pickney
/ˈpɪknɪ/
In Jamaican, the English phrase 'kid' is translated as pickney.
pickney is used to refer to a child or a kid.
Meaning: child (colloq.) (noun)
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈpɪknɪ/
Did you know?
- The term has traveled far beyond the Caribbean, appearing in Pacific languages like Bislama and Tok Pisin as 'pikinini'.
- In Jamaican culture, the term pickney can be used for a person of any age if they are acting childish or immature.
- While pickney is widely used, it can carry a strong social stigma or be viewed as derogatory in certain formal contexts due to its historical origins.
Examples in context
- Di pickney a play inna di yard.The kid is playing in the yard.
- Mi pickney hungry fi food.My kid is hungry for food.
- Dat pickney too loud!That kid is too loud!
Example conversation
Tanesha and Kevon are talking in a neighborhood street.
- TaneshaKevon, look at di pickney run.Kevon, look at the kid run.
- KevonYeah, di pickney fast!Yeah, the kid is fast!
- TaneshaHim name a Junior.His name is Junior.
- KevonJunior a good boy.Junior is a good boy.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry pickney, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries pickney, CC BY-SA 4.0.
