindustani]
• Bhauji - sister-in-law (brother's wife) [from Bhojpuri Hindustani]
• Bingo Bags - A large pair of female underwear, usually found worn on Elder women (70 and above). Also referred to as "Granny Panties"
• Big Man Ting - Used when someone is indicating they are telling the truth or Used when someone is indicating they are serious (for example - "Big man ting inno dawg, daiz wah happen" ["Big man thing you know dog, thats what happened"])
• Blasted - used to emphasise other words (for example - "gih mih de blasted ting nah!" ["give me the damn thing please"]) when one is irritated. It is used in a more vulgar sense, though is more acceptable than direct foul language. Similar words are blinkin, stinkin, friggin and flickin.
• Blight - Cursed, bad omen or bad luck
• "Bling"- Dress up with jewelry, or customized vehicles,or pretty up. Example> How u bling dong(down) so?
• Blinkin - used to emphasise other words (for example - "gih mih de blinkin ting nah!" ["give me the damn thing please"]) when one is irritated. It is used in a more vulgar sense, though is more acceptable than direct foul language. Similar words are stinkin, blasted, friggin and flickin.
• Bobbol - illegal activity, usu. in the context of corporate criminality, white-collar crime or political corruption.
• Bobolee - a figure of Judas beaten at easter or a stupid person
• Bodi - pole beans [from Bhojpuri Hindi]
• Boesee-back - Hunched back
• Bol' face - a brazen or demanding person, a person who speaks or acts using indiscretion
• Booboolups - overweight or out of shape. Can also be used to romantically or sarcastically describe affection for an overweight female.
• Bois - (pronounced "Bwah") 1. A big heavy stick (or 2x4), used for harming others. 2. To beat someone badly. Eg. "Move, boy or I go give yuh bois."
• Bone - to have sexual intercourse. May also refer to the male genitals. (Contrast though with the phrase "Trini to de Bone!")
• Bonx - to hit or slam, commonly referring to car accidents (He bonx she car). Also used to indicate a type of greeting where the participants (usu. male) gently touch each other's closed fists. Derived from the word "Bounce."
• Boof - to rough someone up or insult them or to scold someone. Can also be used to refer to the person who was roughed up or insulted (derived from "buff"). E.g. Sarah boofed Brian for leaving without her. Brian 'get' boof up for leaving without Sarah. (Alt spelling "bouff").
• Boomboom - Buttocks
• Break - Ejaculation of the penis or the semen itself
• Break Biche - to leave or shirk one's duties in favour of liming, usu. in the context of secondary school or work. E.g. Brian & Ricardo break biche to go to the Arcade.
• Breathel/Furr Mouth - halitosis
• Bredda - brother
• Breds - brethren
• Broughtupcy - manners, upbringing
• Buljol - Dish made from Salted Fish or 'Salfish'. Similar to Portuguese 'Bacalhau'
• Bun - Burn or burned
• Bungry - Boundary
• Bull - to have sex (whether heterosexual or homosexual in nature)
• Buller - one who bulls, but usually in the context of, or suggesting, a homosexual act (see Bullerman) (derogatory)
• Bullerman - a man who likes to gossip or a man who engages in homosexual activity
• Buss - Burst
• Buss it! - command to move away quickly. Similar to 'Beat it!'
• Buss style! - acting better than everyone else. E.g "Yuh feel yuh could buss style on me?'
• Buss up - Breakdown of a relationship
• Buss out - a disagreement or falling out in a relationship
• Buss-up-shot - a type of flat bread also known as Paratha
• Buss yuh ass - a threat to beat someone
• Button - Pimples or acne

