Lekker. If you mention that you are traveling to South Africa, people will tell you about lekker (which means “great” or “awesome”), but there are other fun phrases and words to learn in colloquial South African (Afrikaans is a separate language, but some of these words, like lekker, come from there). Here are some of the phrases I heard and asked about with South Africans. (Other than vocabulary, there were some funny signs. I’ve used some throughout this blog posting).
Lekker: is “great” or “super” and is used frequently.
Braai: a barbecue, as in an event, a thing, etc.
Boma: a campfire meal gathering. Come from British Officers Mess Area.
Lanie: translates to fancy or posh (posh is pronounced “poache” like gauche)
It is not a train smash: it’s not a big deal.
Pleasure: used like an affirmation as in “it was a pleasure” but they use the word by itself.
Shame: can be used both as negative and positive. Like “oh really?”
Hectic: means bad.
Hish: also means it’s bad.
Now now: means it’s not happening now. In a while but not as soon as “just now.”
Just now: means that it will get done but not right now.
Yobo: an enthusiastic yes.
Robot: traffic light.
It’s a monkeys wedding: when the sun is out and it’s raining.
It’s such jol: it was a great time.
Howzit: how is it.
Biscuit: roundabout or traffic circle.
Cap/MCC: sparkling wine (cap classic).
Pudo: a post office box or receiving box like an Amazon box.li
Lip ice: lip balm.
This post is not about the best of Trini speak. I haven’t heard enough yet to know what the best phrases might be. What I do know is that I don’t understand the English here in Port of Spain. I’d say that my comprehension is on par with my Spanish comprehension… well, they might be neck in neck. (I almost felt relief when talking to a guy in Spanish! If three sentences counts as talking.)
The Trinis tell me that it’s because they speak fast. No, they don’t. They use different vocabulary, different grammar, different spelling, and they have a different cadence. In other words, a different language. They remove “then” and other prepositions (is that what they are called?). Or how about “the best food in tongue” which must mean “best tasting” or not?
Other than terminology like 
And then there’s the spelling. See that “best” is now a woman’s name, “bess.” And “ah” for “of” as can be seen in the soup sign.