Definitions submitted by anonymous

Tune

Used to refer to a song, especially one that is exceptionally good or catchy. It’s a favorite word in Jamaican music culture, especially in reggae and dancehall circles.

Patois: Play dah chune deh again, it bad!
English: Play that tune again; it’s great!

Horn instrument

A traditional Maroon cow-horn instrument

Patois: Di abeng sound sweet when it blow.
English: The horn instrument sounds sweet when played.

Deal with evil

The practice of making deals with evil entities

Patois: Dem warn wi bout dealarance an its dangers.
English: They warned us about dealing with evil and its dangers.

Yesterday

The day before today

Patois: Mi did go beach yesideh.
English: I went to the beach yesterday.

Stepmother

A woman who is married to one’s father after the death or divorce of one’s mother

Patois: Mi step mada a help mi wid mi omwok.
English: My stepmother is helping me with my homework.