I have never forgotten the first time I heard a Bequian utter the words “Oh Me Mudder!”. I was teaching a class at the Bequia Anglican High School, and evidently something I said had struck my students as funny. I never DID discover what they found so hilarious, but whatever it WAS prompted young Catalina Lulley (island name “Stevey”) to exclaim, “Oh Me Mudder!”. Stevey’s loud “Oh Me Mudder” prompted another round of laughter, and although the hilarity was obviously at my expense I laughed too, because the strange expression and the way it had been uttered sounded so heartfelt! Once my students had settled down, I asked Stevey what “Oh Me Mudder” meant.
Stevey thought about it for a moment, then replied, “Me ain’t know Miss, me really ain’t know”.
Sigh. Stevey was one of my brightest students; if SHE didn’t know what “Oh Me Mudder” meant, I figured it was just one of many West Indian expressions I would get used to and understand at some point in time.
Over the years, I have heard “Oh Me Mudder” (or the shortened version “Me Mudder!”) used thousands of times in many different circumstances, and it’s one of my favourite Bequia expressions. For example:
Eating something outrageously delicious? Roll your eyes and moan, “Oh Me Mudder!” Everyone will know you’re enjoying the food, ‘nuff said.
Hear some juicy gossip? Slap your hand over your mouth and giggle “Ooooh Me Mudder!” Everyone within hearing will want to hear the latest.
Dive into the sea and the water’s too cold? Warn other beach-goers by shrieking “Me Mudder!” in a loud voice.
Trying to fix something and getting frustrated? Just mutter “Oh Me Mudder”, it probably won’t help but say it anyway!
“Oh Me Mudder” can be used in many situations, and I think it’s the perfect way of expressing oneself without the use of profanity. It’s a fun and simple way of showing emotion, and I myself use it a LOT.
Stevey Lulley wasn’t able to give an answer when asked to define the meaning of “Oh Me Mudder” because there isn’t one; a clear-cut definition isn’t possible for three words that can express so many emotions, and I stopped searching for one several decades ago. However, I have never forgotten Stevey’s husky voice shouting “Oh Me Mudder” in my classroom, and think of her fondly whenever I hear the words uttered. Rest In Peace Stevey.….
That was one of the few Stevie comments totally absent any profanities! What a kid!!!
You got THAT right! Thanks for the laugh….
Thanks for sharing a warm part of life in Bequia!
I am wondering if I haven’t met you inadvertently. There was a day I was on shift at the emergency room in the then Kingstown General Hospital and I stepped out. A white lady was sitting in the bench outside and all of a sudden she shouted out “ oh me mudda” I was immediately rooted in my place I asked her mis where did you get that from? She turned it me and said she was from Canada and was living in Bequia. I think she was waiting for one of her children who was brought to the emergency room.
Hahaha! Not me!