The Virgin Islands Dictionary: A Collection of Words and Phrases so You Could Say It Like We

By Kareem-Nelson Hull

The Virgin Islands Dictionary is a collection of words and phrases used frequently, naturally and enjoyably by the people who call the Virgin Islands home.
Don’t get me wrong, most Virgin Islanders speak English well. A growing number speak English and Spanish making that set bilingual, while a super special set speak English and a well-organised and brilliant dialect too and that makes them Vllingual!
Through the collection of words and phrases captured here, you get a sense of many things about the people of the islands: that they are sometimes curt, very funny, and insolently mischievous at times. The words coupled with the way Virgin Islanders dramatically speak, make for a good time and hours of fun.
This Dictionary will also do that, provide hours of fun and an easy tool for cultural exchange and pride and is THE BEST GUIDE for a newbie to learn the ins and outs of the Virgin Islands’ “language”.

• Language: English
• Publisher: AuthorHouse
• Release date: Nov 4, 2015
• ISBN: 9781504951753

Kareem-Nelson Hull

Kareem-Nelson Hull is a first generation Virgin Islander who was born on Tortola on Sunday 16th October, 1983. He was educated in the Virgin Islands until he graduated top of his Humanities programme with honours from the H. Lavity Stoutt Community College in 2003. He attended the University of Miami from 2004-2007 for his BSc in Broadcast Journalism and Literature and then again from 2009-2011 for his MA in International Relations. He has served his Territory as director of Protocol for the Government of the Virgin Islands and he is part of the duo that wrote the Virgin Islands Territory Song, “Oh Beautiful Virgin Islands”. He is founder of VIlingual, a movement dedicated to securing the identity of the BVI people through different art forms.

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© 2015 Kareem-Nelson Hull. All rights reserved.

No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or

transmitted by any means without the written permission of the author.

Published by AuthorHouse 10/31/2020

ISBN: 978-1-5049-5174-6 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-5049-5176-0 (hc)

ISBN: 978-1-5049-5175-3 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2015916310

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and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

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Because of the dynamic nature of the Internet, any web addresses or links contained in

this book may have changed since publication and may no longer be valid. The views

expressed in this work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the

views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.

Contents

Introduction

A Few Rules to Remember

A

B

C

D

E

F

G

H

I

J

K

L

M

N

O

P

Q

R

S

T

U

V

W

X

Y

Z

This dictionary is dedicated to…

My Messenger, the late Joyce Leslie who one day, while walking through the Ministry of Education and Culture, turned around, looked at me with her signature smile and said, you should write a book. I asked her on what and she said, just tell our story from your point of view. Ms. Leslie, this is part of our story. May you Rest In Peace.

My Family: my wife Ruthanna Marie, thank you for so many things!

I also dedicate this book to my parents Nelson Joe Jack and Coreen Hull. My father has always been my constant source of support and guidance and to my mother, I know you are mostly quiet, but always proud. To Aunty Ileta Williams, Aunty Verna Henderson, Aunty Janice Clarke, Aunt Faith Crooks, my cousin Shirmel Benjamin and moms Peola Jones and Ma, Jacqueline Malone who are as proud as my mother of my accomplishments in life thus far.

To my sister Ayana S. Hull who is as generous with her encouragement as she is with her chastisement, the example you elected to become before me is one of the strongest forces that influences me to do good.

To my other sisters Shira-Lee Brewley (my silent, but deadly inspiration) and Tasha Bertie (Ms. VI to de marrow)… it’s handled!

To Ms. Hilda, my moms and Marsha, Maurisha and Akil, you prove that family doesn’t always mean blood, but bond. Thanks for your love.

To my ace Hakim T’ron Creque and friend Hon. Temard Rudardo Butterfield, thank you for your support that comes without question and is given so freely. Hakim, thank you for being my eyes, ears and better conscience when my own capabilities failed. Boy, look at me now! Lol

To Jason Forbes and Raeshen Christian, my forever friends, I love you both. Distance has been no separation for true friendship and support.

A mi amigo Eliecer Antonio Marte, gracias por ser un amigo tan increible!

