Boy, he was real flashy, chupid flashy. Hat stick up on he head wit’ ribbon tie all over, two-tone shoe, sharkskin pants fada, hot tie.
- Fada, fadder, farder, father (n): An intensifier usually positive, emphasising the large, grand, superlative, impressive, or exaggerated quality of something. Usually placed after the word it modifies.
- Boy! He bring home a big, big American Buick! That is car fadder!
- Dat year was fete fadder. An wat about de year dat Crazy “Nani Wine” and Baron “Somebody” had people dancin. Dem tunes mash up de place, boy. (Foster 1990:51)
The various words and 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 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 Sancoche, Kaka-Nay, Rum Jumbie.
Click here now for other Trini expressions and leave us a comment below of phrases you have heard.
Source: Dictionary of the English/Creole of Trinidad & Tobago by Lise Winer
Featured Image by Chris Benson on Unsplash
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