Meaning
'What's happening?' — a casual greeting run together from 'what happen'. Used to say hello and ask how things are ('whappen, mi bredda?'), it can also, with a sharper, harder tone, become a challenge — 'what's your problem?', 'what have you got to say?' — squaring up to someone. A very common everyday opener, its meaning turns entirely on tone, from a warm, friendly hail to a confrontational demand.
Examples
-
Whappen, star? How yuh stay?
What's happening, man? How are you?
-
Whappen to yuh? Why yuh a look pon mi suh?
What's your problem? Why are you looking at me like that?
-
Whappen di deh, everyting good?
What's up there, everything good?
Origin
Contraction of 'what happen(ing)'; a common greeting alongside 'wagwan'.
How it’s used
Friendly as a greeting, but 'whappen to yuh?' can be a confrontational challenge depending on tone.