Meaning
A house built of wooden boards rather than block and concrete — the traditional and humbler home of rural and poor Jamaica. A 'board house' signals modest means, set against the sturdier, more prosperous 'concrete house', and it is more vulnerable to storm and fire; yet many hold cherished family memories of growing up in one. Cheaper and quicker to build, often raised on stones or pillars, the board house is the classic dwelling of the countryside and the yard, a symbol of humble origins and of home.
Examples
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Him grow up inna a likkle board house a country.
He grew up in a little wooden house in the countryside.
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Dem save up fi build a concrete house from di board house.
They saved up to build a concrete house to replace the wooden one.
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Di ole board house still stand.
The old wooden house is still standing.
Origin
A house made of 'board' (timber planks); the traditional building style before concrete block became common.
How it’s used
A wooden house, marking humbler means versus a 'concrete house'. Common in rural and older communities.