Meaning
The head of a school — the principal, or 'head teacher' — a figure of great authority and respect (and fear) in traditional Jamaican schooling. Being 'sent to di headmaster' meant serious trouble and often the strap. A female head is the 'headmistress'. The word carries the weight of the old, disciplined school system.
Examples
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Dem send him to di headmaster fi fight.
They sent him to the principal for fighting.
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Di headmaster rule di whole school strict.
The headmaster runs the whole school strictly.
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Everybody fraid a di headmaster office.
Everybody's afraid of the headmaster's office.
Origin
From 'head' + 'master'; the school principal / head teacher. See [[teacha]], [[strap]].
How it’s used
The school principal/head teacher; a figure of authority. Female = headmistress. See [[teacha]], [[strap]].