C-D

• Calpet or Calpit- a verb used to describe hitting someone behind the head. E.g "yuh wuh ah hard calpit ah wuh"
• Caca - Feces
• Caca-hole - The anus or an offensive term for a rude or ignorant person
• Caimate - locally grown round or ovoid shaped fruit which contains a sweet edible pulp. May range from green-skinned to dark purple in color
• Callaloo - a dark green soup-like dish with a very thick consistency traditionally made with dasheen leaves, ochro, coconut milk and bits of meat and/or crab
• Carite - (Pronounced 'Careet') is a large species of salt-water food fish
• Carripulay leaf - Leaf of the curry plant or curry tree
• Carraillee or Carrailli - Bittermelon (Vegetable)
• Cascadoo - A small species of fish in the catfish family that is normally prepared as a curry dish
• Cattle boil - (Pronounced 'Kyattle boil') is a medical condition with a boil or swelling within the eyelids
• Cerise - (Pronounced 'Series') is a species of small fruit that is dark red in colour and is to be lightly massaged until soft before consuming the seedy pulp inside
• Chaamar - The lowest caste of the Hindu caste system equivalent to a Dalit. Since the abolishment of the caste system by Hindus in Trinidad and Tobago, it's used to insult Hindu Indians as a racial slur sometimes [from Bhojpuri Hindi].
• Chaana - Chickpeas
• Chacha or Khakha - father's smaller brother [from Bhojpuri Hindustani]
• Chachi or Khakhi - father's smaller brother wife [from Bhojpuri Hindustani]
• Chadon Beni - (Pronounced 'Shadow Benny') an aromatic herb used as a cooking spice. Also known as Bandhaniya or Culantro. Eryngium foetidum (Scientific name)
• Chainee - A sometimes offensive term used to refer to a Chinese person or someone with East Asian facial features. Also spelled 'Chinee'
• Chakai - engagement ceremony
• Chalta - species of large fruit used to make pickles or preserves
• Chaser - A non-alcoholic drink that is mixed with liquor before consuming together.
• Chathi - Hindu ceremony held on the evening of the sixth day of after a child's birth
• Chataigne - (Pronounced 'Shataign' and also known as 'Breadnut') is a tree species grown for its large fruit which is utilised in its immature stage as a vegetable and the cooked seeds of the mature stage consumed as a snack. Both plant and fruit referred to as Chataigne
• Chauki - a board used for rolling out roti [from Bhojpuri Hindustani]
• Chautal - A type of folk music from the Purvanchal region of northern India sung during the spring time especially for the festival of Phagwah or Holi [from Bhojpuri Hindi].
• Cheeni - sugar [from Bhojpuri Hindustani]
• Chela - follower or disciple of a Hindu pundit or guru
• Chenet - The fruit of Melicoccus bijugatus tropical American tree having small fragrant greenish-white flowers and small fruits with a green leathery rind and a juicy pinkish translucent pulp.
• Chickee-Chong - a type of low flying kite whose structure is made entirely of paper with simple construction and a low degree of flying capability
• Chyle or Chile - child (pron. "ch-isle").
• Chilli-bibbi - snack made with finely ground corn and sugar
• Ching-gum - Chewing gum
• Chinkey/choonkey - small
• Chin-nee - Caterpillar
• Chip - a walking shuffle step done to slower soca tunes
• Chip-Chip - A small species of bivalve mollusks that inhabits the sandy seashore
• Chirren - Children
• Chhinar - prostitute, slut, or whore [from Bhojpuri Hindustani]
• Chhowra - village boy [from Bhojpuri Hindustani]
• Chhowri - village girl [from Bhojpuri Hindustani]
• Chokha - a dish made of a roasted vegetable like baigan or damadol [from Bhojpuri Hindustani]
• Chook - to pierce (or jook), usu. in reference to needles. Can also refer to dancing which involves the thrusting of one's hips forward sharply into the rear of another. May also refer to sexual intercourse. E.g. Riad took a little chook from the girl.
• Choolha or Chulha - (AKA 'Fire-side') a small enclosed structure traditionally made out of clay and/or mud, used for supporting a cooking vessel whilst holding a wood burning fire
• Chotka - husband younger brother
• Christophine - (pronounced 'Kristofeen') a edible vegetable in the gourd family also known as Chayote
• Chupid - stupid
• Chutney - spicy condiment or Indo-Caribbean music genre
• Cock-up - To lay down or position your body with feet off the ground in a very relaxed posture
• Coco - The penis
• "Coco-bey" - Leprosy or vitiligo
• Cocoa payol - a person of mixed racial ancestry with a 'brown complexion' of Latin American and Spanish origin
• Cocoa tea - a hot beverage made with locally produced cocoa sticks
• Coekey-eye - Cross eyed
• Coolie - a derogatory term for a person on Indian origin
• Coonu-moonu or Cunumunu - an offensive term for a person who is thought to be backward, simple-minded, unintelligent, easily fooled or socially awkward
• Corbeaux - (Pronounced 'Cobo') a black vulture
• Coscarub - Fresh water species of fish sometimes used a a food fish
• Coskel - overdressed; also cosquelle
• Creole - a person of mixed ancestry but with primarily African
• Crix - a type a round cracker (food) or non-sweet biscuit
• Cro-Cro - the name of a salt-water food fish
• Curry-Q or Curry-Que - The sale or a showcase of food that includes curry dishes
• Cut-ass - a physical beating
• Cutlaash - a machete or cutlass
• Cut a night - spend a night away from your home, e.g. "I hear Lesmond went by he girl place, fell sleep and cut a night; he ga get planass for dat!"
• Cunt - Vagina. Also a derogatory term
• Cuz - Because
• Cyah - Can't
• Cyat - A somewhat derogative term reserved usually for a woman that is perceived to have unattractive character traits. This word is derived from the colloquial meaning of a "cat" or "pussy" representing a vagina. The woman, or sometimes the man, who is deemed a cyat is thought to be ignorant of their actions and behaving in an unrealistic manner. One such example is: "Gosh, that woman behaving like a cyat eh!"
• Dada - father's older brother [from Bhojpuri Hindustani]
• Dadi - father's older brother wife [from Bhojpuri Hindustani]
• Dahee or Dahi - Yogurt, especially traditionally made
• Dal - ground up split peas [from Bhojpui Hindustani] (Dal Bhat is ground split peas with rice)
• Dal gootnee or gutni - a wooden utensil used in making dal
• Dalpuri - a type of roti with ground up split peas inside [from Bhojpuri Hindustani]
• Damdol - tomato
• Dan - a word similar to the American slang usage of "man", and can be used to speak to a friend or to a random person. Usually only used for men
• Dat - that
• Daz - that's/ that is
• De - the
• Deeray or Dhiray - Slow (from Hindustani)
• Deewali - Hindu festival of lights
• Devar - husband's younger brother [from Bhojpuri Hindustani]
• Devrani - husband's younger brother's wife [from Bhojpuri Hindustani]
• Dey - there
• Didi - older sister [from Bhojpuri Hindustani]
• Dimanche gras - (Pronounced 'Deemash Gra') Sunday celebrations before the two days of Carnival
• Dingolay - dance wildly
• Dhaniya - Coriandrum sativum [from Bhojpuri Hindustani]
• Dhantal - instrument made during the days of Indian indenturship [from Bhojpuri Hindustani]
• Dhoti - the traditional white cloth wrapped around the waist of an Indian man [from Bhojpuri Hindi]
• Dong - Down E.g. 'Dong dey' means 'Down there', 'Dongtong' means 'Downtown'
• Donkey - Card game
• Dose - Friend (From Hindustani 'Dost')
• Dotish - (doltish) stupid
• Doubles - a sandwich of sorts made with a saffron coloured bread and curried chick pea filling. There is no singular form of the word.
• Douen - a mythological dwarf forest dweller with legs pointed backwards who deviously entices young children into forest to become lost
• Dougla - a person of mixed Afro-Trinidadian and Indo-Trinidadian heritage, more recently this term is used to refer to anyone of mixed (interracial) parentage. In the Bhojpuri and Awadhi dialects of the Hindustani language it means bastard. [from Bhojpuri Hindustani]
• Doux doux - sweet, a term of endearment, esp. in the context of romantic love, or caring for a baby or small child. E.g. Leanna doux douxed the crying baby in her arms until it fell asleep.
• Draggin tong - means intense kissing. From 'Dragging tongue'
• Dress 'round' - means to move over
• Drop - a ride by car or other vehicle
• Drops - Baked pastry traditionally made with grated coconut. E.g. Coconut drops
• Dulaha - newly-wed husband or groom [from Bhojpuri Hindustani]]
• Dulahin - newly-wed wife or bride [from Bhojpuri Hindustani]
• Dunce - When a person is not considered smart. Some one who does not have a good intellect.
• Duppy - Ghost or Spirit
• Dutty - Dirty
• Duttyness - Dirtiness. An abhorrent person. "Eg. David slept with an 8 year old goat. He is a real duttyness."
• Duss-it - a firm command to go away quickly or 'beat it!'

