Trini Phrase: Doux-Doux

Estimated reading time: 2 minutes

Doudou, doodoo, doux-doux (n): Sweetness; sweetie; a Trini phrase of affectionate endearment, usually used to females.

French doux ‘sweet’; such repetition is common in French Creole, but some reduplicated forms of doux, including as a term of affection, are historically found in the east and north-east of France, Aud-Buscher 1989:13; also possibly Yoruba dun ‘is sweet’ = dood(s).

“Ah…done tell mih wifey wot to do when I die.  Ah tell she, ‘Doo-Doo gyul, when I die, please bury min wit’ a bottle in each hand” (Sweetbread, Express 21 July  1982:42).

Dou-dou is most common in Trini folk speech but copied through calypsoes my many artists in the Eastern Caribbean.

Some examples of dou-dou used in Trini phrases:

• ‘Put you’ trust in God, doodoo’, Ma Christine kept saying.
• ‘Put you’ trust in God.’ ‘Don’t cry doodoo-darlin”, said Ma Christine, gently patting her on the shoulder.

Doux-doux is a common Trini phrase I heard growing up in Trinidad and Tobago. Interestingly 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 folklore such as Papa Bois is an oral tradition meant to pass on the stories to the next generation. Other Trini phrases in the vernacular are, Light Candle, Obzocky, Kunumunu, Lime and Mother Giver.

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

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