R

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

  • rabbit
    [cf. Cayman rabbit agouti (Fuller 1967: 68)] n., Obs. a mammal, probably the hutia (Geocapromys ingrahami) or woodchuck (Marmota monax): 1788 The American marmot (Arctomys ...
  • rabbit grass
    (etym?] n. a plant, Distichlis sp.: 1910 (Northrop 135). (Black)   ...
  • Rabby, B'Rabby
    [cf. US Black Br'er Rabbit, Krio bra Rabit KED; from rabbit, perhaps influenced by Robby (nickname for Robert); the folktale character is of African origin: ...
  • race
    [W Car.; cf. Gul. "Dat fambly—all dat race o' People" (Writers' Program 1940:96); OED idem obs. →.1790; cf. Haitian ras relatives, ancestry HCEFD] n. a ...
  • race off
    [cf. E Car., Gul. race to chase away (Roy 1977:70); by transitivization] v. to drive (an animal) away: That goat eatin' out the peas, so ...
  • rack
     [W3 a framework or stand on which articles are placed] n. a clothes hanger. (Black) —v. rack ...
  • rag
    rag n. the tough, whitish skin adhering to sections of grapefruit, mamey, etc.: 1946 (Morton 56). (Andros, ...
  • rage
    [OED sudden rising of the sea→, 1577, except for 1885 Bah. quot. (Brassey 361)] n. a ground ...
  • ragged lady
     [from appearance of flowers] n. the spider lily, Hymenocallis sp.:1971 (Rabley 53). (San Sal.) ...
  • raggy
    [US dial. idem ADD] adj. ragged: 1918 a mangy, dirty, little raggy boy (Parsons 128). (Black) ...
  • rain catch 'em
     [cf. CATCH 8] phr. said of dancers who end up in the wrong position when a square dance is over: 1978 (Bethel 175). (Eleu., San ...
  • rain comin'
    [cf. RAIN CATCH 'EM] phr. said near the end of a square dance as a warning to dancers to end up in the right position. ...
  • rain crow
      1. n.[US dial. South idem "his note is supposed to foretell rain" WSC] a bird,[cf. RAIN CROW n. the yellow-billed cuckoo (Coccyzus sp.): 1971 (Paterson ...
  • raise
    v.t. [Gul. idem (Parsons 1923:135); OED idem →1856] to sing (a hymn): 1918 Dey raised a sing (Parsons 91). (Gen.) —vi. ...
  • raise (up)
    -- v.i. 1. [from OED, v.t,; cf. LIF' UP idem] to stand up, arise: 1895 W'en B' Big-head raise 'e broke 'is head off (Edwards ...
  • raisin leg
    [probably from appearance of dark sores, but cf. US dial. South rising a boil WEA, Krio rayzinbamp, rezbamp swelling, blister KED] n. also attributive, a ...
  • rake
    n. [OED implement with teeth fixed to a bar and long handle] an implement without teeth for scraping salt into piles in a salt-pond: 1974 ...
  • rake-and-scrape band
    [cf. RAKE 4 and DJE scraper a crude musical instrument; cf. also Bartlett 1848 rake and scrape together to collect] n. a band playing folk ...
  • rake broom
     n, a lawn rake. (Mayag., Inagua) ...
  • rally
     [OED to revive, rouse; Scots rally to go to and fro in disorder CSD] v. to march or STRUT (single file or by twos with arms ...
  • ram-goat
     [Car.; OED obs. →41634] n. a male goat: Papa kill one ram-goat to cook for Christmas day (Nassau). (Black) ...
  • ram's horn
     [from the shape of seed-pods] n. a tree, Pithecellobium unguiscati: 1889 (Gardner 379). 1977 P. guadelupense (Patterson 375). = TEAR COAT(Black) ...
  • ranch
    [Car.; cf. Sp. rancho hut] n. 1.a small, one-room shack. (Nassau) 2. often the ranch, a thatched hut used temporarily by fishermen: 1977 The fishermen ...
  • rancy
    (Black); ramcy (Eleu.); ramsy /rArnzil (Exuma) [cf.-.Brit, dial. West rancy rancid EDD] adj. rancid; moldy: He mussy ain't wash he clothes where they smell so ...
