Meaning
A ladies' man — a charming, smooth man who is a favourite with the women, the 'sugar' (the sweetheart and sweetness) of all the girls. Popularised by a well-known dancehall song, the phrase names the sweet-talking heartthrob who has the ladies swooning, the one the 'gyal dem' (the girls) all want. It belongs to the frank, playful dancehall talk of romance and conquest, a boast and a title for the man whose charm makes him irresistible, worn with the same swagger as 'gyalis'.
Examples
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Him tink him a di gyal-dem sugar.
He thinks he's the ladies' favourite.
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Di gyal-dem sugar walk inna di dance an all eye pon him.
The ladies' man walked into the dance and all eyes were on him.
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Every gyal-dem sugar have a sweet mout.
Every ladies' man has a smooth tongue.
Origin
'Gyal-dem' (the girls — 'dem' marks the plural) plus 'sugar' (sweetheart); popularised by Beenie Man's hit 'Girls Dem Sugar'.
How it’s used
Names a charming ladies' man; note 'dem' as the Patois plural marker on 'gyal'.