Only a Lucian would…

There are some words and expressions in Saint Lucia that outsiders just won’t get – the little turns of phrase that make conversations here unmistakably ours. From the bus stand to the market, Lucians have a way of saying things that carries humour, exasperation, and a whole lot of character.

• “How is me uh?”
  Commonly used when removing oneself from an unacceptable situation. E.g “How is me uh?” Christa said after her stepfather, James asked her to hang out his laundry
• “AA”
  Usually used on its own to express disbelief or shock. Also followed by “Just so?” to intensify disbelief. 

• “Mouth open, story jump out” 

Commonly used in gossip. It means that the truth has finally been exposed. E.g, Julien finally told the police about what happened that night.

• “Asiay!” 

Often used to exaggerate a situation. E.g “Asiay, you really stupid ee”

• “Mama!!”
  Used in many contexts, commonly to exaggerate and to show shock. E.g. “Mama!” Kenny exclaimed when he saw the total cost of his groceries at the counter in the supermarket. 

• “Small up yourself”- used by public bus drivers to persons already on board when trying to fit more persons onto the bus. E.g. “Small up yourself big man, the back taking one more”.

• “Garçon/ Gassa”
  Friend/ comrade. Commonly used to tell an interesting story or in a squabble. “Gassa your bus don’t have enough space for all these people you want to pick up”, Trey tells the driver when the driver asks him to ‘small up’ himself so he could fit one more person in the back seat.

• “Mwen pa mélé / Ma mélé”
  I don’t care. Used to show one’s lack of concern for something. 

• “You fulling my head”
  Used to show intolerance with someone’s ranting or venting. E.g. “You fulling my head,” Kevin said to his girlfriend when she was simply complaining about him not spending time with her.

• “Abeh bon!”
  Creole term, usually used to show frustration. 

• “Wer, wer, wer”
  Used to show disappointment. 

• “I coming just now”
  When someone says this, everyone knows they’re nowhere close. 
• “Ro ro”
  Gossip/ arguments / mess. “You always in some ro-ro.”