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We don't play hockey, we eat ackee

A funny bit of wordplay by deejay Shabba Ranks that depends on the overlapping pronunciations of 'ackee' (the food) and 'hockey' (the game). This pron

Wen yu gwine knock anansi memba di wall

When you try to hurt another be sure you aren't hurting yourself.

Wha nu kill fatten

That which does not destroy you makes you stronger

What is joke to bwoy is death to frog.

One person's fun and games may have serious consequences for another.

whe goat do, kid falla

Children invariably adopt all the bad attributes of their parents.

when ashes cold dog sleep de

Circumstances change.

When bull foot bruk, im nyam wid monkey

Misfortune or harsh time creates unlikely companionships

When cloud shado come, sun nu set

One rough time does not mean all hope is lost

When coco ripe it mus bus

All will be revealed when the time is right.

when eskimo have money him buy fridge

People with too much money spend it on unnecessary things.

When jackass smell corn him gallop

Use the appropriate encouragement for each person

when man dead him nu fraid fi rotten

No need to fear things that cannot harm you.

When rat like ramp roun puss jaw, one day him gwine en up in puss craw

If you continually flirt with danger you will eventually get hurt.

When trouble ketch yu, pickny shut fit you

People squeeze themselves into tight situations in order to escape trouble.

who beg nah get and who nu beg nu want

Nobody is getting any.

willful waste bring woeful want

You will often find yourself needing the things you wasted

Willin pickny belly full, unwillin pickny belly empty

Children who are helpful and willing are better rewarded

Wise monkey know wha tree fi climb

Choose your goals or battles carefully

Young bud nu know storm

The young and inexperienced don't understand true troubles or hardships.

Yu cyaa ride cow an cuss cow kin

You shouldn't criticise those on whom you depend.

Yu neva si pop gun kill alligator

Don't expect success if you set someone a task that is beyond their ability

Yu nu know how parson get him gown.

Don't envy the success of others when you don't know what it cost.

Yu shake man han, yu nu shake him heart

Appearances can be deceiving

yu spread yu bed haad, yu affi liddung pan it hard

You have to live with the consequences of your actions