E-F

• Eh Eh - an expression indicating one's disapproval
• Eh Heh - translates to "is that so"(usually for sarcasm)
• Eid - (Pronounced 'EED') Muslim religious festival
• Ent? - "isn't that so?" , "right?" (used at the end of a sentence for emphasis; is similar to Spanish "¿no?")
• Fadda - a word to adress another male figure, whether friend, acquaintance or foe. Also used to exclaim in vain, eg "Fadda!" which is derived from "Oh God!"
• Fas - nosy
• Fête - a party, usually the parties around Carnival time are referred to as fêtes [from French].
• Fig - Banana
• Five-fingers - Fruit also known as 'Carambola' or 'Star fruit'.
• Flambeau - a lighted torch, usually made from a beer bottle and filled with kerosene
• Flato - the name of a salt-water food fish with a disk shaped flattened body
• Flickin - used to emphasise other words (for example - "gih mih de flickin ting nah!" ["give me the damn thing please"]) when one is irritated. It is used in a more vulgar sense, though is more acceptable than direct foul language. Similar words are blinkin, blasted, friggin and stinkin.
• Flim - film
• Fire-side - (AKA Choolha or Chulha) a small enclosed structure traditionally made out of clay and/or mud, used for supporting a cooking vessel whilst holding a wood burning fire
• Fowl-cock - an adult chicken particularly a male of the species
• Foofooray - used in reference to Afro hair, to describe when one's hair is unkempt or left unstyled and 'all-over-the-place' (For example - "How yuh go have d child up an' down with dat foofooray on he head so?" ["How can you bear to let that child walk around with such messy hair?"]). Usually said with a contemptuous tone.
• Friggin - used to emphasise other words (for example - "gih mih de friggin ting nah!" ["give me the damn thing please"]) when one is irritated. It is used in a more vulgar sense, though is more acceptable than direct foul language. Similar words are blinkin, blasted, stinkin and flickin.
• Frontish - a bold demanding person, someone who loves attention or being in the middle of things.

