Jamaica Proverbial Philosophy. 53 



Shut mout nebber ketch fly. 



When yeye (eye) meet yeye, man 'fraid. 



Man no dun cross ribber musn't cuss alligator, " long 

 mout." 



If fish come from ribber bottom tell you alligator hab 

 teet-ache, believe him. 



Rain nebber fall a one man door. 



No tek narra somarri yeye so sleep. 



Tiger old, dog bark after him. 



Hen da cattle and da 'joyment himself, him no know 

 say hawk da watch him. 



Man hate you, him gib you basket for carry water, 

 but if you clebber you will put plantain leaf in dey. 



Lie worse dan sore. 



Dog say, sooner dan pay sixpence for trousers, him 

 will pay doubloon (a Spanish golden coin of value 

 £2, 4s. od.) for bone. 



Dog massa gib him money for buy bench, dog tek it, 

 buy bone, and say, Big Massa (the Creator) nebber ben 

 mek him for sit down 'pon bench. 



Fowl nebber lick him own chicken too hot. 



Horse no business da cow play. 



Cow horn nebber too hebby for cow head. 



If foot miss pass, him can find it, but if mout miss 

 pass, him no can find it. 



Shoes one know say 'tocking hab hole. 

 When you hab berrin' you no pick and choose you 

 grabe-digger. 



Braggin' ribber nebber drown anybody. 

 Sit down nebber tell him Massa " get up." 

 Big word nebber crack man jaw-bone. 

 Ole fire-stick soon ketch. 



