Sayings of Trinidadian origin

Trinidadian Proverbs

Everyone has his friend.

Fair words can buy a horse on credit.

New broom does sweep clean, but old broom knows all de corners.

Not all useful knowledge comes from books or formal learning.

Well to do people offer words of consolation only to the needy, but never any tangible assistance.

Carry your own burdens.

Chop in water leave no mark.

People never recognize their own faults.

Monkey knows what tree to climb.

All skin teeth eh laugh.

People with certain inabilities are not free to act.

Bush has ears.

The thing that makes you happy may also hurt you.

Conversation is the food of the ears.

The race is not for the swift, slow and steady wins.

Blood is thicker than water

Common sense make before book sense.

After joy is sorrow.

The drum makes a great fuss because it’s empty.

It’s only the shoes that know if the stockings have holes.

Behind back is ‘Dog’, before face is “Mr. Dog”.

The young and inexperienced don’t understand true troubles or hardships.

In an effort to solve one problem be wary of creating further problems.

Everyone finds their place in life.

Some things might just be beyond your power.

Bathe other people’s children, but don’t wash behind their ears.

Moon does run until daylight catch up with him.

Engaging in lengthy conversations is what usually brings about enmity.

Trinidad and Tobago, officially the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, is a twin island country situated off the northern edge of South America mainland, lying 11 Kilometres (6 mi) just off the coast of northeastern Venezuela and 130 Kilometres (81 mi) south of Grenada. Bordering the Caribbean to the north, it shares maritime boundaries with other nations including Barbados to the northeast, Grenada to the northwest, Guyana to the southeast, and Venezuela to the south and west. The country covers an area of 5,128 square kilometres (1,980 sq mi) and consists of two main islands, Trinidad and Tobago, with numerous smaller landforms. The two main islands are divided into nine regions, and one ward.

Port of Spain, is the capital city of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago and the country’s third-largest municipality, after Chaguanas and San Fernando.

English is the country’s official language, but the main spoken language is either of two English-based creole languages (Trinidadian Creole or Tobagonian Creole), which reflects the Amerindian, European, African, and Asian heritage of the nation.

“Forged from the Love of Liberty” is the national anthem of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago

Lyrics:
Forged from the love of liberty
In the fires of hope and prayer
With boundless faith in our destiny
We solemnly declare:
Side by side we stand
Islands of the blue Caribbean sea,
This our native land
We pledge our lives to thee.
Here every creed and race find an equal place,
And may God bless our nation
Here every creed and race find an equal place,
And may God bless our nation.