G-H

• Gainda - Marigold (flower)
• Ganda - used to describe a rotten or spoiled egg
• Geera - Cumin spice
• Ghugani - black-eyed peas [from Bhojpuri Hindustani]
• Gibberish or Gibrish - (pronounced with the "g" as in "give") A type of "pig Latin" used from older generations. Usually used when the adults want to gossip openly without children understanding. (Sopo copodipi gopo Babai dipi house, apan nopo bopodipi Sepe wapa hapadapam) ("So Cody went to the house nobody said what happened")
• Gih Dem/Geeh Dem - means to give someone something i.e., an object or a verbal assault
• Giddy - dizzy
• Gimmeh or Gimme - Command for 'Give me'
• Gobar - dried cow dung [from Bhojpuri Hindustani]
• Gone tru - means lacking vigour or stamina, can't keep up, beaten or defeated
• Go-so - a command meaning 'Go there' or 'Move there'
• Gramoxone - trade name for paraquat dichloride, a weed killer, commonly used to commit suicide. Any poison ingested, will still be called gramoxone, whether or not if it was actually gramoxone. A very popular choice. E.g., "Yuh hear? She drink gramoxone and dead!" sometimes called "Indian Champagne/Tonic" since at one time it was usually only persons of Indian descent that used this as the method of choice to commit suicide.
• Gros Michel - (Pronounced 'Grau-me-shell') A variety of banana
• Grip - old way of saying suitcase or luggage
• Gulab jamoon - (Food) Sweet of Indian origin
• Gyirl or Gyul or Gyal - Refers to 'Girl'. E.g. Aye Gyirl! (Hey Girl)
• Handle - to take care of something or someone, or to provide assistance. E.g., "Doh worry yuhself, he go handle yuh on that."
• Haradee or Hardi - Tumeric plant of the ginger family grown for its rhizome.
• Hard-back-man - Means a grown or physically matured male person
• Hef - to guage the weight of something by lifting it. E.g., "I too weak to lift dat bag. Hef it yuhself an see how heavy it is."
• Ho - A whore or prostitute or a promiscuous woman
• Hops - A small bread bun that is commonly used in making single serve sandwiches
• Horn - to cheat on someone, to be unfaithful (unknown derivation: Horny) (relating to the horns associated with cuckoldry)
• Hornerman - the man with whom a woman (already involved in a committed relationship) is having an affair.
• Hornerwoman - the woman with whom a man (already involved in a committed relationship) is having an affair.
• Hoss/Horse - a good friend or pal.
• Huille - (Pronounced 'Wheel') species of snake, Anaconda

I-J

• Imps - an idiot/demon
• Iyo or Ayo - When the string of a flying kite breaks or snaps
• Ishwar - God in Hinduism [from Bhojpuri Hindi]
• Ite - Okay
• Jaamoon or Jamun - Rose apple or Pommerac
• Jack-spaniya or Jack-Spaniard - Species of wasp (insect)
• Jadu - magic [from Bhojpuri Hindustani]
• Jahaji bundle - A big bag containing one's personal items. E.g., "Dis one always walk wid she jahaji bundle everyway she go." [from Bhojpuri Hindustani]
• Jah-know - God knows, A phrase that is used when something unexpected occures
• Jagabat - woman of ill repute (specifically, a female prostitute), also jammet
• Jalebi - (Pronounced 'Jelaybee') - a sweet food similar to funnel cake that is dipped in a sugary syrup
• Jammet or Jammette (Djamet) - a woman or questionable morals or a woman who adopts a rather abrasive and aggressive form of communication with the public. Can also refer to a prostitute.
• Janjee - Also known as 'Zangee'. Eel like fish that inhabits freshwater ponds and waterways
• Jep - Species of wasp (insect)
• Jeth - husband's younger brother [from Bhojpuri Hindustani]
• Jetani - husband's younger brother's wife [from Bhojpuri Hindustani]
• Jhandi - Hindu prayer flag that is mounted to a tall bamboo pole and put up in the front of the yard near the home's mandir or in front of a business or mandir after a puja, and the colour of the flag is based on the deity worshiped [from Bhojpuri Hindi]
• Jhanjat - a big fight, trouble or confusion [from Bhojpuri Hindustani]
• Jinga - a form of black magic or a salt-water species of food fish
• Jock - to masturbate, especially male masturbation (a slang term, but not ordinarily considered derogatory or rude). Contrast with traditional North American defintion of "Jock".
• Joekey or Jokey - to describe something or someone that is funny
• Jook - To poke or thrust a pointed object at something. Similar to 'Chook'
• Joon-joonie - Muscle cramp
• Jouvert - (Pronounced 'Jouvay') Opening morning of Carnival Monday.
• Jumbie - (From French creole 'Zombie') A ghost, evil spirit or scary creature. E.g. " Ah see ah jumbie last night!" or "The Jumbie go hold yuh!". Also when someone constantly harasses you. E.g. " He only jumbie-ing me".
• Jump-and-kiss - A species of Portulaca (flowering plant)
• Jus-now - In a moment, just a moment please, just awhile ago or wait

