[7] I believe there is an omission in Thomas’ version, and that the Creole ought to read: “Baggaie qui fair mal ziex fair mal nez.” Baggaie has a hundred meanings: “thing,” “affair,” “business,” “nonsense,” “stuff,” etc.
14. Bagasse boucoup, flangourin piti morceau. (Beaucoup de bagasse, peu de jus.)
“Much bagasse and little juice.” (The bagasse is the refuse of the cane, after the sap has been extracted.)—[Mauritius.]
15. Baignèn iches moune; main pas lavez dêïer zoreîes yeaux. (Baignez les enfants des autres [lit: du monde]; mais ne les lavez pas derrière les oreilles.)
“Bathe other people’s children; but don’t wash behind their ears.”—That is to say: Do not be servile in obsequiousness to others.—[Trinidad.]
16. Balié nef, balié prope. (Un balai neuf, un balai propre.)
“A new broom’s a clean broom.”—This is a Creolization of our household phrase: “A new broom sweeps clean.”—[Mauritius.]
17. Bardeaux[8] couvert tout. (Les bardeaux couvrent tout.)
“Shingles cover everything.”—Family roofs often cover a multitude of sins. [Mauritius.]