Trini Phrase: Bobol

• Bobol, , boboll, (n): Graft; corruption; fraud; embezzlement. (Origin: South Central Zoombo Kikongo lu- ‘corruption’; Kikongo ‘become corrupt; go rancid’). Kikongo either of two similar Bantu languages spoken in Congo, the Democratic Republic of Congo (Zaire), and adjacent areas.
  • I wonder if it’s , What they doing with taxpayers’ money at all. (Atilla “Treasury Scandal” 1937)
  • Yeh, ah hear e have big house wit’ swimmin’ pool an’ e have 4 big cars…” “So wot business he in?” “Bobol!” (Sweetbread, Express 1 October 1980:23)

---

I remember growing up in Trinidad it was authentic comess after Dr Eric William death as to who was going to run the People’s National Movement (PNM) and it was real bobol as to where all the “oil” money went.

---

Click here now for other Trini expressions and leave us a comment below of phrases you have heard.  Visit our NEW eStore!

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

Featured Image: History in HD on Unsplash