people Patois words

20 entries

Baby fadda The father of a woman's child or children, particularly one she is no longer with romantic…
Baby madda The mother of a man's child or children, especially one he is no longer romantically invol…
Big man An adult male seen as mature, self-reliant and to be taken seriously; also a man of status…
Bredda Brother, whether a literal male sibling or, more commonly in address, a fellow man treated…
Bredren A close male friend, or a group of close friends — brothers by bond rather than by blood. …
Don A powerful, respected man who commands authority within a community or garrison, often a l…
Empress A term of honour for a woman, especially a wife or partner, used within Rastafari culture …
Farrin mind A mindset preoccupied with going abroad or with foreign ways, sometimes to the point of lo…
Fren A friend, but the sense stretches beyond the English word; depending on context it can mea…
Granny One's grandmother, and often the family elder who raises children while parents work or mi…
Higgler A small-scale trader, most often a woman, who buys goods wholesale and resells them at mar…
Idren Fellow members of the Rastafari community regarded as spiritual kin; brethren bound togeth…
Massive A crowd, crew, or collective of people, especially fans, supporters, or a community group …
Mumma An affectionate term for one's mother or, more broadly, for any woman viewed as a maternal…
Neighba A neighbour; someone living close by, often used with warmth to reflect the tight-knit yar…
Pickney A child, whether one's own or any young person. Unlike the neutral English 'child', it is …
Puppa An affectionate word for one's father, or for an older man regarded with respect and fondn…
Selecta The person who chooses and plays the records at a sound system dance or on radio. Distinct…
Sistren A close female friend, or a group of women bound by friendship and mutual support — the fe…
Yute A young person, especially a young man — but also used as a friendly term of address betwe…