K-L

• Kachoree or Kachori - a fritter made of split peas flour normally served with chutney
• Kala - black [from Bhojpuri Hindustani]
• Kala Jadu/Obeah - black magic [from Bhojpuri Hindustani/Yoruba]
• Kaale Log|Kaala - people of African or Creole-Mulatto decent [from Bhojpuri Hindustani]
• Kalchul or kalchool - a ladle normally used for dal
• Kang-ka-lang - Vagina or female private parts
• Khurma - a traditional Indian sweet that is deep fried and coated with sugar [from Bhojpuri Hindustani]
• Kilkitay - to fall awkwardly or how you look on the floor after falling awkwardly, usually with arms flailed in some odd sort of fashion. Eg. "When de defenda' tackle him, Roger fall down kilkeedey on de ground"
• Kiskadee - a species of yellow breasted bird
• Kick the bucket - to die
• Kuchela - a hot spicy condiment normally made from Mango [from Bhojpuri Hindustani]
• Labass - A dumping ground or dirty place; referring to the garbage dumping location on the south-eastern outskirts of the capital city of Port of Spain; from French adverb "là-bas" meaning "down there"
• La diablesse - (Pronounced 'Lajabless') a mythological two-legged she-devil whose possesses a leg of a human and a leg of an oxen, who roams the dark night in search of male victims (from French)
• Laddoo - (Food)type of ball shaped yellowish sweet of Indian origin
• Lagahu - A mythological human being who has the magical powers to transform into a four-legged animal that roams the dark night in search of human victims
• Lagniappe - bonus
• Leepay - Ground covering made with cow dung and dirt [from Bhojpuri Hindustani]
• Lemme or Leh-meh - Let me
• Lick-down - to push over something by force
• Lick-up - to smash or annihilate someone or something (also: lick-down). Can also be used to indicate consumption or completion of food or drink, usu. in a greedy or hurried manner. E.g. We lick-up the KFC before we went to the party.
• Licks - Corporal punishment, may also be used figuratively when someone or a team is beaten badly eg in sport (eg. the football team get some real licks!). Variations - Licks like peas, Licks like fire which are used for emphasis.
• Lime/Liming - a party or any get-together/to hang out, or (more recently) to date someone
• Locho -(pronounced low-cho) a person who "mooches" off of someone else
• Loelee - Penis
• Lohra or lowra - a stone, especially one used for grinding herbs and spices
• Love off -to have fallen for a person
• Loya or Loy - the dough ball of a roti before it is flattened

M-N

• Macafouchette - left over food [from Fr. "manque un forchette" - leftovers, "food missed by the fork"]
• Maco - a nosy person/peeping Tom (also: Macco, Macocious, Macomere), or the act of being nosy
• Maccomere - "maccomere" could be a woman's good gossip buddy (usually female)
• Maccomere man - a derogatory term for a gay man

suggesting that gay men are nosy and like to gossip

• Macajuel - (Pronounced 'Maca-well') is a species of snake, also known as Boa Constrictor
• Mad-blood - an undiagnosed medical condition that manifests itself in discolouration and/or itching of the skin
• Mad bull - a very high flying powerful kite that usually makes a sound while in flight
• Madinga - an derogatory term for a Muslim person
• Magga - means very thin or skinny
• Mai, Mata, Maiya, Ma - Mother [Amma is from Tamil and other Dravidian/South Indian languages]
• Maljo - evil eye [from Fr. mal yeux - bad eyes]
• Malkadee - convulsions, sickly, unhealthy or crazy
• Mamaguy - to falsely compliment someone with the hope of indirectly persuading them in your favour [from Spanish 'mamar gallo']
• Mamma-man - An offensive slang for a male who involves himself in the affairs of women or a homosexual male.
• Mamma-teyta - species of fish in the catfish family
• Mammeecipote - A large locally grown fruit which contains firm sweet flesh
• Mamu - maternal uncle
• Massala - combination of ground spices commonly used in East Indian cuisine
• Mausa - maternal aunt husband
• Mausi - maternal aunt
• Mampee/Mamps - An extremely overweight female.
• Manicou - An one of five species of opossum, most commonly Didelphis marsupialis
• Mapipire - (Pronounced 'Ma-peepee') a venomous species of snake
• Mauvais langue - to malign
• Mohan Bhog - (Food) Sweet meal used for Hindu devotional worship
• Moo-yuh-ass! - means to move yourself. Literally 'Move your ass!'
• Mook - a person who is shy, or socially awkward. (also: Mooksie)
• Moonshine - bootleg alcohol
• Muck - dirt or scum that accumulates on the skin
• Muddacunt - a vulgar curse word cursing a mother's vagina. (usually used in the phrase "haul yuh muddacunt" or simply "yuh muddacunt", meaning "fuck off" in a somewhat more vulgar fashion. is also used when angrily suprised by a situation and is usually dictated: "but what de muddacunt is dis?" or more simply, "what de muddacunt is dis?", or "what de muddacunt?"
• Naanny - Slang for vagina or female private parts
• NATO - Acronym for No Action Transport Only used for person who drives a car full of women but will not be getting any "action" hence no dig or chook.
• NAH - 1. A means of responding negatively (i.e. saying no). 2. A means of saying please (e.g. lemme get a wet ah yuh sof' drink nah?") 3. A random useless english of sentences (e.g.1 i eh really know na, eg.2 SWEAR TO GOD NAH)
• Namakharam - Ingrate, especially in a political context [from Bhojpuri Hindustani "Namak Haram"]
• Namco or Nanco - bullets
• Nana - maternal grandfather [from Bhojpuri Hindustani]
• Nani - maternal grandmother [from Bhojpuri Hindustani]
• Neva see come see - Someone who has recently been exposed to something new and who overdoes it to ridiculous proportions or a term used to describe a person who is thought to be socially backwards but pretends to be advanced
• Nigger, Nigga, or Negro - used as a racial slur towards people of African or Creole-Mulatto descent
• Nuttin - nothing

