15 fun Bahamas words and phrases
Last updated on February 10th, 2026.
I'm one of those people who enjoys picking up a few local phrases when traveling.
And, my trip to the Bahamas was no exception. After speaking with a few locals, I learned some of the most popular Bahamas words and phrases, and had a fun time doing so.
While my mistakes outweighed the phrases I got right, the locals didn’t seem to mind. Bahamians are very friendly by nature, and just trying put a smile on their faces. The Bahamian slang and dialect isn't an easy one to master, so don't be too hard on yourself.
But, trying to converse in their language was probably the best icebreaker to connecting with them.
Language breaks barriers
Attempting to speak in the local dialect can also put a smile on the longest of faces.
In Italy, it always surprises me how many people’s face light up when I speak the local Italian dialect. Sure, my grammar sometimes needs work but they appreciate the effort.
When I wrote about 5 Sicilian words and phrases, I didn’t realize how well it'd be received. It turns out that many people were as keen as I was to learn about the language.
Since then, I’ve also learned, and written about, several words and phrases of the Veneto language.
For my third post in the linguist series, we’re moving away from all things Latin and going Caribbean.
Heritage of the Bahamian dialect
During my stay on Long Island in the Bahamas, I came across a language with a sound unlike any other. I could recognize it was English, but this version had a different twist.
What do Bahamians speak?
In the Bahamas, the people speak two forms of the English language: Bahamian Standard English and Bahamian Dialect. It's a far cry when traveling around Italy, where English is barely spoken.
Educated Bahamians speak the former, which is similar to the English they speak in the UK and the US. The latter's a descendant of the language, drawing on its roots from African and European heritage.
A local form of English — how do Bahamians speak?
Bahamian dialect comprises of English, as well as their own vocabulary and sentence forms.
No matter your upbringing, it’s the language that most Bahamians use every day. It’s the language of the marketplace and is one that every Bahamian understands.
Bahamian rules of language
Bahamians like to end questions with ‘ey’ or ‘hey’. For example, ‘she likes that boy, eh?’ is a question seeking information. They add ‘hey’ to the end of a question when seeking agreement.
In Bahamian dialect, some sentences that are usually passive in standard English become active. For instance, rather than ‘is it good to eat?’, they would say ‘that could eat?’
Double up
Go double with your use of adjectives. This is one fun characteristic of the language that’s common of the Bahamian dialect.
Instead of using ‘very’ or ‘extremely’, they will repeat the adjective twice. ‘She is pretty-pretty’ or ‘it’s cheap-cheap’ are two examples.
Nassau and beyond
The rules of language stretch across the entire island nation, even in its capital, Nassau. A destination that offers more than just a cruise stop, Nassau is an ideal starting point to learn about the Bahamas.
Take its range of tours. You can learn more about Nassau's food scene and cultural attractions and with your own knowledgeable guide. If exploring other islands is on your Bahamas itinerary, a tour to Rose Island may be just what you're looking for.
Once booked, you can have some fun trying out these Bahamas words and phrases with the locals. However, be warned: use these words within the right context, and with someone you feel comfortable with.
A random market stall owner may not be the right person with whom to practice with….
15 fun Bahamas words and phrases
Some popular Bahamas sayings
Big-up
This is basically a way of saying a woman’s pregnant. When you hear someone say a friend/relative is ‘big-up’, it’s time to start thinking of baby gift ideas.
Boom-boom
A phrase that can relate to many things, in Bahamian dialect, it relates to the derriere. There are many words that relate to this part of the human anatomy, speaking of which….
Boonggy
This is probably one of the most popular Bahamian words, and yes, it again refers to the lower anatomical region. The bigger the boonggy, the better the compliment.
So, if you hear ‘peas n rice boonggy’, chances are there’s a generously sized one close by. It’s usually used in a lighthearted context, but if you hear ‘sit your boonggy down’ it may be less so.