My Mentoring Friends, Eugenie Donovan-Glasgow, Delores Creque, Lydia Cline-George, Fiona Farrington, Egbert and Darlene Forbes, Avelinda Freeman, Marieta Celicia Flax-Headley, Gorvey Anderson Henry, Debra Hodge, Brenda Lettsome-Tye, Stacy Buddha Mather, Juliette Penn, Alivern Smith-Harrigan, Bisa Smith and Drs. Robert and Maris Wright—the best examples of Virgin Islanders I know. Thank you for sharing all your traditions and words with me through time.

Stephanie Akila Brewley, Rick Serrano Spencer Grant, Kharisma Martinez, Desiree Smith, Akesha Smith, Bernadine Louis, Natalie Hodge-Pickering, Natalie Hodge, Tamara Archibald-Gill, Celsus Andrew Zhivago Williams, Adon LaTrell Martin, Joshua Bodine Brooks, C. S. Damion Grange, Omari Walter Terry Keeles, Maria Victoria Glasco Smith, Keith Whitley, Natasha Freeland, Michael Delano Vante, Antonio D. Maynard, Craig Push Pop Lake, Sasha Shimora Hodge, Ibrahim Tarabay, Anthony S. Clarke, Sheldon Amenyo Keens-Douglas, Diehdra Potter, Robertine Scatliffe-Vanterpool, Tonya Bertie, Tara Stoutt, Kevin Shamal Fahie, Angelle Cameron and Sheriece Smith, thank you all for listening to my thoughts, researching my words, helping me with phonetics and for constantly checking on my progress. What better friends could God have given me?

My Favourite People in the World, the people of Z6NE especially Purcell Estate; particularly Irma Conor, my Day Ones: Tammi T. David, Tanya D. David, Kyan A. Robinson and Royan A. Robinson; I have been shaped by your hands and fashioned by your kindness. This comes out of you and is written above all, for you.

My Educators, Daisy Simmonds (my only God parent), Cicely Malone, Kirlin Lettsome, Hazel Brookes, Virginia Hodge, Shirley Martin, Lorna Dawson, Valencia Brathwaite, Javelin Nisbett, Veronique Forbes- King, Vanessa Mathias-Garraway, Douglas Johnson, Donna Clyne, Christopher Varlack, Celia Georges, Eleanor Creque, Dr. Sauda Underwood-Smith, Dr. Sylvia Monadene Mary Buntin-Simmons, Dr. Robert Moore, Dr. Patricia Saunders, Dr. Darlene K. Drummond, Gwendolyn Smith (Teacher Gweny), Jenny Wheatley, Mitch Kent, Vansitart Huggins and Sandra Ward—you always taught me that once I learned the game, I could break the rules. I’ve broken them all.

To Franka N. Potter, Edison Potter, Joan Johnson, Gemma Regis-Richardson, Artie Maria Hailey-Jamison and the NLBC PR Ministry 2014- Ms. Pat, Ms. Lydia, Ms. Karen, Ms. Symone, Gretlyn Sprauve, Ms. Lavy, Ms. Sharon, Lizette and Otto, Thank you for being EVERYTHING!

To Hon. Andrew A. Fahie, Hon. Alvera Maduro- Caines, Apostle Curnal Fahie, Dr. Kedrick Pickering and Bernard S. E. Gordon, thanks for the final push.

To the BVI High School Class of 2000, The Millennium Class of the Virgin Islands, #C02K, this is a testament that WE haven’t wasted a day in 20 years!

Words and support for The Virgin Islands Dictionary were made possible by:

Juliette Anthony, Alvin Tony Bertie, Tasha Icilma Bertie, Lavern Blyden, Elvera Brathwaite, Rikkiya A. R. Brathwaite, Rikkoi A. R. Brathwaite, Hon. Alvera Maduro-Caines- Representative for the Sixth Electoral District, Archibald Christian- former Territorial At-Large Representative, Najan Christopher, Bishop John I. Cline, Tammi T. David, Tonya D. David, Selvyn T. Woggy Dawson, Fiona Farrington, Jason A. Forbes, Ronnielle Fraser, Bernard S. E. Gordon, Xa’v D. M. Gordon, Rick S.S. Grant, Dean Sportsman Greenaway, Debra Hodge, Lyra Hodge, Natalie Hodge, Temulji O.R. Hughes, Ayana S. Hull, Carolyn Stoutt-Igwe, Calden K. A. James, Kevin W. Jones, Onika Samantha Malone, Jay J. Ollivierre, Eileen L. Parsons, Arliene T. Penn, Juliette Penn, Keren Penn, Albert Pickering, Khalil Pickering, Natalie Hodge-Pickering, Lee L. Richardson, DeAnna Richardson—thank you for your excitement, Akeem K. Robinson, Kyan Achille Robinson, Royan Achille Robinson, Dr. D. Orlando Smith- former Premier of the Virgin Islands, Akesha Smith, Desiree Smith, the late Ethlyn Aunt Et Smith, Ibrahim Tarabay, Reuben Vanterpool, Travis Walters, Myron V. Walwyn –former Minister for Education and Culture and Territorial At-Large Representative, Charmaine Welsh and Kenrico Orlando Wheatley, Jr.

