Trinidad Dictionary [Song]

Uploaded by Clynton Mann
TRINIDAD DICTIONARY
By Mighty Conqueror

The Trinidadian slang is amusing
But most foreigners may find it confusing
So as I see, it is necessary
Trinidad should have its own dictionary
We all consent, English very hard to learn
So we invent a language of our own
But if you just land here, you in a monkey pants
To understand, you wouldn't stand a chance.

Like if we say, she try to mamaguy he, this jagabat
Well, not a foreigner at all can interpret that
That means she try to make he a coonoomoonoo
Meaning she want him mind she and she sweet man too
So he beat the wabine 'til she bazodee
As you should see, you can't disagree with me, pappy
Webster shoulda come to Trinidad to complete he dictionary.
You mustn't doubt me.

Take for instance, one day they hear a native say
"Tabanca have mih neighbour looking so tootoolbay."
A foreigner go bound to jump off he seat
And say, "Tabanca is a sweet piece of meat to eat."
And if you try to convince him, he may tell you you lie
Tabanca can't bring no tears to a big man eye
No, no, no, no, no ---------------
And go and tell he wife, "Tabanca for breakfast, please."

Hear we again, this big belly woman so conconsa
The mirasmee child getting cocobay
When you try to bamboozle your partner, Fred
You giving him a six for a nine instead
So they really should give the first prize to we
For our splendid speaking ability, you see
Webster shoulda come to Trinidad to complete he dictionary.
Doh doubt Conky.

Well, no one could state how these words originate
But who invent them, they really great
And I feel the time go reach, the government will teach
The school children to use them in speech
And you may hear the Doc saying, "Sukey, you too mauvais langue."
Or "Solo boy, you feel you is a wajank?"
But I betting anybody two cup ah tea
None of dem ent go search no dictionary.

Hear we again, you have cocoa in the sun, well look out for rain
That is a local quotation we ------------
And if you have cocobay try and doh get yaws
As you could see, the island ram-cram with stars
Now they does say Shakespeare great in philosophy
But they lucky he never tangle with we, you see
Webster shoulda come to Trinidad to complete he dictionary
Doh doubt Conky

So then when a tourist visit we island
He wouldn't have to get heself in confusion
Because he know the same kind of slangs like we
Using words like pappyshow and bazodee... But how you mean?
And if by chance, you get him in difficulty
He may say, "Wait!." and take out he dictionary
I bet you bound to get in an awful rage
If when you talking to he, he can't find the page.

Another thing, every week we'll have to change this dictionary
To try and keep up with the slangs in La Trinity
And when the year end, print a fresh pile again
As you should see, we really would be holding strain
But it would help tourism, this you must agree
A word like bobolee, of course, could be found under B, you see
Webster shoulda come to Trinidad to complete he dictionary.

Source: The lyrics posted on this blog are often transcribed directly from performances. Although it is my intention to faithfully transcribe I do not get all the words and I have a knack for hearing the wrong thing. Please feel free to correct me or to fill in the words that I miss by dropping me a message via e-mail. I'd be forever grateful. Thanks in advance! ..............................................................................................................................


A Note From The Gull

Thank you, Mighty Conqueror.

All Trinbagonians and others interested in the vernacular language should have access to a copy of Lise Winer's excellent Dictionary of the English/Creole of Trinidad and Tobago.

"Patria est communis omnium parens" - Our native land is the common parent of us all. Keep it beautiful, make it even more so.

Blessed is all of creation
Blessed be my beautiful people
Blessed be the day of our awakening
Blessed is my country
Blessed are her patient hills.

Mweh ka allay!
Guanaguanare