tap
The English word stop is translated into Jamaican as tap.
The word tap is used to indicate that an action or process should not continue, similar to the English verbs cease or desist. Additionally, the phrase Ease up is used to ask someone to calm down, stop their current behavior or to relax and ease off.
Meaning: not to continue (verb)
Which one should you use?
The phrase Ease up is a specific way to suggest that someone should relax or moderate their behavior.
Did you know?
- In Jamaican Patois, the word stop can be a false friend for English speakers because it often means to stay or remain in a place rather than to cease an action.
- The meaning of tap can shift from a polite request to an aggressive order based entirely on emotive intonation without any change in wording.
- The word tap is a linguistic marker of identity that signals a speaker's connection to Jamaican-English Creole culture.
Examples in context
- Tap dat right now.Stop that right now.
- Yuh need fi tap di noise.You need to stop the noise.
- Mi a tell yuh fi tap di jokes.I am telling you to stop the jokes.
Example conversation
Shanice is annoyed by Kevon's humming.
- ShaniceKevon, please tap dat humming.Kevon, please stop that humming.
- KevonMi didn't even know mi was doing it.I didn't even know I was doing it.
- ShaniceJust tap it and let me think.Just stop it and let me think.
- KevonAlright, mi stop.Alright, I've stopped.
