Meaning
A traditional saying — the short, figurative sayings that carry Jamaican wisdom, handed down from 'old-time people'. Rooted in African oral tradition and country life, proverbs teach through animals, weather, and everyday work: 'one one coco full basket', 'every mickle mek a muckle', 'wanti wanti cyaa get it, getti getti nuh want it'. They are quoted to settle an argument, warn, or console, condensing hard-won sense into a line.
Examples
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Old-time people always have a proverb fi it.
Old-time people always have a proverb for it.
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Mi granny teach mi dat proverb.
My grandmother taught me that proverb.
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A proverb seh one one coco full basket.
A proverb says little by little the basket fills.
Origin
From English 'proverb'. Jamaican proverbs draw on African oral tradition. See [[old-time-people]].
How it’s used
Traditional figurative saying carrying inherited wisdom; quoted to advise or settle a point.