General
a lie
What does a lie mean?
'A lie!' or 'a lie yuh a tell!' is an exclamation of disbelief, not an accusation — like 'no way!'.
"— Mi win di lotto. — A lie!"
Origin
Jamaican Patois expressive usage of 'a lie'.
Frequently asked questions
What does 'a lie' mean in Jamaican Patois?
It is an exclamation of disbelief, like 'no way!' or 'you're kidding!' — not an accusation that someone is lying.
Is 'a lie' calling someone a liar?
No — despite the words, it expresses amazement or surprise at news, similar to saying 'get out of here!' in English.
How do you respond with 'a lie'?
You say it in reaction to surprising news, e.g. someone says 'Mi win di lotto' and you reply 'A lie!'
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