Editing by:

Ms. Ayana S. Hull

Ms. Gwendolyn Smith

Dr. Sauda Underwood-Smith

Mr. Hakim Creque

Introduction

I believe that language is one of the most important identifying factors of our time. Whilst in the Cayman Islands in 2012 I stumbled upon a set of greeting cards that were all dedicated to using words that were becoming extinct in certain cultures. With the world’s movement towards a global society—one less obstructed by the different tongues heard in the post Babel world—it is increasingly important to record the literary and vocabulary tenets that make a culture unique. For us, it has always been our food, our dance, our landscape; our people and now we can seriously recognise our words, dialect and language as one of those tenets.

Truth be told, the inspiration for this dictionary happened somewhere in 2003 whilst I was sitting in a linguistics class at the H. Lavity Stoutt Community College. My professor, Dr. Joel Warrican, began explaining the word ‘semantics’, amongst other linguistic terminologies. I remember us briefly discussing whether the set of words that were used in the Virgin Islands could ever be considered a language. He doubted it, but admitted that it would be interesting to explore. That exploration began in my mind that day, though I didn’t have any idea what I was going to do with the words that I had began collecting.

Interestingly enough, my affinity for these Virgin Islands words and sayings grew when I was away from the Territory pursuing tertiary education. As President of the Caribbean Students Association at the University of Miami, I remember conducting a meeting where we discussed the different ways we say things throughout the Caribbean. I took great pride in sharing our words with them and in illustrating how some of the meanings of their words were totally different and unrelated to some of the meaning of ours. The planted seed was taking root.

Then in 2012, a divinely inspirational year, I received from the Holy Spirit, a moment of clarity and the name for my body of words came to me along with other literary works I could pursue in relations to the Virgin Islands, but somehow this work was highlighted as the one to begin with. I feverishly started to study dictionary formats, typing the over 1,200 words in a spreadsheet programme and began to contribute, once again to Virgin Islands history, by penning our own dictionary.

Broken English as it may be, the Virgin Islands way of speaking is uniquely funny and sometimes cheekily conservative. When the rest of the world says, I do not know, a Virgin Islander would simply save words and time by saying, Oin nuh (broken English for ‘I don’t know’) giving a sense of our acuteness at times and the straightforward temperament that has come to define us.

Professor Patricia Kuhl, the director of the Center for Mind, Brain, and Learning at the University of Washington tested whether babies speak with an accent. We can all conclude that babies rarely speak, but she did find that a baby of a certain culture is more responsive to the voices heard from people of that culture. This encourages me to believe that babies that are being raised in the Virgin Islands are developing an ear, per se, for the Virgin Islands’ tongue and when they begin to speak, we know that it will be with the crescendos, mildnesses and abruptnesses that define our way of speaking with each other. We shouldn’t be surprised therefore, if their early words are accompanied by hands akimbo and face set seriously before they suck their teeth strupes; it will only be them mimicking what they will come to see and learn, and hopefully realise are members of a set of behaviours and slangs that will accompany them throughout their lives –it will make them proud Virgin Islanders.

All Virgin Islanders do not use all the words in this dictionary. That we would all use the same words, slangs and phrases would be impossible as even within our tiny islands, many villages have developed distinct speech patterns—a longer drawl here and there—and even special words that when said and heard are immediately identifiable as a word from that village. These words are not reflective of only words taken from an immediate post slavery period or the period of time identifiable as the birthing period of our Territory; simply, all the words are not old. I have been cognizant to include words used by our young people today, acknowledging that no language, that is living and breathing, can be stagnant. I also hope to make sure that no one generation has a key to the encyclopedia of the Virgin Islands and thus barring new words, slangs and phrases from inclusion because they have to pass some contrived vetting process where only the right people with the right last names can allow a word’s ascension. Some of the words in the dictionary, I do not say, have never said and may never say like the colourful swearwords for example, but that doesn’t mean that they are any less a part of the Virgin Islands collection that binds us.

