Street
pickney
What does pickney mean?
A child; can refer to one's own children or kids in general. Also spelled pikny.
"Di pickney dem a play inna di yard."
Origin
Caribbean Creole, derived from Portuguese 'pequenino' (little one), the same root as 'pickaninny'. The Patois 'pickney' itself is neutral, unlike the offensive English derivative.
Frequently asked questions
What does 'pickney' mean?
It's Jamaican Patois for a child or kid.
Is 'pickney' offensive?
In Caribbean Patois it's a neutral everyday word for child, though it shares a root with the separate offensive English term 'pickaninny'.
Where does 'pickney' come from?
It comes from Portuguese 'pequenino', meaning 'little one', carried into Caribbean Creole.
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