With 700 islands and even more cays, The Bahamas is a paradise of pristine shores spanning more than 100,000 square miles of ocean. Beyond the beaches there are lively streets, culinary discoveries and a rich history that reaches from the capital of Nassau to the outer islands of The Exumas.
English may be the official language of The Bahamas, but just like many islands in the Caribbean, the country has its own collection of colorful sayings. Commonly known as Bahamian English, it’s a mixture of Queen’s diction, African influence and island dialect. When you cruise to The Bahamas with Royal Caribbean, not only will our shore excursions help you easily navigate the adventure in store, but we’ve also got you covered with tips for speaking the local lingo.
Use this handy lingo to get around and you won’t get lost in translation, even if it’s just thanking the bartender for the delicious Coco Loco.
Bahamian spiny lobster is a unique delicacy.
Credit: iStock
Ordering
First things first: filling your stomach:
- Conch = Large mollusc
- Switcha = Lemonade
- Crawfish = Spiny lobster (also known as a langouste or crayfish)
- Duff = Boiled, fruit-filled dough with a rum-flavored sauce—a national dessert
- Sky juice or gully wash = A local drink of the Out Islands, stemming from Prohibition, that consists of gin, coconut water and sometimes sweetened condensed milk
Transportation
Keep these in mind if you and your group are exploring on your own:
- Jitney = Bus
- Back-back = To reverse in a car
- Buck up = To crash
General Phrases
Walking through the bustling streets, you’re sure to hear a few of these:
- What da wybe is? = What’s up?
- Een nothing. = Nothing much.
- Whatchusayin? = What are you saying?
- Tanks. = Thanks.
Pro tip: The “h” is typically dropped in Bahamian dialect, similar to “tings,” meaning “things.” - Whatchusayin, bey? = Everything cool, aye?
Exclamations
In The Bahamas, a “whatchamacallit” is a “tingum,” but that’s far from the only saying you may hear on the street:
- Well mudda sick! / well muddo! = Oh my gosh! / you’re kidding!
- Bey = Can be used to refer to a man/woman; can also mean “look here.”
- Dem = Plural marker/group of people
- Tingum = A word used to refer to a person, place or thing whose name cannot be easily recalled.
- Jam up = Crowded/full
- Mash up = To damage/break
- Yeah, ya see. = Indeed.
- I straight. = It’s all good.
No matter which island you are cruising to in The Bahamas, these phrases will keep you in the know. Whatchusayin, bey?
