175. Li allé l’ecole cabritt, li ritouné mouton. (Il est allé à l’école [comme un] cabri; il est revenu mouton.)
“He went to school a kid, and came back a sheep.”[67]—[Martinique.]
[67] The allusion to the overgrown and shy schoolboy, who has lost the mischievous playfulness of his childhood, is easily recognizable. Creole planters of the Antilles generally sent their sons to Europe to be educated.
176. Li fine vendé so coçon. (Il a vendu son cochon.)
“He has sold his pig.”[68]—[Mauritius.]
[68] Said of one who unexpectedly disburses a considerable sum, or who spends more money than his visible resources admit of.
177. Li laçasse zozos pariaca. (Il chasse aux oiseaux à paliaca.)
“He’s hunting paliaca-birds.”[69]—[Mauritius.]
[69] Paliaca is the Mauritian term for the brightly-colored kerchief there worn by all young negresses in lieu of hats or bonnets, like the old time Louisiana tiyon. “He is hunting for paliaca-birds” therefore means, “He is running after the colored girls.”