It is also fitting that I admonish each Virgin Islander that when reading a word that you may not know or say, to challenge yourself not to dismiss it as not we, but to come to terms with the fact that we have evolved, that we live in different villages and on different islands within the Virgin Islands and that though you may not say it, does not mean it isn’t or hasn’t been said.

From one proud Virgin Islander to another, I present to each Virgin Islander some of your words and phrases. To the visitors and friends that read this, I give you the most powerful key— besides land—for unlocking the codes of us as a people.

Now, get some maubi and a johnny cake (with ketchup) an ayo enjoy ayo self.

VI to deh bone,

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Kareem-Nelson Hull

A Few Rules to Remember

Man as a Suffix

The use of the word ‘man’ is common in Virgin Islands conversations. It will mean the human male form, but it is most likely just used as a suffix. It is common to hear a person say nah man which would mean no and while the use of man at the end of nah may imply that a male is the one being spoken to, man here is gender neutral and does not negate sex. So too, common uses would occur when one would say as man which is a term said in agreement. Others may say, not me man, which illustrates the use of man as reinforcement to the already definitive statement. It is quite possible that man may be the most versatile word used in the Virgin Islands.

Making Things Plural-The use of ‘them’

The plural form of all things in the Virgin Islands requires the use of the word them. Though a word may carry an ‘s’ to make it plural, in Virgin Islands language, the use of them is still necessary to make it plural in the authentic BVI way. Take for instance the word ‘shoes’. We understand that ‘shoes’ is the plural form of the word ‘shoe’, still, a Virgin Islander would pluralize that word ‘shoe’ by saying shoes them all the while maintaining the use of the ‘s’ which truly makes the word plural. Adding the word them to any word in the Virgin Islands will still make it plural.

Intensifying an Adjective by Repeating the Word

Adjectives modify nouns; they describe them to be exact: a girl may be pretty, while a boy may be handsome. The words pretty and handsome describe the nouns in the sentence. When a Virgin Islander wishes to intensify an adjective, he or she does not necessarily use an adverb. It is rather common to repeat the word that precedes the noun. Take for instance if something or someone is ugly. Normally you would say that it or the person is very ugly, but in the Virgin Islands it is best to say that it or the person is ugly, ugly or if she is pretty, it is said, she pretty pretty or she pretty bad. The repeating of the word intensifies the adjective and relinquishes the need for words like very, more, extremely and others.

The Use of B.V.I vs. V.I.

In modern times there arose the discussion as to whether this Territory should be referred to as the British Virgin Islands or as the Virgin Islands. The use of the ‘British Virgin Islands’ has become a staple, used to refer to the Territory even though all laws have always been written in the name of the Virgin Islands and agreements are only signed in the name of the Government of the Virgin Islands. Yet, the discussion came to the forefront of the Territory’s consciousness and it was declared that only the Virgin Islands is to be used. Thus, forms like Virgin Islands (U.K.) were discontinued in favour of a simple Virgin Islands. The issue is vexed and contentious as it also fiercely regards the apparent high jacking of the full identity of the Virgin Islands by our U.S. counterparts-the U.S. Virgin Islands. As a result of this issue, the International Finance Centre and International Affairs Secretariat maintains the use of British Virgin Islands for marketing purposes and to differentiate the Territory’s financial product.

Good Anything…

Though becoming lesser a community orientated Territory, the Virgin Islands maintains a healthy respect for the use of manners in general but more so manners pertaining to proper salutations. It is the rule, not the exception, to say Good Morning, Good Afternoon, and Good Night when they are appropriate to be used. While it is more proper to say Good Evening than Good Night (night is reserved for when you are leaving a home or when going to bed), Good Night is the acceptable Virgin Islands way to acknowledge someone once the sun has set.