  • random
    [cf. US Black random rambling talk: "Stop your random" (Van Patten 1931:30); from OED random having no definite aim, possibly influenced by Yoruba ránunránun nonsense ...
  • rank land
    [OED rank luxuriant in growth] n. land with high trees and dense vegetation. = HIG BUSH, HIGH COPPET(White) ...
  • race (2)
    [OED, a contest of speed] n. a contest (not necessarily of speed): 1918 Le's have a race! [i.e., a tug-of-war] (Parsons 74). (Black) --v. [Prov. idem ...
  • rake
    v. 1. [cf. RAKEn.] to collect salt in a salt-pan with a rake: 1782 They go to ... rake salt at Exuma (Bruce 47). cf. ...
  • rantamskeet
    [etym? but cf. US dial. North rantum scoot outing, picnic ADD; also OED rantum scantum harum scarum, disorderly obs. → 1780] n., Obs. a kind ...
  • rap (1)
    [cf. US Black rap to converse, to verbally flirt (Claerbaut); OED rap (out) to utter (an oath); slang rap to swear against a person, to ...
  • rap (2)
    [OED, to strike] v. (in playing cards) to knock on the table to prevent another player from withdrawing his card: Charles play his ace and Don rap ...
  • raper
    [OEDS I idem; OED indicates rapist as US, but it is now the current Brit. term (Pye p.c.)] n. rapist: The government (should) .... put ...
  • rap someone up
    [cf. OED rap to knock] v. phr. to applaud someone, epsecially for a generous donation at a church CONCERT. (Inagua, Mayag.) ...
  • rash
    [cf. OED rash to scrape out obs. → 1650] n. boiled grated coconut with sugar, used as a pastry filling. = RUSH (San Sal.) ...
  • raspberry
    [OED, W3 different sp.] n. a prickly bush (sp?) with small white flowers, bearing black berries the size of pigeon peas. (Inagua, Mayag.) ...
  • rassle
    See WRASTLE. ...
  • rat-bat
    [W Car.; cf. BAT moth] n. the bat, a flying mammal. = LEATHER-WINGED BAT (Black) ...
  • rat-bat tree
    [etym? cf. MCC rat-bat bush (Saphrantus foetidus), DJE bat-bush (Passiflora sexflora) "from the spate of the leaf"] n. a tree (sp?) with yellow flowers. (Mayag.) ...
  • rather
    [W Car.; Gul. idem (Gonzales 1924:116); from would rather cf. Haitian pito préférer (cf. Fr. plutôt sooner, rather) TDKF] v. to prefer: 1940 I radder ...
  • rat-nanny tree
    [cf. NANNY excrement; from appearance of berries] n. a shrub (sp?) with small, edible black berries. (Exuma) ...
  • rat root
    [etym?] n. a plant (Chiococca alba?) used medicinally. = PEE-A-BED (Adelaide) ...
  • rat stick
    [from use in striking rats] n. a club: 1918 (Parsons 88). (San Sal.) ...
  • rattles
    [cf. OED ratlines idem, also rattle v. to furnish with ratlines] n. pl. ratlines, steps in a ship's rigging: You had to climb that rigging, ...
  • rat wood
    [etym?] n. a tree, Erythroxylon brevipes, with reddish bark and small red fruit: 1910 (Northrop 159). 1977 E. rotundifolium (Patterson 35). cf. EBOE LIGHTWOOD, REDWOOD ...
  • raw-bone, raw-born
    [cf. OED raw in a natural state, influencing OED raw-bone gaunt obs. → 1772] adj. genuine, real: She is a raw-bone Christian (Mayag.). I's a ...
  • reach (1)
    [Atlantic; Brit. dial. North, Mid idem EDD] v. absolute to arrive: Call me when you reach (Nassau). When five o'clock reached she said that it ...
  • reach (2)
    [Brit. dial. Gen. idem EDD] v. to retch: 1966 (Crowley 32). (Exuma, San Sal.) ...
  • receiver
    n. a receptionist-watchman for a public building. (Nassau) ...
  • red
    adj. 1. [Pan-Creole; cf. Haitian sik rouj (lit. sugar red) brown sugar TDKF; a calque: "in Twi and other W Afr languages red .... includes red, orange, yellow" ...
