Patwa (Jamaican Patois) Play audio Translation Edit link
JACKASS ROPE
homegrown tobacco, twisted into a rope
JAH
God; possibly derived as a shortened form of Jahweh or Jehovah
Jah Ras Tafari, Haille Selassie, King of Kings, Lord of Lords, conquering Lion of Judah; Rastas revere Haile Selassie as the personification of the Almighty
Jah know
(excl.) I don't believe this!
that's for sure!
Lord knows
JAM-DOWN, JAMDUNG, JAMROCK, JA
Jamaica
"Jam" to press down "dung" down. Ironic reference to social and economic conditions of the masses
JAMMIN
to be having a good time, to be dancing calypso/soca
JANCRO
n. literally John Crow, buzzard
JANGA
shrimp, crayfish
JELLY
a young coconut, full of jelly
Jet
to leave, depart
JON CONNU
n. (John Canoe). Bands of elaborately masked dancers appearing around Christmas. They ressemble the ancestral dancers of West Africa, but the ety. of the word is unclear
JOOK, JUK
to pierce or stick, as with a thorn or a long pointed stick
also used in a sexual context
JOOKS
(v.) hangout, relax
JUDGIN'
adjective, everyday or ordinary clothes or shoes worn in the yard or in the bush, as in "judgin' boot".
Also as a verb, to judge, with a similar meaning
Juice
liquor
Junjo Fungus
JUU as a verb, rain a juu; as a noun, juu rain. It means a light rain or drizzle.