lawd
The English phrase "omg" is expressed in Jamaican as lawd.
lawd is used as an exclamation to express shock, surprise, disbelief or exhaustion. A common extended version used for additional emphasis is lawd a mercy.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
lawd is a highly colloquial expression common in everyday Jamaican speech.
When do people say it?
In Jamaican culture, the phrase Lawd have mercy! is a colorful and widely used expression to convey surprise, excitement or shock. Note that while lawd is a common exclamation, the phrase Bumbo claat! is considered strong language in Jamaica.
Did you know?
- Although lawd is rooted in religious language, it is used as a secular exclamation by people of all faiths and non-believers across Jamaica.
- The expression lawd have mercy can be used sarcastically to mock someone who is overreacting to a small problem.
- While lawd is a common exclamation, it is often used rhythmically in Jamaican music and poetry to punctuate emotion or stress a point in a song.
Examples in context
- Lawd, look at di size a dat cake!Omg, look at the size of that cake!
- Lawd, mi can't believe it.Omg, I can't believe it.
- Lawd, di rain start real heavy.Omg, the rain started really heavy.
Example conversation
Latoya and Kevon are watching a sudden storm outside.
- LatoyaLawd, di sky jus' turn black!Omg, the sky just turned black!
- KevonYeah, de storm a come fast.Yeah, the storm is coming fast.
- LatoyaMi hope di roof noh leak.I hope the roof doesn't leak.
- KevonNo watch nuh, everything okay.Don't worry, everything is okay.
