Trini Phrase: Obzocky

Obzocky ungainly and poorly dressed. Especially women that are fat and wearing conspicuously ill-chosen colours or clothing.

• Obzocky, obsockie, obzokee, obsukky, obzoky, obzockie, upzuckie  (adj):  Unbalanced; awkward-looking; of ungraceful line or shape; of a batsman, not flowing or smooth. (Possibly Kikonngo  zakazaka ‘shaking’).
  • “Allyu only eatin’ ah set ah junk food like dem social bakes dey does call Pizza, an’ allyu still want to find out why allyu gettin’ fat an’ obsozky.” (Keens-Douglas 1984:87)

Obzocky and other phrases from Trinidad & Tobago can be traced back to English, French and Spanish origins. Mother-giver is one such word that has its roots in the English language. Growing up in Trinidad and Tobago is interesting because the slangs can change over time. I have lived in the United States for 20 years now, and every time I travel back to Trinidad and Tobago, I have to reacquaint myself with the words and phrases that have evolved.

Trini phrases such as Kunumunu and Obzocky are an oral tradition meant to pass on the stories to the next generation. Other Trini phrases in the vernacular are Bad John, Mother Giver, Eat and Wipe Mouth Like Fowl.

Want to learn another Trini slang?  Then click Trini for an alphabetical listing of all the slangs.

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Source: Dictionary of the English/Creole of Trinidad & Tobago by Lise Winer

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