Cuckoo soup
For anyone envisaging a soup with a cuckoo floating on top, you’re far off.
This lighthearted Bahamian saying is basically a love potion to ‘tame’ men of a marrying age. If you can lure the guy in with your soup, and he eats it, there could be a wedding on the cards.
However, long after, and if arguments arise, the husband may just say to his new wife ‘you musse cuckoo me!’
It's one of my favorite, and most unique, Bahamas words and phrases.
Kerpunkle up
This fun-loving phrase has the same meaning as the Spanish’ ‘borracho’, the Italians’, ‘ubriaco’ and the English’ ‘drunk’.
Get too carried away with the alcoholic beverages, and you too could be ‘kerpunkle up’.
More Bahamian slang
Nanny
For most Bahamians, ‘nanny’ doesn’t refer to the person who looks after your children. In fact, some use the word to refer to human and animal waste. Saying that, be careful how you use this one.
Ogly
Similar in spelling to the standard English version, something, or someone ‘ogly’ is unpleasant to look at. If you hear something/someone is ‘ogly as sin’, it’s 10 times worse.
Skylarking
This is a favorite used among parents, especially mothers of energetic young boys. To tell someone to ‘stop skylackin around’ is a warning to behave before someone gets hurt.
Show sef
No-one likes a show-off, and especially not in the Bahamas. ‘You like to show sef, eh!’ refers to someone who likes to flaunt themselves in front of others.
It can also refer to someone who’s bold in nature.
Spilligate
Get dressed in your best outfit and hit the town to ‘go spilligating’. To spilligate is all about having a good time and spending your money without thinking.
Bahamas map
More Bahamian words and phrases
Stench
While you think you may understand the meaning of stench, it’s what we’d call a ‘false friend.’ ‘To stench’ in Bahamian dialect refers to someone being stubborn and not budging on their opinions.
Stiff-toe gang
Although the actual meaning is far from funny, this phrase highlights the Bahamian sense of humor. If someone’s joined the ‘stiff-toe gang’, membership is forever, because it means that somebody has passed.
Terreckly
If you incorporate this word into your Bahamas vocabulary, you’ll be well on your way to speaking like a local.
Coming from the word ‘directly’ ‘I’ll be there terreckly’ can mean the former, or similarly, soon.
T’ing
I love this word, as it brings me back to the Bahamas straight away whenever I hear it.
In case you can’t see it, the word derives from ‘thing.’ You can use ‘t’ing’ or ‘tingum’ to replace nouns, or even people.
‘She get new dress an’ t’ing’, and ‘bring me the tingum from the bedroom’ are just 2 examples.
Tote news
If someone says you like to ‘tote news’, it’s best to get your 'boonggy' moving. In short, they’re accusing you of being a gossip, so if you’ve been talking around town, they’ll know it.
Where to stay in the Bahamas
There are tons of great accommodation options, and islands, to stay in the Bahamas. We chose to stay at the 4-star Cape Santa Maria Beach Resort on Long Island, mainly for its remote location.
Luxury island resorts
However, you may also want to consider the French Leave Resort on Eleuthera. It has grand elegant rooms, sea views, superb dining and is surrounded by tranquility.
For those seeking a luxury experience, you can do no wrong with Kamalame Cay.
It takes a little effort to reach, but this private island off the central coast of Andros Island is worth the trip. It has its own overwater spa, tennis court, marina and beachfront villas.
Helpful Bahamas resources
The official website of the Bahamas Tourism Board: a helpful resource for researching everything aspect of visiting the country.
Bahamas Travel Health Site: useful for travelers wanting advice on current health regulations and protocols.
What did you think of this list of Bahamas words and phrases? Is there anything that stands out, or you find particularly fun? Let me know in the comments below.
Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links, which means I may receive a commission if you click a link and purchase something that I’ve recommended. Thank you for your support.
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It's interesting to learn about foreign languages, and the Bahamas have some unique ones. I though Boom-Boom would be a car. lol. I just hope people won't say ogly as sin to me. Haha..
