Shame

adjective SHIEM ʃeːm

Also spelled shame-up, shiem

Embarrassed, shy, or bashful — as well as the feeling of shame itself. In Patois 'shame' works as a state: 'mi shame' means 'I'm embarrassed', and a shy child is 'shame-shame' or 'shame-face'. To 'shame up' someone is to embarrass them publicly. Being 'put to shame' or made to 'feel shame' in front of others is keenly felt in a culture that prizes reputation.

  • Mi shame fi go up deh inna front a everybody.

    I'm embarrassed to go up there in front of everyone.

  • Di likkle girl shame-shame roun stranger.

    The little girl is shy around strangers.

  • Yuh shame mi up inna front a mi friend dem.

    You embarrassed me in front of my friends.

From 'shame', used in Patois as a state (embarrassed/shy) as well as the feeling. See [[shame-mi-lady]], [[dry-yeye]].

Embarrassed/shy ('mi shame'); 'shame up' = embarrass someone. Opposite of 'dry-yeye'. See [[dry-yeye]].