O-P

• Obeah or Obi-ah - black magic
• Obzokie - awkward, out of place usu. in a derogatory manner.
• Ochro or Okro - Okra (Vegetable)
• Oh Gad Oye! - an expression of surprise or shock or of something scandalous
• Oh Gawd! - an expression of concern or surprise or shock or of something scandalous
• Oh Gawsh! - an expression of disappointment or disapproval
• Oh Geed! - an expression of disgust or scorn for something dirty
• Oh Gyad! - an expression of disgust or scorn for something dirty
• Oh Lawd! - an expression of surprise or disappointment or of something scandalous
• Ol' ho - a promiscuous older woman
• Ole maid or Old maid - a species flowering plant also known as Madagascar periwinkle
• Oou Guude! - an expression of amazement or something scandalous
• "Oy/Oye" - Aye/Hey!
• Pachownie - a curry dish made with the tripe of various animals
• Pampalam - Vagina or female private parts (Shortened to 'Pampam')
• Panty-man - an offensive term for an effeminate male or a homosexual male
• Papa Bois - (Pronounced 'Papa Bwah') A mythological human-like creature that lives in the forests and protects wild animals by harming hunters (From French)
• Papee-show - Behaving or acting in a very dramatic manner; or acting in a manner with the purpose of deceiving or hiding the truth
• Par-aaja - paternal great-grand father [from Bhojpuri Hindustani]
• Par-aaji - paternal great-grand mother [from Bhojpuri Hindustani]
• Par-nana - maternal great-grand father [from Bhojpuri Hindustani]
• Par-nani - maternal great-grand mother [from Bhojpuri Hindustani]
• Parsad - (Food) Sweet meal used for Hindu devotional worship
• Pastelle or Pastel - A savoury food traditionally made steamed or boiled in banana leaf consisting primarily of ground corn with a meat filling. Popular during the Christmas season.
• Pati - husband [from Bhojpuri Hindustani]
• Patni - wife [from Bhojpuri Hindustani]
• Patois (Pronounced 'Patwa') - a french-based creole language
• Paynoose - A sweet food with various cheese-like textures normally made from the 'Colostrum' or first milking of a cow after giving birth
• Paymee - A sweet food traditionally made steamed or boiled in banana leaf consisting of ground corn, coconut, sugar and other ingredients and species.
• Peepee - To urinate or the urine itself
• Peera - a small wooden bench
• Peewa - Edible fruit of a native palm species
• Pelau - A rice based dish traditionally made with pigeon peas and meats such as chicken or beef
• Penlight battery - AA battery
• Perah - (Food) Sweet of Indian origin
• Petite quart - (Pronounced 'Pity kort') is a small sized bottle used to measure alcohol
• Phagwa - Hindu spring festival also known as 'Holi'
• Pholourie - deep fried (flour with split peas powder and turmeric) balls [Bhojpuri Hindustani]
• Picky head - to describe someone with short, curly, thin, Afro-textured hair
• Pimento - a variety of pepper used for flavoring dishes
• Pickny - child or children
• Pissin-tail - A derogatory term to describe a person (normally a male) or something that is believed to be weak or inferior
• Pita, Baap, or Pa - father [Bhojpuri Hindi]
• Planass - A beating with the flat side of a cutlass or machete blade
• Plantin - Plantain fruit
• Poan or Pone - (Rhymes with 'Groan') is a sweet dense starchy cake traditionally made with Cassava and other ingredients
• Pois doux - (Pronounced 'Pa-doo') is a tree species and its fruit pods which contains seeds encased in an edible sweet pulp. (From French meaning Sweet Peas)
• Pommerac - Syzygium malaccense or Otaheite apple, a pear shaped fruit become bright red when ripe, also know as the Malay apple or Wax Jamboo
• Pommecythere - Spondias cytherea or Golden apple, a fruit with a green skin, which when ripe turns to a gold colour.
• Pongkin - Pumpkin
• Pot Hound - Usually refers stray dog that probably is not of a specific breed or a dog that eats anything off the street (also: Pot Hong). May also refer to a person of mixed ethnic background. (This is a racially offensive use of the term)
• Preshaah! - pressure, to feel pressure due to a situation one is in
• Pree - To Take notice or Pay attention to something or someone
• Prick - Penis or an offensive term used to describe a detestable or an ignorant male. Similar to North American 'Dick'
• Puchara or Poochara - a cooking utensil with a brush-like cloth end used for applying or spreading cooking oil when making rotis
• Pudden - Blood pudding (Food)
• Pull Bull - To operate an unlicensed taxi, using your private car as a taxi in order to earn extra money. To operate a licensed taxi without a taxi-driver's license. Also referred to as doing 'PH'. May also refer to male masturbation.
• Pull Stones - someone who works with a group but doh do much or pretends to do work
• Pum-Pum - Vagina or female private parts
• Punch-a-creme or Poncha-crema - a sweet dairy based beverage with or without alcohol (Rum) popularly served during the Christmas season. Similar to 'Egg Nog'
• Puncheon or Puncheon rum - is a high proof heavy type rum
• Pundit - a Hindu religious priest
• Puttigal or Poottigal - a variety of citrus fruit related to tangerine (Derived from 'Parte Egal' Patois/ Kweyol for "equal parts", as this fruit is easily separated into equal sections called "pegs". Later anglicised to "Portugal", the initial name and meaning had nothing to do with the European country)
• PJ-To be on a Private Job