No need for ‘H’

Words like three, thick, thank you, thousand and thought are all possible to be said in the Virgin Islands without the sounding of the ‘h’. The extra effort of placing the tongue between the teeth to pronounce the th beginning of these words is unnecessary. All Virgin Islanders will understand exactly what you mean without it. So feel free to say tree when referring to the numerical figure and not an element found in a forest i.e. It got tree trees in the front yard to be planted.

Is it Zee or Zed?

As a British Overseas Territory, the pronunciation of the letter ‘Z’ or ‘z’ is commonly zed. While we can accept someone referring to ‘Z’ or ‘z’ as zee it is better to say zed when referring to the call letters for the following radio stations: ZBVI, ZVCR and ZCCR. There are exceptions however; ZKING and ZROD have opted to be called by the American pronunciation zee.

How ‘W’ beats ‘V’

Although ‘V’ or ‘v’ comes before ‘W’ and ‘w’ in the alphabet, the letter ‘W’ gets twice the attention in the Virgin Islands. It is common that words beginning with ‘v’ are readily pronounced as though a ‘w’ is present at the beginning of the word. Albeit, a practice by older Virgin Islanders, it still creeps into conversations today. So when asked how you are doing today, it might just be that you are doing wery well, thank you.

Ms. Everything

A lady’s first name might be Gladys but in the Virgin Islands, it’s Ms. Gladys to you. It is considered rude not to put a handle on someone’s name in the Virgin Islands. Young persons especially should not be comfortable, even if the person insists that you call them by their first name, not to add Ms. before it. When ever you are in doubt use Ms. as a sign of respect.

Glad vs. Happy

If someone in the Virgin Islands is happy for you that is a good thing. If they are glad for you, that might not be a good thing. Though the words are synonymous, in the Virgin Islands, when someone says that he is glad for you it might be in a spiteful way and used to emphasize that he is in agreement that what ever has happened to you, which is usually negative, you deserve. You might hear the following sentences, Boy, I am so happy for you! This is positive. While Boy, I glad he aint win, is negative. Of course you can also use ‘glad’ for a positive thing, but do not get confused if it is used for a negative thing because it can actually denote a feeling of relief.

We Didn’t Sleep Together

Virgin Islanders are fierce defenders of manners and expect that persons would use common salutations especially in the mornings. It is therefore expected that you would always say Good Morning to someone that you meet. If you ever garner the disdain of a Virgin Islander that would prompt them to ask, You and me sleep together? know that you have officially insulted a Virgin Islander in one of the deepest ways possible. The question is simply meant to draw embarrassing attention to the fact that you have entered a room and or began a conversation without greeting the person first. Apologise, smile and say, Good Morning before proceeding. If you don’t, it won’t end well.

No Need for ‘is’ Before ‘a’

Continuing the Virgin Islands tradition or trend of making any sentence shorter when possible, feel free to discard—permanently—the verb ‘is’ in any form before ‘a’ in many sentences. Take for instance the sentence She is a fool. A Virgin Islander simply excuses himself from the complication of the verb and says, She a fool and understands the sentence with the same meaning and impact. The condition can also be used directly before a continuous present tense verb too. Eg. She reading right now, is the same as She is reading right now. So the next time you are being pressured to hurry up, remember there is no reason to be as polite as I am coming, simply say I coming! and avoid that pesky verb too.

Buddy is not your Friend

Yes, buddy!

Not me, buddy!

Gimme a chance no buddy…

Buddy is one of the staples among words used in the Virgin Islands. While it may seem that it is referring to a friend and it is placed within a sentence where it might as well mean friend, it does not. Buddy in the Virgin Islands is more a punctuation than having an individual function to mean any one thing. Buddy is a load-bearing word that seems to carry the weight of the moment and with its utterance there is a release of the tension filling the moment. It is important to note that buddy as a word will mean friend only when used to begin a sentence, but if the sentence ends with buddy then the speaker is probably noting some anguish with its use.

We Don’t Always Say It

People of the Virgin Islands are quite expressive. Our speech is not monotonous and sometimes we do not talk at all. There are a number of gestures and sounds that also make up the body of non-verbal articulation and that expand the vocabulary of the Virgin Islands people. Sounds like strupes which is to suck/kiss one’s teeth are very common and very effective to convey disgust without uttering a word. So too is the ‘cut eye’ which is the slanting of the eyes in the direction of a person that has angered you and the pushing up of the mouth which for some cultures is a simple pout, but for Virgin Islanders it is a badge of disgust that can be carried for a long time and many times in regards to the same issue. Sometimes the pushing up of the mouth is all that you might get in response to an irritating question.