They do! I'm sure that no one will say that to you! 😀
how do you say Delicious in the Bahamas
Hi Michael, I don't know the slang word, but I will try to find out 😀
That food carrying on.
‘Switcha’ is the Bahamian word for ‘lemonade’. In The Bahamas, it is commonly made with limes instead of lemons and sugar.
Thank you for your suggestion, I never knew that!
Hi Lisa, thanks for the interesting article. Going on vacation, read about food, culture, currency of the Bahamas. And here came your article about the language, words and sayings. I will use it!)
Thanks Tori! So happy you stopped by. Have an awesome time in the Bahamas 😀
i like it i am doing a brochure for denton magnet so i need it!
You're welcome! Glad you enjoyed it 🙂
I love this linguist series that you've started. It's super informational and hilarious how words are interpreted differently around the world. I laughed really hard when I reach stench, because that's so me, and cuckoo soup.
Aw thank you!! I'm definitely a linguist at heart, and enjoy sharing with others common words and phrases! Stench is a funny one!
Although this article is not far off people must remember that most island differ, infact Nassau differs the most from the rest. Not all these sayings are in fact not correc
t. But in all a good article and gives a rough idea to the readers of what to expect... Alot more phrases have been missed off this list that are extremely common too, like Bui, mash or even wybe.
Thanks Megan for the feedback! I remember locals telling me the same thing on Long Island 🙂
This is such an interesting and helpful post. Language learned is half the battle won. Some of these words and their menaing really got me laughing. I guess I am all prepared for my trip to Bahamas whenever it happens. The word booongy sounds cute.
Happy to hear it! Boonggy is a real favourite there, and always brought a smile to my face 😀
This is very useful for someone visiting the Bahamas! I've heard of some of these as people i know from surrounding countries use them as well and the "eh" is very Canadian! This was a great post and I very much liked your Italian post too.
Thank you so much! I love sharing the words and phrases I learn along the way...look out for another one!
I went to the Bahamas on a cruise last year so this is a really interesting read as I didn’t know what some of their phrases were. I love the sound of Boonggy, I reckon I’d be told I have a peas and rice Boonggy. This is a great read for anyone off to the Bahamas
Ha, well if you do have a peas and rice boonggy, you'll be inundated with compliments! 😉
This is so fun to read. I bet they are hard to pronounce though. I struggle prouncing languages I am not used to.
Glad you enjoyed it! It's not an easy language, but it is fun 😉
These are so adorable! And I bet they are so fun to say! I always like your posts about languages, I think they really help you to immerse in the local culture. It's practical to stick to English while you travel, but I really like to learn some words and phrases to make the extra effort when I'm abroad.d
Thanks Dann! I love learning languages, and if I can pick up more in a new country, I'll do it 😀
I need to say those words sound quite funny. It would be a lovely experience to talk with them. Hope to have a chance to visit Bahamas one day
I hope so too! Get practicing, you just never know...
Haha, ending questions with ‘ey’ makes it sounds like Canadians 😛 Those are some fun phrases to know about before visiting the Bahamas. It is great to know that 'nanny' means a completely different thing in Bahamian.
That's really true! I remember hearing that in Canada, and actually Australia too. Yes, nanny is used differently out there!
Such a thoughtful post on the words and terms used there. 🙂 I find no similarity with the languages used here in India. The difference between 'eh' and 'hey' is useful. One has to concentrate on what is said completely. Bahamas is so distant, hope to get there some day.
I hope you get there too! It's a fun language, and it's interesting to see you compare it to your own language too.
Ha ha. These are really funny. I always like to learn the local dialect whenever I visit someplace. It is always a fun learning. You really did a great job learning the language.
Thank you! Yes, they're funny, and memorable too I think. Glad you enjoyed reading them.
