hail
The English phrase "greeting" (as a noun) translates to hail in Jamaican.
In Jamaican Patois, hail is commonly used as a verb meaning to greet or acknowledge someone. You might use the phrase hail mi to tell someone to greet or acknowledge the speaker.
Meaning: acknowledgement of a persons presence or arrival (noun)
Did you know?
- While hail means to greet, the most common actual greeting in Jamaica is Wah gwan, which is a contraction of 'What is going on'.
- Ignoring a hail from a peer in a community setting is often seen as a significant social slight or a sign of 'stush' (pretentiousness).
- The term hail shares a root with the English 'hail' used in 'hail a taxi', emphasizing the act of signaling someone.
Example conversation
Andre and Shanti meet on the street.
- AndreYow, Shanti! Wah gwan?Hey, Shanti! What's going on?
- ShantiAndre! That was a loud hail you give me.Andre! That was a loud greeting you gave me.
- AndreMi just glad fi see yuh, man.I'm just glad to see you.
- ShantiMi glad fi see yuh too.I'm glad to see you too.
