Bahamian Sayings & Local Habits Every Visitor Should Know

Has a Bahamian ever asked you “You straight?” and you weren’t sure how to answer? Don’t worry, Cousin. We really have our own language, and a lot of our phrases make no sense in plain English. But once you catch on, you’ll feel like a local in no time.

So here are the Bahamian sayings you’ll hear most, what they mean, and the local habits that will help you fit right in.

Maradona and a friend at a Bahamian festival in Nassau, where you'll hear plenty of Bahamian sayings

Bahamian Sayings You’ll Hear on the Island

Everyday Greetings and Sayings

“What you saying?” A friendly greeting, like “How are you?” or “What’s up?” We don’t literally mean “What are you saying?”
“Right here” I’m good. It’s how many of us answer “How you doing?” It means we’re alive and well, not that we’re standing in front of you.
“You straight?” Do you need anything? You’ll hear it from servers, at government offices or from a friend checking if you need a ride or some money. It’s not about your love life!
“Hold your head” Be strong. Don’t lose focus and don’t trip out. We don’t mean physically hold your head!
“Come from round me” Go away from me. Why we say “come”? I don’t know. Still, we know what it means.
“Come here, let me fix you” A loving way to tell someone they look a bit messy and need a quick touch-up.
“Falling off” You’ve dropped your standard. If you used to make the best guava duff and now it’s not hitting, you fall off.
“Stop liking man” Stop doing the most. In fact, it has nothing to do with liking a gentleman.

Maradona and a friend hugging at a night event in Nassau, Bahamas

Bahamian Sayings About Love, Gossip and Drama

“Big up” Pregnant. If somebody says you big up, they mean you’re expecting.
“Cutting up” Flirting. In other words, nobody’s cutting anything. We’re just flirting.
“You ain’t easy” You’re too much, or you’re difficult. It can be a tease, a compliment or a playful complaint.
“Roach on ya bread” Someone beat you to them. It’s mostly used when the person you had your eye on ends up with someone else.
“You can’t hold water” You can’t keep a secret.
“Dog eat ya lunch” You’re done. Count yourself out, it’s too late.

Fun fact: many Bahamians switch accents depending on who we’re talking to. For example, we sound one way at home in Nassau and another way when we travel. So don’t be surprised if your tour guide sounds different from your taxi driver!

Local Habits Every Visitor Should Know

Always say good morning. Greet people when you walk into a shop, get on the bus or start a conversation. Otherwise, skipping it can come across as rude.
Expect island time. Things move a little slower here. So relax and build some extra time into your plans.
Ride the jitney like a local. The jitney is our local bus. Call out “Bus stop!” when you want to get off, and pay the driver as you leave.
Drive on the left. We drive on the left side of the road, so look right first when you cross.
Check your bill for gratuity. Many restaurants add a tip automatically. That’s why you should check before you tip again.
Dress up for church. Sunday is a big church day, and as a result, Bahamians dress to impress.
Celebrate Junkanoo. If you’re here on Boxing Day or New Year’s Day, don’t miss our biggest street parade.

Maradona and friends with drinks in a pool in Nassau, Bahamas

Bahamian Food Words to Know

Switcha: Our homemade limeade, sweet and refreshing.
Johnny cake: A slightly sweet bread, perfect with boil fish.
Boil fish: A Bahamian breakfast of fish cooked with lime, onions and potatoes, served with grits.
Conch salad: Fresh raw conch “cooked” in lime juice with peppers, onion and tomato.
Potcake: Not food! It’s what we call our local island dogs.

Want to try these words out in person? Head to Arawak Cay (the Fish Fry) in Nassau, order a conch salad and a switcha, and greet the vendor with “What you saying?” After that, trust me, you’ll make a friend.