  • red banana
    [Car.] n. a variety of banana: 1918 a big bunch of red bananas (Parsons 51). (Gen.) ...
  • red bay
    [W3 different sp.] n. a tree: 1920 Persea pubescens (Britton 144). 1977 P. palustris (Patterson 48). (Inagua) ...
  • red bead vine
    [DJE, OED different sp.] n. a plant, Rhynchosia minima: 1889 (Gardner 377). (Black) ...
  • red bill
    n. a bird, the oyster catcher (Haematopus palliatus). (Acklins) ...
  • red cassava
    [cf. W Car. red-stick cassava, Sra. redi tiki kasaba WST; = WHITE (STICK) CASSAVA (cf. RED adj. 1)] n. a variety of cassava with a ...
  • red cassava
    [cf. W Car. red-stick cassava, Sra. redi tiki kasaba WST; = WHITE (STICK) CASSAVA (cf. RED adj. 1)] n. a variety of cassava with a ...
  • red coney
    [cf. CONEY (FISH)] n. a fish (sp?): 1928 Slippery Dicks and Red Coneys (Curry 70). (Gen.) ...
  • red cotton
    [from the reddish-brown color of its fibers] n. a variety of cotton plant (Gossypium sp.): 189 (Gardner 367). = HARBOUR ISLAND COTTON (Inagua) ...
  • red-eye Suzy
    [from its black with red spots] n. a tree, Abrus precatorius. = BLACK-EYED, BEAD VINE, MACABEE, (WILD) LICORICE, SUSAN TREE (White) ...
  • red-fin needlefish
    n. a fish, Strongylura notata: 1968 (Böhlke 116). (San Sal.) ...
  • red grits
    [Gul. idem (Parsons 1923: 132); cf. RED adj. 1] n. coarsely ground guinea-corn meal. = GUINEA-CORN GRITS, ISLAND GRITS, NATIVE GRITS, YELLOW GRITS (Eleu.) ...
  • red head
    [DJE, idem; from its bright red flower] n. a plant: 1889 Asclepias curassavia (Gardner 392). 1971 A. tuberosa (Rabley 11). cf. MILK-WEED (Inagua) ...
  • red hog
    [cf. RED adj. 2 and US Black "honkie, hoggie white man ... cf. Wolof honq red, pink, and frequent use of this color to describe white men in African ...
  • red land
    n. red clay loam: 1888 The soil used for [pineapple cultivation] is "red land" or good soil (Powles 221). = PINEAPPLE LAND; cf. BLACK LAND, WHITE LAND ...
  • red meal
    [Gul. idem (Parsons 1923:132)] n. corn meal or corn meal mush: 1934 He likes "red meal", which is maize-or corn-ground and boiled (Bell 83). cf. RED GRITS ...
  • red nicker tree
    [cf. NICKER (BEAN)n. a tree (Guilandina bonduc or Caesalpina bonduc). cf.YELLOW NICKER TREE (Eleu.) ...
  • red peas
    [Car.; "a variety of Vigna unguiculata or similar red bean" DJE] n. a small, round, reddish bean resembling PIGEON PEAS: 1832 Other crops mentioned include red ...
  • red seaside bean
    n. a plant, Canavalia obtusifolia, with pods: 1889 (Gardner 377). cf BAY BEAN, SEASIDE BEAN (Inagua) ...
  • red-seal coot
    [from the red shield above its beak] n. a bird, the common gallinule (Gallinula chloropus): 1972 (Paterson 52). = MANGROVE COOT (Andros, San Sal.) ...
  • red shank (1)
    or shanks n. a small tree which grows in swamps: 1920 Shanks ... Salmea petrobioides (Britton 453). (Adelaide) ...
  • red shank (2)
    [from its long, pink legs] n. a bird, the common stilt (Himantopus himantopus): 1960 (Bond 82). = SOLDIER BIRD, TELL-BILL-WILLY 1, TELL-TALE1, FILLIMINGO WAIT-MAN ...
  • red skin
    [Car.; cf. RED n. and W3 idem, a North American Indian] adj. (of people) having a light brown complexion and Negroid features: That red-skin boy ...
  • red Spaniard
    [cf. (Jack) SPANIARD idem] n. a bird, the Greater Antillean bullfinch (Loxigilla violacea): 1972 (Paterson 167). = BLACK CHARLES 2, SPANIARD, SPANISH PAROQUET (San Sal.) ...