I often use aye, ey but actually didn't know the meaning behind, I just knew that it's a common last word/ expression by English speakers. Good to know here tho! lol I like the Cuckoo soup particularly! It sounds cute! - you musse cuckoo me!’ How hilarious is that! Interesting post indeed, Lisa! Bahamas and the words and phrases are such a wonder!
Thank you! Cuckoo soup is hilarious; I had to get my head around what it actually meant!
The water looks just amazing! I would love to one day make it to the Bahamas and spend a week or two just soaking in the beauty!
It's a beautiful country for sure!
I love this post. I love learning more about the language and how it's used. It's pretty cool. I did notice the double use of the adjective but I didn't think about how it worked really other than occasionally hearing it.
Thanks so much! I had a fun time writing it, and interesting that you've come across the double adjective before too 🙂
What a great idea! Even when we all speak the same language, there is a lot of local flavor. I also loved the photos of the beaches - that water is so blue! I think I’ve saved your swimming with the pigs post too!
Aww thank you! I think it brings us closer when we all learn a few words in another destination 🙂
Great I got to know few Bahamian words today. Thanks for sharing this with us.
Glad you enjoyed it.
It’s always handy to learn a few words or sentences when you travelling abroad. It surely helps and makes it easier to ask locals anything and they reply in a much more pleasant manner. Some of the Bahamian words surely sound a bit Interesting like nanny for human or animal waste. Some ore more similar like oogly. Can easily say this post is Tote news. Thanks for sharing this post. Will be handy if anyone travelling to the Bahamas.
Thank you Amar! I'm so glad you enjoyed it, and have clearly gotten the hang of their lingo 🙂
Bahamas is such a nice place to visit and I think I need to learn these phrases and a bit of their language so that I will able communicate and understand them.
I hope you get to try some out! It's a fun language to learn.
It really an interesting post. Thanks for letting me know about these phrases Bahamas uses 🙂
Thank you! I appreciate the feedback.
Those are all very interesting! And definitely ones I am not familiar with. These are funny, and fun to learn about, especially since you are so familiar with the terms. I have only been to the Bahamas once, briefly. It would be neat to hear these used.
Maybe you can try some out, or even hear them, the next time you're back 🙂
I love to learn about other places. This was super cool to read, thanks!
You're welcome!
It is always a great idea to pick up a few words in the native language wherever you travel to. And Bahamas is so beautiful. Your post made me miss the beaches- the blue water and the sand!
The beach and sea is incredible there; hope you get to visit for yourself one day.
Haha! I really loved reading these Bahamas words and phrases. They are 'funny funny', hey! Enjoyed reading the post. Actually learning the language of the land is also a great way to know the place and people. I am glad that you do so!
Looks like you got the hang of it! Happy to read that you enjoyed it 😀
thank you for sharing these phrases, it is always good to keep it in mind when travelling there
Absolutely! Thanks for dropping by 🙂
I love posts like this as I love learning about the quirky words used in a given place, these are the things that make language rich. My fave is Kerpunkle up!
Happy you enjoyed it! Kerpunkle up is a fun one!
I love this! Even a few words in the local language makes such a difference to how you are perceived and makes people much more open to talking to you. Bahamian sounds a bit like Kriol I heard in Belize. I think Boonggy is my favourite new word!
Ha ha, excellent! It's so much fun to listen to, that I had to write about it 😀
What a fun post! I have always wanted to go the Bahamas but now even more so because of the fun language I really want to go! Your photos are all so beautiful. Bahamas is on my bucket-list so now when I think of booking my trip I am going to remember this fun post!
Perfect! So happy to read it 🙂 It's a lovely place to visit, and the language is just the icing on the cake!
Oh this had me in hysterics. The Caribbean area certainly does has a interesting use of language
It's very different! Thanks for reading it 🙂
Wow I am so impressed that you picked up so many words! You have a real talent with languages it seems. I think it can really add another dimension when you are traveling to try and speak the native language. My Spanish is pretty bad but I am working on it. When I visited Italy last year, I tried to always order food, etc using Italian words first and then Spanish second because I wanted to try and not rely on English.
