wha gwan - Wiktionary, the free dictionary (2024)

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Wha gwan - Wiktionary, the free dictionary? ›

Borrowed from Jamaican Creole

Wagwan is a way to say "What's going on?" It originated from Jamaican English, which was used throughout the Jamaican diaspora, especially in South London. In Toronto, Canada, it is most commonly referred to as Toronto slang.

Jamaican English renders the greeting What's going on? as Wat a gwaan? Wat a gwaan has sometimes been further reduced to wah gwan or wagwan in the Jamaican diaspora, especially in London.

"Wagwan" is a slang term that is commonly used in the United Kingdom, especially among young people. It is a shortened version of the phrase "what's going on," and it is often used as a greeting or to ask someone what's happening or what's new.

in Jamaica) a member of a group of lower- or working-class teenagers in the 1960s, noted for listening to ska music and for juvenile delinquency: they inspired the later rude-boy fashion in Britain. Also called: rudie, rudy, rudi.

“Bless up” is the Jamaican way of saying “Have a nice day”, and the phrase is sometimes used as a greeting or goodbye. “Bless up” carries with it some good Jamaican vibes, and you can use it in conversations to wish someone well.

In later use frequently in what's gwan and variants: 'what's going on', 'what's happening'; cf. what's going on?

Wah gwaan mhy yute, everthing gud? - What's going on my friend, how's everything?

Bloodclaat is not a British term. It is a Patois term from Jamaica. Bloodclaat literally means blood cloth, as in a feminine hygiene product, a woman's sanitary napkin, or a tampon. In Jamaica menstruation is considered “unclean.”

A prime example is 'ah wha gwan' which means essentially 'what's going on' and is therefore commonly used as a greeting between Jamaicans, but depending on the circ*mstances, it goes much further.

What does wogwon mean? ›

Where did wagwan originate from? The phrase wagwan comes from the phrase 'what's going on' in Jamaican Patois. The expression began popping up in grime music in the early 2000s. It is also found in alot of reggae and hip-hop lyrics.

Wah gwaan -English Translation - What's going on or what's up - Definition Pronounced as “waa gwaan”, the literal trans…

So, it is a good idea to learn phrases for the most basic exchanges – thank you (tank yuh), goodbye (lata or lickkle more), and so on. As one travel expert said, “Learning a few Jamaican sayings will help you interact with local people and have more positive experiences as you travel…