Cuss

verb KUSS kʌs

Also spelled curse, cuss-cuss, cuss off

To curse, swear at, or verbally lash someone. As a noun, 'cuss-cuss' is a loud quarrel full of cursing, and to 'cuss off' someone is to give them a furious tongue-lashing.

  1. verb To curse, swear at, or scold someone harshly.

    • She cuss him off inna di road.

      She cursed him out in the street.

    • Nuh cuss inna front a di elders.

      Don't use bad language in front of the elders.

  2. noun 'Cuss-cuss' — a loud, cursing quarrel or verbal fight.

    • A big cuss-cuss buss out inna di yard.

      A big cursing quarrel broke out in the yard.

    • Dem two always inna cuss-cuss.

      Those two are always in a shouting match.

The Jamaican pronunciation of English 'curse'; the doubled 'cuss-cuss' follows the common pattern of repeating a word to name the drawn-out activity.

'Cuss' covers everything from mild scolding to a full profane tirade. 'Cuss-cuss' is specifically the noisy quarrel.