Well done Chantell! We spend a lot of time in Italy, so I'm improving mainly because I have to speak there! Keep up the lessons; it will come in handy for sure x
Oh my gosh. What a fun series! There are so many of these that made me giggle! T'ing is one I've always heard and here I thought it was just a way they pronounced the 'th' sound! I feel like on my first trip to the Bahamas I'll have a leg-up on understanding the people, therefore the culture! 🙂
Excellent! I'm glad you learned something from reading this. Just be careful how you use boonggy! 😛
Classic! I could just imagine these words being said. I love Boonggy -that's hilarious! What a great name. Such a fun post - but helpful too as often local slang or dialects can be so confusing for foreigners until they learn what it all means! I laughed out loud at the stiff-toe gang! Dark humour!
I know, me too! It's definitely not a laughing matter, but what a way to describe a person's passing!
Kerpunkle up is hands down my favorite word on this list. However, the topic itself is so original. You did a great job writing an educational post and presenting it in a fun way. I want to say these words all the time now.
Thank you so much! I loved writing it; and hope to inspire others to pick up a few words too when travelling.
Bahamas is so high in my bucket list .. m so glad I came across ur blog .. ur pics are beautiful .. I too always try to learn some local words to destination m travelling to .. easy to make friends .. what’s the best season to travel there ?
We went in May, and I'd say it's a good time. June is the start of hurricane season, so there's warnings everywhere. May was quiet, no schoolchildren around and pure bliss!
What a fun post. I learned the word T'ing when we were in the Bahamas but didn't realize there were so many others I should have known too.
Thank you! I had a lot of fun writing it 🙂
oh wow this is really fascinating. How fun are some of these words. I never really realised that there was another dialect in the Bahamas but I wish I had had the opportunity to use some of these fun words.
It's a lot of fun, and actually as good-natured as the people too 🙂
Some really useful words here for people travelling to Bahamas. Have bookmarked this one.
Thank you so much!
This post is so much fun-fun!! I love learning the local dialect of a place and the Caribbean patois is so unique. It definitely helps you understand the local culture better when you learn the slang. I gotta get my boongy to the Bahamas! 😉
You're definitely an expert at this! It's a fun language and suits the fun-loving people in the Bahamas 😀
Ahh love this! I literally found myself chuckling as I read a few of them. Love boom-boom... something about a bum being called a boom boom is just so fitting!
Thank you! They have a few terms for the derriere in the Bahamas, it's very fun!
Ha ha. This post cracked me up. Nice to know these words - now I am prepared for when they say Boongy. From the way these words are used, it is obvious that they are very light hearted and free-spirited people. Definitely fun company around. Thanks for sharing this
So happy you enjoyed it! I had a lot of fun listening and learning to the words there!
Your photos are really nice. Good to have a personal vocabulary just for the vacation in this amazing place!
Thank you so much! It's a fun language 🙂
The beach reminds me a little bit of Diani Beach in Kenya. Did you swim with pigs there ? 🙂
No, we didn't, as that beach is quite far!
I always find these patois or creole (criollo)-language variations very interesting - also the mix of words stemming from former conquistas. Funny - this double adjective is common in Jamaican patois - and a double noun in bahasa Indonesia resp. Malay is used for plural. Development of languages is just fascinating.
It really is! I'm not familiar with the Jamaican patois or Malay, but will research it. Thank you!
So nice! I like this list of phrases. my fav is big-up maybe because I have been pregnant twice and I can relate to this! The meaning of nanny, which is one of my used words, here is truly dangerous! Thanks for the tips!
It really is, it means something completely different! Nice you can relate to big up 😀
Wow!! this is so funny. I didn't know that they had their own words. So cool. I would love to go someday soon.
Glad you enjoyed it! It's a beautiful place to visit.
