fenneh

fenneh

Jamaican Creole

Alternative forms

• fennay, fennea, fene

Etymology

From Akan fè (“to vomit”) and Akan nè (“to cack”).[1]

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ˌfɛˈnɛ/
• Hyphenation: fe‧nneh

Verb

fenneh

1. to become sick; to feel faint; to be in distress; to be in pain
   • 2002, Frederic G. Cassidy, ‎Robert Brock Le Page, Dictionary of Jamaican English (in English), →ISBN, page 175:

     “To feel direct physical illness and show its effects: to vomit, to faint. […] ”

   'Tap ramp wid di dawg. If 'im bite yuh, yuh fenneh!

   Stop teasing the dog. If he bites you, you'll be sorry!

   (literally, “you'll be in a lot of pain”)

   Di gyal pretty yuh fenneh.

   She's incredibly beautiful.

   (literally, “The girl is so pretty, you'd faint.”)

Usage notes

Often used as a conditional statement: "If ..., ... fenneh."

References

1. 2002, Frederic G. Cassidy, ‎Robert Brock Le Page, Dictionary of Jamaican English (in English), →ISBN, page 175:

   “fene /féne/ vb dial; cf Twi fè, to vomit, nè, to cack, m-fènáŋ, bile thrown up from the stomach; Fante fenā, to be troubled […] ”