Q-R

• Raaff - To snatch something. To steal in a boldface manner
• Rag-up - To verbally dominate and insult a person
• Rakshas - A demon (From Hindustani)
• Ragamuffin - a usually unkempt person who does not work always roaming some times commits petty crimes
• Rango-Tango - a state of disarray or of being unkept
• Real/Rehl/Rel - extreme/plenty (for example, "dah real bad" means "that's really good" or "He saying rel thing". (Meaning He have plenty!)
• Renk - a term used to describe a very foul odor
• Romey - Card game also known as 'Rummy'
• Roas like dah- extremely tired

• Rote - (Food) Sweet of Indian origin
• Roti - Several varieties of flat bread
• Roucou - fruit of the achiote tree whose seeds are used to produce an orange-red condiment and food colouring called 'Annatto'

S-T

• Saapee - Cooking rag or kitchen towel
• Saga boy or Saga girl - A very well dressed and/or stylish male or female
• Saheena - deep fried dal fritter made with either spinach or dasheen [from Bhojpuri Hindustani]
• Same or Sayme or Seim - a species of green beans
• Sapodilla - locally grown thin-skinned brown coloured fruit with a sweet pulp.
• Sawl-fish - Salted Fish or Vagina or female private parts. From 'Salt fish'
• Scyant or Scant - To b-boy or breakdance.
• Scyant-out or Scant-out - A breakdancing battle.
• Sea tattoo - a small species of crustacean that inhabits sandy seashores, also known as, Mole Crab or Sand Crab
• Sem- Seven
• Seven colours - native wild species of guppy fish said to display the seven colours of the rainbow
• Sive or Saive - (Rhymes with 'Dive') Chive (herb)
• Soca-Princess - A female player in the Trinidad & Tobago National Footbal(soccer) Team
• Socawarrior - A male player in the Trinidad & Tobago National Football(soccer) Team
• Socawarriors - The male National Football (Soccer) Team
• Soft hair - a term used to describe Afro-textured hair that is less coiled and considered easier to style
• Sometimeish - Describes a moody or unpredictable person.
• Sorrel - (also known as 'Roselle') is a Hibiscus plant species grown for its fruit which is steeped and made into a beverage popular around the Christmas season. Plant, Fruit and Beverage all referred to as 'Sorrel'
• Sou-Sou - A form of communal savings in which each member benefits from a rotational lumpsum
• Soucouyant (Pronounced 'Soucou-niya') - A female thought to be a vampire, who sheds her skin and flies in the night sky as a ball of fire. This term is also used to describe an evil woman.
• Sour - a term used to describe someone in an angry mood or a relationship that has gone bad
• Soursop - a large fruit with green spiky skin and white juicy pulp
• Souse - a soup-like dish traditionally made with bony animal parts (normally Pig or Chicken) and/or vegetables cooked and pickled in a thin broth
• Snat - Snot, phlegm or mucous from the nose. E.g. A 'snatty' nose is a runny nose
• Steups - the act of sucking air pass one's teeth, creating a sound of disapproval (also: steupse, chups, cheeups)
• Stinkin - used to emphasise other words (for example - "gih mih de stinkin ting nah!" ["give me the damn thing please"]) when one is irritated. It is used in a more vulgar sense, though is more acceptable than direct foul language. Similar words are blinkin, blasted, fleckin, friggin and flickin.
• Suck Eye - Boasting that something is 'really easy' to do, when its not easy to the average person.
• Sweedrink or Sweetdrink - Carbonated beverage, commonly called "Soda" or "Pop" in other countries.
• Sweetie - Hard candy
• Swell-up - swollen or when a person demonstrates a posture of being unhappy or displeased
• Tabanca - In a love sick state. Describes how someone feels after being cheated on by their loved one. Can also describe unrequited loved. (Taban-truck is the more severe form of Taban-car].
• Tambran - Tamarind
• Tankobean - Specific native fruit species also known as 'Tonkabean'
• Tanka-Lanka - A term used by children to insinuate on coming trouble to either themselves or someone else.
• Tanty - aunt, also a term for any woman older than oneself
• Tanty-man - An offensive term for an effeminate male person or a homosexual male
• Tatu - armadillo derived from Tupi ta'tu, also called Tatu in Brazilian Portuguese
• Tawa - A flat round cooking stone made out of iron used to cook flat-breads like roti
• Teef - Thief
• Throw Waist - to dance, specifically to "wine"
• Ting - Thing
• Tootoolbay - In a confused state or in a daze because of love problems. Similar to Bazodee. E.g. Richie was tootoolbay after he met the girl in the fete.
• Tout - A person hawking goods or services on the street, usually maxi taxis (minibuses). Also refers to a maxi taxi conductor in some cases.
• Toe Jam - Smelly substance that accumulates between the toes or Foot fungus that smells on unclean feet.
• Toelee - Penis
• Topitambo or Tipitambo or Pititambo - A native species of root vegetable
• Toting - One who carries feelings or holds a grudge for an unnecessary amount of time.
• Toetee - Penis
• Toolum - a candy (snack) made with coconut and molasses
• Toonie - vagina.
• Touchlight or Torchlight- A flashlight or torch in UK English
• "Tout Moun Bagaye" - (pronounced toot moon bagai) an exaggeration to say absolutely everything. From the French Creole "tout, Moun tout Bagaye" meaning everything and everyone around
• Trini to de Bone! - Pride in oneself for being a Trinidadian.
• Tulsi or Toolsie - a species of basil plant that has religious significance to Hindus
• Tun tun- vagina.
• Tutu - To defecate or the feces itself
• Twenty-four hours - small species of lizard, falsely touted to be venomous, where victims only have 24 hours to survive after being envenomed

