Meaning
A smooth manipulator in relationships — a player who 'programmes' or plays people, especially lovers, to get what they want, juggling partners and running game. To 'run a programme' is to work an angle or scheme on someone, managing and manipulating them for one's own advantage, and the 'programma' is the operator who does it with practised skill. It belongs to the frank Jamaican talk of romance and its games, naming the calculating charmer who plays his lovers like pieces on a board.
Examples
-
Him a real programma, him a juggle three gyal.
He's a real player, he's juggling three girls.
-
She run a programme pon di moneyman.
She worked an angle on the rich man.
-
Nuh badda wid dem programma deh.
Don't bother with those players.
Origin
From 'programme' (a scheme/plan) plus '-a'; one who 'runs programmes' — schemes and manipulations, especially romantic.
How it’s used
A romantic manipulator/player; 'run a programme' = work a scheme. Compare 'gyalis', 'jinnal', 'bunna-man'.