Jamaicans have a lot of proverbs. Have you ever noticed how many of them reference everyday animals? Today Our Today will be looking at those proverbs that mention dog.

Wen Dawg hav moni im buy cheeze 

Translation: When a dog has money he buys cheese.

Explanation: When people have a lot of money, they buy things that they don’t need.

 Sorry fi mawga dawg, mawga dawg tun roun’ bite yuh

Translation: Sorry for meager dog, meager dog turns around and bites you.

 Explanation: The people you help may very well be the ones to turn around and do you wrong.

Dawg no hol ef im ha bone

Translation: The dog does not howl if he has a bone.

Explanation: The dog is an animal which is very fond of bones, and is not likely to appear miserable if it has bones to gnaw on. Similarly, people do not become upset or agitated if they are comfortable.  It is also difficult for some persons to lobby against issues which do not directly concern them.

Ebry dawg hab him day, an ebry puss him 4 o’clock

Translation: Every dog has his day, and every cat has his 4 o’clock.

Explanation: We should not behave as if we are better than others, or allow our position in life to blind us to the fact that tremendous opportunities can be given to those persons whom we would least expect to reap these benefits. (“Your day will come.”)

When ashes cold dog sleep dere

Translation: When the ashes (fireside) are cold, even a dog can sleep there.

Explanation: Circumstances alter the manner in which we act.

Weh eva bone deh, dog deh deh
Translation: Wherever there are bones, there are dogs

Explanation: We tend to be wherever the things that we want or love are located.

Ebry dawg no him dinnatime.

Translation: Every dog knows his dinnertime.

Explanation: People habitually know when it is that opportunity arise and they present themselves in line to receive those opportunities.

If flea did ha moni, it wulda buy him owna dawg

Translation: If a flea had money, it would buy its own dog

Explanation: when people have money they tend to buy things that they want, things that make them happy.

Backa dawg a dawg befoe im a missa dawg

Translation: Behind the dog it is dog, in front of it, its mister dog.

Explanation: People will talk bad about you behind your back but in your presence they will not speak in that manner as a matter of fact they will speak more highly of you in front of you.

Puss and dog nuh have eh same luck

Translation: Puss and dog do not have the same luck.

Explanation: Everyone doesn’t have the same lucky, what one person do and may not get into any form of trouble, another person may do the exact thing and lands himself or herself into hot water.

If yuh lay wid dwag yuh ago rise wid flea

Translation: If you lie with dogs you will rise with fleas.

Explanation: An individual who spends time with bad company, one will suffer in some way (often by becoming like the said associates).