A

A Barh [Ah Baarh] Noun-1. Bar. 2. a ride given by a bicycle rider to another person on either the handle bar or top tube of a bicycle. 3. an uncomfortable ride given by a friend from one place to another on a bicycle. 4. a ride given to a person on a bicycle where they are required to sit on the handle bar and in between the legs of the rider. 5. a ride given to another person on a bicycle sometimes on the back of bicycle standing on the cogset. 6. also known as a tow.

Say it like we: Kevin, gimme a barh down the road nuh man, I ain able to walk.

Ablunce [ey-buhl-unce] Noun-1. strength. 2. having necessary power, skill, resources, or qualifications.

Say it like we: Bethsaida and Sophie, I ain gah duh ablunce today wid no Cabinet Paper. We goin’ have to draft dat tomorrow, the Permanent Secretary said.

A book [ah book] Noun– 1. refers to the programme book that is printed for a funeral service. 2. highly sought-after memento from a funeral service. 3. an item that no proper Virgin Islander feels complete without once having attended a funeral.

Say it like we: See if yuh cuh bring a book fuh meh when yuh go by the chuch, ah wahn see if ah know dah pursin.

A Cause [ah kawz] Noun-1. a reason. 2. a purpose. 3. a calling.

Say it like we: Ah glad yuh geh ketch because you ain had a cause goin’ in Mr. Merrit pineapple fiel.

Ack [ahk] Verb-1. behave. 2. the process of doing.

Say it like we: He does ack funny sometimes so I dohn noh when to hail he or to leave he alone.

Ack Biggity [ahk big-gee-tee] Verb-1. pompous behaviour. 2. behaving with superfluous importance.

Say it like we: Since dah boy Hakim become a lawyer, I fine he does ack biggity.

Acking Up [ah-kin-uhp] Verb-1. said of a child who is not behaving properly in a controlled environment like church. 2. restlessness of a child that is distracting to the parent and other attendees at an event.

Say it like we: My modda used to hit me hard if I wah acking up in chuch when ih wuh boring.

Acks [ahks] Verb-1. to make a request. 2. to solicit for something. 3. to pose a question.

Say it like we: Lemme acks yuh a question, das your woman?

A Clout [ah klout] Noun-1. a hard blow delivered to the back of the head with the open palm of the hand. 2. a serious blow driven to the head of one person by another in anger or in play.

Say it like we: Keep playin’ wid me and see if I dohn hit you a clout today.

A Do [ah doo] Noun-1. a chance. 2. an opportunity 3. a turn.

Say it like we: Gimme a do on the Play Station nuh, you always hoggin’ up dah game.

Afro Tree [af-roh] Noun-1. a number of large, sprawling trees sheltering the Sunday Morning Well and on the property of the Elmore Stoutt High School. The afro tree is given its name because of the shape of the canopy of the trees which resembles an afro. The area became known as a venue for heavy smoking and other negative activity until it was cleaned, restored and repurposed as a monument to emancipation.

Use it like this: I rememba when man used to smoke unda duh afro tree so hard dem say duh chilren dem in High School used to geh high an all. Ih was really a ‘high’ school.

Agriculcha Fair [agh’reh cull cha] Noun-1. Agricultural Fair. 2. event held by the Department of Agriculture during the month of February as part of Farmer’s Week. 3. a weekend fair held by the Department of Agriculture on the agricultural grounds at Paraquita Bay on Tortola. 4. an exhibition and competition fair where local farmers show their produce to be judged and/or sold. 5. the largest and longest-running fair in the Virgin Islands.

Say it like we: Wah you wearing to go agriculcha fair dis weekend?

Ah [A-h] Adjective or Article (Indefnite)-1. meaning ‘a’. 2. the Virgin Islander’s pronunciation of the letter a; the first letter of the alphabet. 3. word proceeding a singular object.

Say it like we: Da boy playin’ wid ah ball.

A Handle [ah han-dl] Noun-1. a formal title placed before a name as Virgin Islanders consider it rudely disrespectful to call older people by their first name unless invited to do so. 2. ‘Ms.’; ‘Mrs.’; ‘Teacher’; ‘Hon.’ and others.

