Meaning
An affectionate and respectful term for an old man, father, or grandfather — a way of honouring a male elder. From an African source (a fatherly title in several West African languages), 'tata' survives in Jamaican speech as a fond name for a beloved old man of the family or district, carrying the same warmth toward elders that 'maama' carries toward old women.
Examples
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Tata siddung pon di verandah every evening.
The old man sits on the veranda every evening.
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Mi granfada, wi call him Tata.
My grandfather, we call him Tata.
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Respect di tata dem inna di district.
Respect the old men in the district.
Origin
From a West African fatherly title ('tata'); an affectionate name for a male elder. See [[maama]], [[puppa]].
How it’s used
An affectionate, respectful term for an old man/father/grandfather; African-derived. See [[maama]], [[puppa]].