1179 results
Belize
Same knife kill sheep kill goat
The thing you do to others can be done to you.
proverb
Jamaica
wappy kill phillup
A long time ago. As far back as can be remembered.
Antigua & Barbuda
paper flower
Bougainvillea - A large, climbing shrub that is used as a hedge, potted plant or can be trained to climb other trees or trellis to create a dramatic vine effect. The actual flowers are small and white but are hidden by the showy vibrantly colored petals surrounding them. The paper textured petals are seen around the islands in vibrant colors of yellow, red, fuchsia, white, pink, purple and orange.
plant
Jamaica
Clear conscience sleep a tunda
Those with a clear conscience can sleep well through the stormiest nights
proverb
Belize
piss a bed
An herbal remedy for bed-wetting, hence the name. It may be the wild coffee plant.
Belize
senna
An herbal remedy for bed-wetting, hence the name. It may be the wild coffee plant.
Trinidad & Tobago
laylay
Small red fruits of the Cordia collococca tree, that grows in bunches. They can be sweet, but have a stainy taste and an astringent effect.
food
Haiti
Kay koule twompe soley soley men li pa twompe lapil.
A leaky house can fool the sun, but it can't fool the rain.
proverb
Belize
milky way
A frozen dessert made from condensed milk, cinnamon, nutmeg and put in a plastic wrapping. Sweet corn, kraabu, papaya, guava, mango, or lime can be added.
food
Antigua & Barbuda
Jamaica
nayga
A negro - a person with African ancestry. Most Caribbean people of African descent can trace their heritage to slaves brought by the British, French, and Spanish.
person
derogatory
Belize
corn lob
A lob made from corn juices and corn meal ;usually made by a mill. It is has been passed down for generations by the indigenous Mayas and can only be found in Belize.
food
Jamaica
cerasee
The bitter tasting tea made from the leaves and vines of a variety of bitter melon plant (Momordica charantia). It is regarded for it's purported medicinal value - especially as a purgative.
food
Montserrat
Trinidad & Tobago
jumbee bead
Bracelets or anklets made by stringing together the brightly coloured seeds of the plant Abrus precatorius. The bracelets worn to ward off jumbees or other spirits and influences.
Barbados
De las' calf kill di cow
The final straw breaks the camel's back - Doing something once too many can cause disaster.
proverb
Haiti
ananas
Pineapple - a tropical plant with edible multiple fruit consisting of coalesced berries, named for resemblance to the pine cone.
plant
fruit
food
Bahamas
Jamaica
pine
Pineapple - a tropical plant with edible multiple fruit consisting of coalesced berries, named for resemblance to the pine cone.
food
fruit
plant
Antigua & Barbuda
St. Lucia
zanana
Pineapple - a tropical plant with edible multiple fruit consisting of coalesced berries, named for resemblance to the pine cone.
plant
fruit
food
Jamaica
sorrel
A drink made from the steeped roselles/flowerettes of the sorrel plant. It is particularly popular during the Christmas season.
food
Jamaica
mischief come by di poun an go by di ounce
People can stir up a lot of trouble with very little action or very few words
proverb
US Virgin Islands
devil bead
The seeds and plant of the climbing legume Abrus precatorius. It is primarily known for its brightly coloured seeds which are used in jewelry, art and craft, and as filling for percussion instruments and shakers. Most seeds are bright red with a black eye. However, they also occur in full red, full black, green, and white.
plant
Jamaica
johncrow bead
The seeds and plant of the climbing legume Abrus precatorius. It is primarily known for its brightly coloured seeds which are used in jewelry, art and craft, and as filling for percussion instruments and shakers. Most seeds are bright red with a black eye. However, they also occur in full red, full black, green, and white.
plant
Trinidad & Tobago
jumbee bead
The seeds and plant of the climbing legume Abrus precatorius. It is primarily known for its brightly coloured seeds which are used in jewelry, art and craft, and as filling for percussion instruments and shakers. Most seeds are bright red with a black eye. However, they also occur in full red, full black, green, and white.
plant
Guyana
falernum
A sweet syrup used to make drinks. It contains flavors of almond, ginger and/or cloves, and lime, and sometimes vanilla or allspice. The syrup can be alcoholic or nonalcoholic. The consistency is thick, with color ranging from white to light amber, and it may be clear or translucent.
food
Trinidad & Tobago
cocorete
The fruit of Attalea maripa, commonly called maripa palm which is a palm native to tropical South America and Trinidad and Tobago. This fruit is yellow and edible that is oblong ovoid and cream. An edible oil can be extracted from the pulp of the fruit and from the kernel of the seed.
fruit
food
Trinidad & Tobago
cocorite
The fruit of Attalea maripa, commonly called maripa palm which is a palm native to tropical South America and Trinidad and Tobago. This fruit is yellow and edible that is oblong ovoid and cream. An edible oil can be extracted from the pulp of the fruit and from the kernel of the seed.