U-V

• Vaps - A sudden and seemingly unexplainable impulse. E.g. "You catch a vaps?"
• Vex - Angry or Upset
• Vikey Vike/ Vikey Vai - to act with irresponsibility, or to act without concern for others. To do something in a haphazard manner. Eg. "De country in turmoil because of vikey vike decision making." Eg. "My wife acting vikey vike. Everytime my back turn she out de door limin' with she friends"

W-X

• Wah do you? or Wat do yuh? - Inquiring question meaning 'What's wrong with you?'
• Wajang - "Ghetto/ Hood rat" usually associated with poor conduct
• Wappee - Saliva or drool that leaked from the mouth and becomes dried or crusted on the face
• Way-Way or Whe-Whe - an illegal game of gambling
• Wuz de scene? or Wah iz d'scene? - A casual greeting equivalent to what's happening. (is sometimes said "wuz de good?" or "wuz de vibes?)
• Wham now? - Greeting equivalent to "what's happening now". E.g. "Aye Reeza, wham now?".
• Whappen?/Wham? - What happened?
• Whey/Whey Sah - Something shocking, astonishing or unbelievable. E.g. "Whey! If you did see that show!"
• WiddiAss/WhuddyAss - "What Nonsense is This?"
• Wine - a seductive form of dance involving circular or semi-circular movement of the hips especially. Can be done alone, with a partner, or many partners. E.g. "Javed was wining in the party on several women".
• Way - Where, for example "way yuh dey?" means "where are you?"
• Wood - Penis
• Wood lice - Termites/ another context for whore.
• "Wwgd?" - Wha we go do? Meaning What will we do?

Y-Z

• Yampee - the mucus that surrounds one's eye in the morning
• Yankee - pronounced (Yang-kee) an American
• Ying/Yeng - a derogatory slang word meaning tight. Mostly used to refer to someone's clothing (primarily pants).
• Yuh - you
• Zaboca - avocado
• Zangee - Also known as 'Janjee'. Eel like fish that inhabits fresh water ponds and waterways
• " Zess/Zesser" - pace/party/a person who dresses up well and always on the go!
• Zug-up or Zog-up - description for a bad haircut or being misshaped. A person with a bad haircut may be called 'Zug-head'

References

• Allsopp, Jeannette. 2003. The Multilingual Caribbean Dictionary of Flora, Fauna and Foods in English, French, French Creole and Spanish. Kingston: Arawak Press.
• Allsopp, Richard. 1996. Dictionary of Caribbean English Usage, with a French and Spanish Supplement. Oxford: O.U.P.
• Mendes, John. 2003. Cote Ci, Cote La - Trinidad & Tobago Dictionary. 2nd edition. Port-of-Spain: Medianet.
• Ottley, C.R. 1971. Creole Talk (Trinibagianese) of Trinidad and Tobago: Words, Phrases, and Sayings Peculiar to the Country. Diego Martin: the Author.