Meaning
Literally 'cloth' — but in Jamaican profanity it is the key building block of the strongest curse words. Historically it refers to a menstrual or toilet cloth ('rag'), which is why compounds like bloodclaat, raasclaat, and pussyclaat are so heavily taboo. On its own 'claat' is sometimes used as a shortened exclamation of shock or anger.
Examples
-
Wah di claat a gwaan here?
What the hell is going on here? (strong)
-
Di word 'claat' is di root a di worst Jamaican curse words.
The word 'claat' is the root of the worst Jamaican swear words.
Origin
From English 'cloth', pronounced 'claat' in Patois; the vulgar force comes from its original reference to a soiled menstrual or toilet rag. It combines with blood-, raas-, pussy-, bumbo- and batty- to form the major Jamaican expletives.
How it’s used
Documented for understanding. As the base of the strongest Jamaican curses, any 'claat' word is highly offensive and unacceptable in polite or formal settings.