Kas-kas

noun KAS-kas ˈkaskas

Also spelled cass-cass, kaskas, cas-cas

A quarrel, dispute, or contention — the argument itself and the gossip, bad blood, and tale-bearing that swirl around it. When 'kas-kas buss', a noisy falling-out has broken open between people, often over 'susu' (whispered gossip) carried from one to another. The doubled word captures the back-and-forth of a heated dispute, and it names not just a single row but the whole simmering feud of accusation and hard words between neighbours or friends.

  • A big kas-kas buss between di two family.

    A big quarrel broke out between the two families.

  • Mi nuh inna nuh kas-kas.

    I'm not part of any dispute.

  • Di kas-kas start ova a likkle money.

    The quarrel started over a little money.

A reduplicated Jamaican word for strife, likely from 'cast' (to cast blame or aspersions); doubling stresses the back-and-forth of the dispute.

Close to 'cuss-cuss', but 'kas-kas' leans on the ongoing quarrel and bad feeling rather than the cursing itself.