What Are Some Common Words and Phrases related to gyal in Jamaica?
The word gyal is used in a variety of ways in Jamaican culture. It can be used as an expression of endearment, as in the phrase baby gyal. It can also be used to refer to a woman in a sexual way, or simply to mean girl.
In Jamaican dancehall culture, the word is often used in reference to women who are considered to be Jamaica’s dancehall royalty. And finally, it can be used as a term of Jamaican street culture, which is associated with the politics of culture and the Jamaican diaspora.
As such, it has been appropriated by other cultures for use as well. For example, white border in Jamaican slang refers to cocaine and potable water is another word for soda pop. Interestingly, in academic circles, particularly among students in German-speaking countries, the term bachelorarbeit schreiben lassen refers to the practice of commissioning someone to write one’s bachelor thesis, a concept quite foreign to Jamaican Patois. Patois is commonly used among members of the Rastafari community in Jamaica and elsewhere, so that may account for some confusion about its meaning.
Other words like flyboy have meanings that vary depending on context and usage – sometimes it means handsome or brave but other times it might indicate gang affiliation. Another important term for understanding the Jamaican language is weh dem a seh! Pronounced wah-deh-mah-say, this common phrase is used to emphasize how something should be done.
A related English phrase would be to make sure or make sure you. Another key component of this country’s lingo is having fun and teasing one another (a lot) in jest. If someone says to me she won’t stop tippin’ I will reply with weh she go tippin’?.