  • red-spotted hawkfish
    n. a fish, Amblycirrhitus pino: 1968 (Böhlke 443). (Exuma, San Sal.) ...
  • red stopper
    [W3 different sp.] n. a tree, Eugenia confusum: 1977 (Patterson 81). (Gen.) ...
  • reduck
    [W Car.; cf. OED reduct to deduct a sum obs. → 1738] v. to deduct a discount, thereby reducing a price. (Black) ...
  • red wasp
    /red wahs/ [W Car.; from its tawny color] n. the paper wasp, Polistes annularis. (Andros, Exuma) ...
  • red wood
    [W Car.; W3 different sp.] n. a tree: 1731 Red-wood . . . 16 to 20 feet high. . the leaves shaped not unlike those of the Bay-tree: ...
  • reef conch
    [from habitat] n. a variety of conch (Strombus sp.). (Gen.) ...
  • reef eel
    n. an eel, Kaupichthyus hypoproroides: 1968 (Böhlke 72). (Eleu., Exuma) ...
  • Religion
    The Bahamas is a very Christian country; the largest groups are the Baptists (29%), the Anglicans or PISTABLES (23%), the Roman Catholics (22%), and smaller ...
  • reef shark
    [from habitat] n. a shark, Carcharhinus springeri: 1968 (Böhlke 15). (Black) ...
  • refuge, refew
    /réfyuw(j)/ [W Car.; cf. OED refuge to shelter, protect (now rare)] v. to rescue. (Black) ...
  • relaxing swing
    n. a hammock. (Black) ...
  • relax yourself, relax your mind, relax off
    [cf. OED relax reflexive obs. → 1784] v. phr. to relax; to stop worrying: Well, let's relax weself then! (Andros). Every day I does sit ...
  • relish
    [Car.; cf. OED a savory addition to a meal] n. the part of a meal having a distinctive flavor (e.g. meat and vegetables) in contrast ...
  • remedial
    [from the remedial education which such children receive] adj. mentally retarted: She teaches remedial children (COB). (Black) ...
  • remind
    /rimáyn/ [W Car.; OED idem (now rare or obs.)] v. to remember: 1918 He remin' six years ago he made a chicken-soup for her (Parsons ...
  • representer
    [OED idem obs. → 1726] n. a representative, especially a member of Parliament: He's my representer (Nassau). (Black) ...
  • resin leaf
    [from its somewhat resinous leaves] n. a tree, Terebraria resinosa: 1977 (Patterson 79). (Inagua) ...
  • rest down
    [cf. US rest up regain strength by resting] v. phr. to rest after exertion: 1918 He rested down ... went down, got a drink o' ...
  • rest your mouth
    [Car.] phr. to stop talking. cf. RUN YOUR (LONG) MOUTH. (Black) ...
  • rev
    [OED "abbrev. for reverend" (used with surname)] n. a familar but respectful term of address to a protestant minister, comparable to doc: The rev say ...
  • rheumatics
    [OED idem colloq. also U.S. dial. ADD] n. rheumatism: 1917 Plants  ... that "make de rheumatics go away out ob you legs" (Defires 105). (Black) ...
  • rhyme (1)
    [by metaphor] v. to move in coordination with another dancer: 1976 His movements were always lascivious and diected to one of the opposite sex ... ...
  • rhyme (2)
    v. [W Car.; cf. Brit. dial. West, Wales rhyme to talk nonsense; to tell lies; to compose EDD] to recount; to tell or sing about something ...
  • rhymer
    [cf. RHYME2] n. 1. [W Car.] a raconteur. (Black) 2. the lead singer in a RHYMING SPIRITUAL, usually a tenor who gives the story line: 1978 The lead singer is referred ...
  • rhyming spiritual
    (Eleu.); rhyming anthem (Inagua, San Sal.) [of. RHYME and ANTHEM] n. a kind of religious song sung in three parts: 1978 (Bethel 106). ...
  • rice
    See STICK LIKE WHITE ON RICE. ...
  • rice bellow, rice bullo
    [cf. OED pilau an Oriental dish consisting of rice boiled with fowl, meat, or fish, and spices, raisins, etc.; cf. US dial. South purlo rice cooked ...
