Bermemes Launch Online Bermudian Dictionary

December 10, 2015

Bermemes, known for their satirical work on Bermudian culture and local events, have recently launched a new product, with the team unveiling an online “Bermudian dictionary.”

When asked about the concept, Dejon Simmons from Bermemes said, “Originally, we created small comics featuring a ‘Vurd of de Veek’ but with a small team plus other projects on hand, the comics became less consistent, less effective and time-costing.

“The idea itself was always there, but it was more of one of those moments where you literally want to facepalm yourself.”

Screenshot from the website:

screencapture-bermemes-com-vurds-words (1)

“The dictionary was based from an older version of Bermudian verds dictionary written by Peter Smith & Fred Barritt [known from the Not the Um-Um Players group] which was somewhat hidden on the internet due to lack of SEO [search engine optimization].

“The older version had a lot of older Bermudian terminology which I’m grateful for and learned a lot from, but it also looked like from the 80s or early 90s, so it was kind of long overdue for an update.”

Using Bermemes’ satirical style, the ‘dictionary’ includes over 500 words so far, and Mr. Simmons says that they are still updating, tweaking as they go, and encouraging others to give the feedback; good or bad.

He added that although the project is still in the early stages, there are people already sending in their submissions or “vurd.”

Asked what he likes most about the project, Mr Simmons told Bernews, “It’s all a learning experience, an ‘each one, teach one’ vibe, but the real beauty of the hub is that it integrates with the website so no matter whether you’re local, young or old, or even a tourist you can learn the translations as you read on the website.

“Bermemes would also like to deeply remind everyone that this is an ongoing collaborative piece of work and the more feedback they receive the better it’ll ultimately be.”

The online ‘Bermudian dictionary’ can be found here.

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Comments (17)

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  1. Iduneenkno says:

    Ay bah, saw dis gurt ding towin dis bie rahn d corna. D ding is right ahneenkno if d bike was legal.

  2. JohnBoy says:

    “Act up” isn’t necessarily Bermudian as I’ve heard others use that before.

  3. aceboy says:

    I still remember the original book the Not the Um Um guys put out. On the back there were credits. The one that still cracks me up to this day was a quote purportedly provided by a Eugene “Dumas” Fox. LOL

    All great stuff. Glad the Bermemes guys picked up the ball.

    • Ms Brows Boyz says:

      I think it was called Bermujan Vurds or something like that.

  4. They Call me Payback says:

    aye bah! the definition for “beach” had me rolling “a local waterhole on front street” AKA A spot for animals to gather and drink, Genius!!!

  5. Triangle Drifter says:

    A good read & a smile. Everywhere has their jargon. Try going to the hills of western NC, VA & eastern TN. You might think you have landed on another planet trying to understand some of these people. Even worse, try the lower Delmarva Penninsular. Where is that you ask? It is that bit of land that forms the eastern side of the Cheasapeke Bay. They have something going there that is a mix of southern & very old English.

    The scary thing in Bermuda is, so many speak & spell the way they do. It is no wonder that they cannot get a job.

    • Richard says:

      Why stop there. You need a translator to get through a day in Manchester or Liverpool.

  6. Some Beach says:

    Nice…and I must saaaaay….a much needed device…as we really aren’t endowed with our own written language,and what we do have isn’t really taught in schools…interestingly enough there are idioms and speach patterns that ellude to second and third meanings past what was said deriving from pirates ,privateers,prison bark,and slavery..meant to keep conversative intent rather private..good stuff really…