Fave Old Time Proverbs

Hi, peoples. Here's another flashback to one of my 2007 Independence posts. Enjoy.

As a "grandmother child" (i.e. child raised by grandparents), I grew up hearing a lot of Bajan proverbs and sayings that remain with me till this day. We Bajans have some very colourful sayings and here are 10 of my favourites:

10. Every fool got ‘e sense:
No matter how dull and ignorant, everybody is knowledgeable in one area or the other.


9. Cat luck en' dog luck
What one person may get away, may cause problems for another.

8. When yuh en' got horse, ride cow:
Utilize whatever resources you have available.

7. Don’t tek a six for a nine:
Do not misunderstand a person’s real intentions.

6. De berry don’ drop too far from de tree:
Children inherit traits and attitudes from their parents.

5. De higher de monkey climb, de more 'e show 'e tail:
The more you show off, the more your faults are brought to the open.

4. Evah skin-teet en' a laugh:
Not all outward signs of friendliness should be taken as genuine.

3. One smart dead at two smart door:
No matter how smart you think you are, there is somebody smarter than you.

2. Yuh could hide and buy ground but yuh can’t hide and wuk it:
It is impossible to hide your actions all the time.

1. De sea ain’t got nuh back door:
The sea is not that safe a place; take every precaution necessary.

For more proverbs, check Bajanfuhlife.com.