  • rice bird
    (Black); rise bird (White) [cf. Gul. rice bud black bird (Rhame 1933:43);W3 rice bird any of several small birds common in rice fields] n. 1. a bird (sp.?): 1731 ...
  • ride (1)
    v. 1. [Trin. idem (Winer); cf. Gul. "Ole hag ...rides yuh", i.e. Witches "ride people asleep and cause horrible dreams as they sit on the chest of ...
  • ride (2)
    [Gul. idem (Parsons 1923:54); cf. DAE ride to convey in a vehicle obs. → 1848] v. to give someone a ride: My uncle ride tourist around in his carriage ...
  • riffle
    [OED groove] n. a slash: 1936 I cud draw razor on 'im an' gie 'im a riffle (Dupuch 65). (San Sal.) —v. [cf. OED a rocky obstruction ...
  • rig
    [Gul. idem (Parsons 1923:57); cf. OED rig to set in proper order for working nautical; to manipulate in some fraudulent manner slang; W3 rig up to assemble or improvise ...
  • right
    see GIVE SOMEBODY ALL THE RIGHT. ...
  • right here
    [Pan-Creole; cf. Haitian kouman ou ye? M la (lit. "How are you?" "I'm here") HCEFD; cf. Guy. I'm there idem (Allsopp 1977: 2); a calque; ...
  • right name
    [W Car.] n. real name, as opposed to a nickname. (Gen.) ...
  • right-right now
    [W Car.; cf. similar African reduplication for emphasis, e.g. Kongo onó-ono (lit. now-now) idem (Carter p.c.)] adv. phr. immediately. (Black) ...
  • right so
    adv. phr. just like that; with no further ado: The mothers today don't listen to the children say they prayers. They let them go to ...
  • rig-up
    [DHS an outfit; OED rigged out dressed] adj. over-dressed: You see how she was rig-up today (Grand Bah.). (Black) ...
  • rime
    [from OED rind the peel or skin of fruits and vegetables; by simplification of final consonant cluster + nasalization of preceding vowel + faulty reconstruction ...
  • rim-tim-tim
    [cf. rim + Rin-tin-tin dog in films] v. to fill a container with a liquid until almost overflowing. (Nasau) ...
  • ring around
    v. phr. (in the game of MOONSHINE BABY ) to put pebbles and pieces of broken crockery around a child lying on the ground so ...
  • ring dance
    [OED a round dance] n. a dance performed by a group standing in a circle with rhythmic accompaniment (clapping, drum, singing) and solo dancing at ...
  • ring play
    [Car.; cf. US Black ring-game idem (Davis 1914:250)] n. a dancing game performed by children in a ring around a participant in the center, to ...
  • ring-toe
    n. ainhum, a tropical disease of the toes: 1905 (Shattuck 406). (Gen.) ...
  • ripe
    [Car.; OED idem "now somewhat rare"; also Scots EDD and US Black (Faucet 1927: 260)] v. to ripen: 1976 [Sapodillas] were picked when full and ...
  • rise bread
    [cf. OED rise swell under leaven] n. bread made with yeast, as opposed to JOHNNY CAKE, etc. made with paking powder. cf. LIGHT BREAD (Andros, ...
  • rise up
    [OED to arise (from a seated position)] v. to arise (from bed): 1918 When the clock alarm, he must rise up and light a candle ...
  • roach
    [etym. uncertain; possibly from spouse's los of interest in caring for mate (cf. idiom)] v.t. cuckold someone; to sleep with someone's spouse or lover: The ...
  • roach berry
    [cf. DJE cockroach berry (Solanum aculeatissimum)] n. a large tree (sp?) with black berries. cf. COCKROACH BERRY (Andros) ...
  • roachy
    [etym?] n. penis (child's word). (Black) ...
  • road
    [OED any way or course obs. → 1826; cf. Sra. pasi road, path WST; Djuka idem, road, way (to do something) (J. Rubinowitz p.c.)] n. 1. route: We sail ...
  • road-talk
    [cf. ROAD] n. a rumour; information by hear-say: That's just a road-talk! (Inagua). ...