Use it like this: I find myself still calling ev’ryone Ms. Ana, Ms. Darlene or Ms. Lydia because when we were young we were taught never to call someone by their first name only or we would get slapped.

Ah Born Here [ah bawn heer] Interjection-1. a popular phrase used by Virgin Islanders to assert their right to anything at anytime. 2. the banner of birth right for a Virgin Islander becoming the reason many things should be reserved or bestowed to them even without investment and achievement. 3. the first statement hurled at an expatriate person who may be seen as rude, difficult, demanding or as trying to usurp a job, position or the property of a local.

Say it like we: ‘Well I had to remind my boss Bitter End juss like Shereen calypso say, ah born here an he ain goin’ fire me for being late once ah week."

Ah Feel Good [ah feeeeel gud] Political expression-1. phrase borrowed from the late James Brown’s popular song I Feel Good and made popular by Mark Vanterpool during the 2007 election campaign. 2. phrase first used by Mark Vanterpool during his 2007 campaign launch at The Band Stand in Road Town that prompted the making of the popular red, white and blue I Feel Good t-shirts.

Say it like we: Boy ah feel good dat the NDP gowament get in.

Ah Good! [ah gud] Interjection-1. expressing delight at the misfortune of another. 2. an expression usually repeated after a person has suffered some small but recoverable injury usually happening after the person was cautioned against it.

Say it like we: Ah good fuh yuh! Ah tell yuh don’t touch the pot or it would bun you.

Ah Good While [ah gud wyle] Slang-1. a long time. 2. a considerable amount of time in the past or in the future.

Say it like we: It goin’ be ah good while before dah next set ah johnny cakes goin’ be ready. You wahn to wait for your order or come back?

Ah ha, pingidy whop (mommy suck ah lollipop) [ping-iddy wha’p] Interjection-From primary school children; 1. a chorus sung by primary school students that follows an act that is punishable; usually with licks. 2. you are in trouble. 3. you are going to be punished.

Say it like we: Ah ha, pingidy whop mommy suck ah lollipop. Yuh goin’ get it from Ms. Lettsome, the children said in a chorus to the frightened child.

Ah Lil’ [Ah lill] Adjective-1. a small amount of an item. 2. denotes an insignificant occurrence. 3. a specific reference made to demonstrate the small size of an object.

Say it like we: Jay stop dah noise ’bout you ain geh no invitation on toime, tis juss lil’ party we keep up fuh she.

Ah Lil’ Bit [Lill] Adjective-Used at any age; 1. indicating a small amount of anything. 2. a displeasing amount of an item. 3. a common descriptor used to indicate the size of the portion that is required of a particular thing.

Say it like we: Only gimme ah lil’ bit ah dah LSL cake, I on ah diet.

Ah nuh [ah n’uh] Interjection-1. I know. 2. used to preceed an assertive and definitive statement.

Say it like we: Ah nuh who ain’ goin’ dung the road today in the hot sun is me.

Ah nuh [ah n’uh] Suffix-1. you know. 2. the end of a sentence. 3. also said as yuh nuh.

Say it like we: After she cuss me off I dun decide, meen goin’ dung deh agen ah nuh.

Ah vex [ah vexx] Expression-1. in a state of being upset. 2. completely annoyed. 3. extremely irritated stemming from provocation. 4. upset to the point of seeing red. 5. so angered that if cut, blood would not flow because it too is upset and still. 6. filled with anger.

Say it like we: Boy, ah vex wid she for sayin’ dah in front ah he. You know he goin’ go back an tell the boss now.

Ahyuh [ahy-y’uh] Pronoun-1. you all. 2. referring to a group of people of which you are excluded. 3. said to one person that stands proxy for an entire group. 4. meaning a certain kind of people. 5. sometimes spelled ayo and pronounced differently but possessing the same meaning.

Say it like we: Ahyuh comin’ beach wid we?

Use it like this: Ah acks yuh to borrow da carh and yuh lie to me and tell me it wasn’t wukin’ and it wuh well wukin’. Das how ahyuh is.

Ain Pullin’ [ain puh-lin] Idiom-1. the result of a disagreement. 2. to be at odds; where a relationship once was. 3. fallen out badly. 4. actively separated from