OMG I totally enjoyed reading this post! My college roommate is Bahamaian and so is my best friend of over a decade. I love their colorful colloquialisms and thoroughly enjoy hearing them saying it in their accent lol This was a great roundup of words and phrases!
Thank you so much! I had such a fun time speaking to the people I met when I was there. I hope my translations are right!
LOL oh man the Nanny one I bet that can be misused a lot. And I have a stench in my life right now LOL thanks for the fun post.
Haha, you're well on your way to becoming a pro! Glad you enjoyed it 😀
I love these tips regarding the phrases. It's very important for me to understand the local and try to get in contact with them in traditional way.
So glad you enjoyed it! Language is very important for me to know too 🙂
What a cool post and a fun language! It's so true, even if you say it completely wrong locals seem to truly appreciate (or brings them a laugh) that you at least attempt their language.
I've never received a bad look for trying! Language is so important, and really brings you closer to the locals too.
Oh I love learning new languages especially the ones where I’m travelling to. Interesting set of phrases I must say, hahah. Although it does sound very much like English, the meanings of some are very different, probably the way the pronounce too.
I kept pronouncing it wrong! They say it so fast, and broken, it's not easy when you first start. But it's very fun once you get the hang of it!
Haha some of these words are so cute! For example, boonggy 😀 I think I've heard the phrase 'big-up' elsewhere as well, though I am not sure where. Cuckoo soup is yet another funny and cute thing haha. Like you said, the language is very close to English is many ways, with some words twisted here and there so its easier to learn like any other. And the words are just cute and funny, so why not!
Cuckoo soup is hilarious! When they explained to me what it meant, I knew I had to write an article about it, and their other unique phrases! Boonggy is a classic for sure 😀
I loved those funny Bahamian phrases. Also, you observed this place so closely and had picked those funny words. I must say, you are a keen observer. I love the use of two adjectives big-big instead of very big and sometimes, I too use it. Thanks for sharing!
That's so interesting; so you're a half expert then! I'm glad you enjoyed reading it, I had fun writing it!
This is such a fun post. Enjoyed reading it. These phrases are really interesting. Love how the word nanny has such a different meaning. Hope it doesn't create any confusion.
I hope so too! It's a fun language and interesting how they came up with their own words and sentence forms.
I totally love learning some key words before traveling somewhere. I think for the locals, they do appreciate the effort taken to try and learn their language. Good to know that questions tend to end with ‘ey’ or ‘hey’. And loving the word boom-boom! Skylarking is such an interesting word to use to let kids know to stay behaved. Haha and Kerpunkle up is so funny! I think many party going travelers could learn this word.
Yes! It's a phrase that will really come in handy! I'm so glad you enjoyed reading this; it's always fun to write a language-based post.
It was so much fun reading you, your article is great! It's useful to know local words, it can avoid misunderstanding 🙂
Thank you! I had a lot of fun reading it, and it was a pleasure to write 😀
Love all the phrases! Especially the ones referring to the booty! Haha thanks for taking the time to share this, I’m planning on taking a ride out to the Bahamas since I live in south Florida and this would come in so handy. I agree with trying to speak the native language. I mean I’ll proably be way off but it’s nice to show you care!
Aww so glad you enjoyed it! I loved trying to understand all the words and phrases, so I hope a few of them come in useful on your trip. Enjoy! x
Ah these are great! It's really interesting to learn them. Maybe I'll try them out the next time I'm in a Caribbean restaurant!
By the way, I was born in England, but my family are from Sicily (Palermo). I'm going straight over to check out your post about the Sicilian dialect too 😉
Excellent! I live in London but spend a lot of time in Italy! Hope you enjoy the Sicilian post 😀
Ha ha! I love these phrases. Always handy to know the local lingo. Not all things are in travel guides or translation tools so this is really helpful. Thank you
You're welcome! So glad you enjoyed it, it's a fun language 😀