  • roast
    /rows/ [W Car.; OED "mod. use, to cook meat in an oven, for which older term is bake") v. to cook (meat) over a fire only, as ...
  • roasting ears
     [US dial. South idem, green corn, usually on the cob WEA] n. corn on the cob: 1963 An occasional cabbage, roasting ears, and tomatoes (Cottman 75). (Andros) ...
  • robe
    [cf. OED robes clothes in general obs. → 1770] n. an item of clothing: 1966 The part about my robe was a joke [referring to ...
  • robin
    [popularly derived from Robin Hood Flour, a brand sold in muslin bags later used for cothing; cf. US dial. South "robin, a short coat; possibly ...
  • robin read breast
    [OED, DJE different sp.] n. a bird, Spindalis zena: 1910 (Northrop 55). = TOM JAMES BIRD (Gen.) ...
  • rob somebody out of something
    [OED with prep. of only; cf. cheat somebody out of something] v. phr. ro rob something from somebody: She gon rob me out of my ...
  • rock
    n. [OED idem "US and Australian" but cf. Hatian róch pierre TDKF] a stone, of whatever size. (Gen.) -- v.t. [W Car.; US dial. South idem ...
  • rock balsam
    n. a shrub: 1835 Croton balsamiferum. -- Rock Balsam ... The leaves of this plant, dranw as tea, afford a drink highly beneficial in coughs, ...
  • rock bush
    [DJE idem] n. a plant, Phyllanthus epiphyllanthus, used medicinally: 1889 (Gardner 405). 1979 For mouth sores, the rock bush is washed and then chewed (Levanity ...
  • rockers
    [fr. Sp. maracas; cf. MUH my] n. pl. dried pods of the poinciana tree used as musical rattles. = CARACAS, PERACLAS, SHAKERS (Eleu.) ...
  • rock-hole
    n. a natural well: We goes in da bush fa fresh water from da rock-hole (Exuma). ...
  • rock oven
    /rohk owvan/ n. a free standing, mound-shaped outdoor oven, about four feet high, made of stones ...
  • rock snake
    [W3 Asian and Australian constrictors] n. a harmless, brownish snake (sp?). (San ...
  • rock spot fish
    [from markings] n. the smooth trunkfish, Acanthostracion polyonius. =HONEY-COMB COWFISH(Nassau) ...
  • rockstone
    [Car. and US dial. South idem, stone WSC] n. a hard flint ...
  • rod-wood
    n. a tree, Eugenia monticola or E. axillaris: : 1889 (Gardner 380-1). = WHITE STOPPER (San Sal.) ...
  • roller
    [etym.: see quot.] n. a variety of sponge: 1891 Some sponges adhere ...
  • rong bush
    [etym?] n. a plant, Wedelia bahamensis, with yellow flowers: 1920 rong bush ...
  • room
    [also Krio KED, Gul. (Parsons 1923: 89); cf. Port. quarto room, bedroom] n. bedroom: 1918 ...
  • rooster
    [OED cock (US and dial.); cf. Pap. palomba-gay (lit. pigeon rooster) dove (Hoyer 27)] n. often ...
  • rooster comb
    [from spike-shaped flowers] n. a plant, Heliotropium parviflorum: 1971 (Rabley ...
  • root (1)
    [OED source, origin (of qualities)] n. 1. source, cause: 1950 De root o' de vind be's up dere [refering to a cloud bank] ...
  • root (2)
    [cf. Krio rut root medicine KED; probably from plant roots used by a herbalist, with possible semantic influence from Common Bantu *-ganga medicine, ...
  • root doctor
    [cf. ROOT 2 and possible influence of BUSH-DOCTOR obeah man (via BUSH 1. forest) in Gul. wood-doctor and root-doctor idem (Parsons 1923:212)] n. an herbalist ...
  • rope plait
    [cf. PLAIT braid] n. macrame. (Abaco, San Sal.) ...
  • rose
    [W. Car.] n. any flower: 1976 Such trees bore no edible fruit -- ...
  • rose apple
    [W Car.] n. a tree, Eugenia jambos, or its fruit: 1827 The ...
  • rosy mango
    [Car.; from its color] n. a red and yellow variety of mango ...
  • rotten
    [Car.; OED idem (rare: 1611 only); also US dial. South WEA, WSC] v. ...
