Meaning
A sudden, unexplained whirl or gust of wind — a little dust-devil spinning up out of a still day — believed in folk tradition to be a duppy (spirit) passing by. When such a whirlwind rises on a calm, hot day, older people mark it as a duppy wind and may caution the children, since to be caught in it, or for it to blow on you, is thought to be unlucky or a sign. It ties the weather to the world of spirits.
Examples
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A duppy wind spin up di dust inna di yard.
A spirit-whirlwind spun up the dust in the yard.
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Move outta di duppy wind, it nuh good.
Move out of the whirlwind, it's not good.
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When breeze whirl so, ole people seh a duppy wind.
When the wind whirls like that, old people say it's a spirit passing.
Origin
From 'duppy' (spirit) + 'wind'; a whirlwind believed to be a passing spirit. See [[duppy]], [[whirlwind]].
How it’s used
A sudden whirlwind believed to be a passing duppy/spirit. See [[duppy]], [[whirlwind]].