Cubbitch

adjective KUB-bich ˈkʌbɪtʃ

Also spelled cubitch, cubbich, covetous

Covetous, greedy, and grasping — begrudging others and hungry for more than one's share. A 'cubbitch' person wants everything for themselves and resents anyone else having anything, unwilling to give or share and forever eyeing what belongs to others. Worn down from English 'covetous', it sits with 'craven', 'greedy', and 'red-eye' in the rich Jamaican vocabulary of avarice and envy, and it is a real reproach in a culture that values generosity and sharing what little there is.

  • Him too cubbitch fi share.

    He's too greedy to share.

  • Cubbitch people never satisfy.

    Greedy people are never satisfied.

  • Nuh be so cubbitch, gi di pickney some.

    Don't be so grasping, give the child some.

The Jamaican pronunciation of English 'covetous', worn down over time to 'cubbitch'.

Disapproving, close to 'craven' (greedy) but with a stronger sense of begrudging others. Not a vulgar word, despite the sound of it.