  • rotten away
    to (cause to) rot and disappear: 1895 'E poin' he finger at ...
  • rotten off
    to rot and fall off: 1977 My nose gonna rotten right off ...
  • rotten out
    (of teeth) to rot and fall out. (Black) ...
  • rough-bark pigeon plum
    [cf. PIGEON PLUM] n. a tree, Coccoloba northropiae , with dark ...
  • rough cocobey
    [cf. COCOBEY from Twi kokobe leprosy, referring to its rough surface] ...
  • rough sour
    [cf. SOUR citrus fruit: from the rough surface of its rind] n. ...
  • rounce
    [cf. Brit. dial. rounce to bounce OED; US dial. rounce a ...
  • roundance
    [from OED rounders a game played with a ball and bat between ...
  • round dance
    [cf. W3 idem, a ballroom dance in which couples progress around the ...
  • rounds
    [cf. rounds of beer, boxing, artillery etc.: cf. Haitian dechaje to ejeaculate ...
  • round-the-world
    n. 1. [from coild shape] a sweet bun with raisings and icing, ...
  • roving
    [cf. throve, past tense of thrive] adj. thriving: 1976 ...
  • roving sailor
    [OED a local name for various plants] n. a trailing plant, ...
  • row
    /row/ [DJE idem; from row v.; cf. Vir. oa' to row ...
  • rowdy
    /rawdi/ [OED (of persons) rough, disorderly; probably influence by OED row to quarrel ...
  • rowlocks
    [cf. OED rowlock device serving as the fulcrum for the oar when ...
  • row oars
    /row owz/ [cf. ROW, OARS oar] n. an oar for rowing, as opposed ...
  • row up
    /raw up/ [W Car.; cf. OED row idem; cf. Barlett 1848 row up to punish with words] v. phr. to quarrel with: I don't ...
  • rub
    [from motion] v. to scull (a boat): 1938 The partner sculls ...
  • rubber gun
    [from the band of rubber used to shoot the spear] n. the Hawaiian ...
  • rubber vine
    [W3 different sp.] n. a plant: 1920 Cryptostegia grandiflora (Britton 340). 1971 Echites umellata (Rabley 9). Goat ...
  • rubbige
    (Black); rubbitch (Eleu.) [cf. Gul. rubbige (Gonzales 1922:323); cf. OED rubbage rubbish obs. ...
  • rubbing off
    [cf. DHS rub-off a masturbation obs.] n. masturbation: 1971 (McCartney 113). ...
  • rubbish
    (San Sal.); rabbish (Eleu.) [cf. Krio rabish to rape KED; from ravish ...
  • rub toe
    [cf. DJE rub dance] n. a dance step, (San Sal.) --v. to perform ...
  • rude
    [Car.; OED uncivilized] adj. sexually agressive: You too rude, boy! (mock admonition ...
  • rudeness
    [Atlantic; cf. RUDE] n. fornication, usually in the phr. do rudeness (euphemism ...
  • rule
    [OED to control (a person or thing)] v. 1. to manage (a boat): ...
  • rum boy
    [cf. Montserrat rombo idem (Wells p.c.), DJErummer, DAS rummy]. n. an alcoholic vagrant: ...
  • run
    [OED to flow] adj. (of a liquid consistency) runny: 1966 When that (bread) was half done, only ...
  • running
    [cf. W3 the runs idem] n. diarrhea: 1963 To "plague wid de ...
  • runny-belly
    [Atlantic] n. diarrhea (child's word). See RUN YOUR BELLY (Eleu) ...
  • run(ny) mouth
    See RUN YOUR (LONG) MOUTH. ...
  • run-over days
    phr. the first three days of menstruation: 1966 (Otterbein 57). (San Sal.) ...
  • run-through
    n. a shower taken while a container of water is poured over the bather. (San Sal.) ...
  • rush
    [cf. RASH] n. 1. grated coconut, boiled with sugar and used ...
  • rush
    [cf. Brit. dial. North rush a crowd; to push EDD; Scots rushie tumult ...
  • rush scrap
    [cf. RUSH v. + SCRAP (GANG)] v. phr. to be part of ...
  • ryspree
    [etym?] n. a fish (sp?): 1782 ryspree, mullets (Bruce 46). A small spotted ...