Jamaica
ackee poison
Jamaican Vomiting Sickness is a poisoning caused by ingestion of the unripe arils of the ackee fruit, its seeds, and husks. It is characterized by acute gastrointestinal illness and hypoglycemia. Severe cases can be fatal.
Guyana
bacoo
A small, mostly nocturnal, dwarf-like, forest creature with long arms and legs. They love milk and bananas and will bond with a family upon entering the home of people who feed them. They can be trapped by luring them into a rum bottle with milk and bananas and throwing it into the sea.
Barbados
Guyana
bacoos
A small, mostly nocturnal, dwarf-like, forest creature with long arms and legs. They love milk and bananas and will bond with a family upon entering the home of people who feed them. They can be trapped by luring them into a rum bottle with milk and bananas and throwing it into the sea.
folklore
Trinidad & Tobago
buck
A small, mostly nocturnal, dwarf-like, forest creature with long arms and legs. They love milk and bananas and will bond with a family upon entering the home of people who feed them. They can be trapped by luring them into a rum bottle with milk and bananas and throwing it into the sea.
Trinidad & Tobago
bolli
A gourd that is used for utilitarian purposes, and not for food. The skin or shell of the large green fruit hardens to become wood-like when dry. The shell can then be carved and is used to make a variety of items including cups, and bowls and decorative pieces.
plant
Grenada
bolli dish
A gourd that is used for utilitarian purposes, and not for food. The skin or shell of the large green fruit hardens to become wood-like when dry. The shell can then be carved and is used to make a variety of items including cups, and bowls and decorative pieces.
plant
Barbados
Belize
Dominica
Guyana
Jamaica
St. Kitts & Nevis
Trinidad & Tobago
calabash
A gourd that is used for utilitarian purposes, and not for food. The skin or shell of the large green fruit hardens to become wood-like when dry. The shell can then be carved and is used to make a variety of items including cups, and bowls and decorative pieces.
plant
Trinidad & Tobago
calibash
A gourd that is used for utilitarian purposes, and not for food. The skin or shell of the large green fruit hardens to become wood-like when dry. The shell can then be carved and is used to make a variety of items including cups, and bowls and decorative pieces.
US Virgin Islands
gobi
A gourd that is used for utilitarian purposes, and not for food. The skin or shell of the large green fruit hardens to become wood-like when dry. The shell can then be carved and is used to make a variety of items including cups, and bowls and decorative pieces.
plant
Jamaica
packy
A gourd that is used for utilitarian purposes, and not for food. The skin or shell of the large green fruit hardens to become wood-like when dry. The shell can then be carved and is used to make a variety of items including cups, and bowls and decorative pieces.
plant
Jamaica
patty
A light flaky pastry filled with a savoury filling. Traditionally they were filled with ground beef, but modern incarnations can have a variety of fillings including chicken, callaloo, cabbage, or ackee and saltfish.
food
Haiti
soup joumou
This a a dish typically serve the first day of every new year, but can serve whenever as well.
Trinidad & Tobago
caraille
A variety of bitter melon plant (Momordica charantia). A vine bearing a small bumpy skinned yellow or orange fruit. The leaves are used to make a bitter herbal tea that his regarded for its medicinal and purgative properties
plant
Barbados
Belize
Grenada
Jamaica
Trinidad & Tobago
cerasee
A variety of bitter melon plant (Momordica charantia). A vine bearing a small bumpy skinned yellow or orange fruit. The leaves are used to make a bitter herbal tea that his regarded for its medicinal and purgative properties
plant
Trinidad & Tobago
chinee tambran
Fruit of the Vangueria madagascariensis tree which is a species of flowering plant in the Rubiaceae family native to the African continent having edible fruit. It is a large, orange fruit that is edible and often consumed locally.
fruit
food
plant