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Say It Jamaican
TraditionalAwaiting cultural review

“Wah sweet nanny goat a go run him belly.”

What tastes sweet to the goat will upset its stomach.

Make a message from this

What does “Wah sweet nanny goat a go run him belly” mean?

Pleasures enjoyed now may bring trouble later. Something attractive in the moment can have consequences that only become clear afterward. The saying encourages you to look beyond immediate enjoyment and think about the cost of overdoing it. It can apply to spending, risky choices or other temptations; it is figurative advice, not a medical claim.

English translation

What tastes sweet to the goat will upset its stomach.

Understanding the expression

The goat enjoys something sweet before experiencing an upset stomach. That contrast between pleasure and discomfort carries the warning. The expression works best when there is a clear connection between an appealing choice and a possible later cost. It need not condemn all enjoyment: the practical message is moderation and attention to consequences rather than avoiding every pleasure.

When to use it: an illustrative example

A friend wants to spend their entire budget on a celebration despite having bills due. You might say, “Wah sweet nanny goat a go run him belly,” and encourage them to enjoy the occasion without creating a financial problem for next week.

Topics

WisdomCautionFunny SayingsTraditional Proverbs

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Attribution and review

Traditional Jamaican proverb

This entry is awaiting cultural review. The explanation and illustrative example are editorial interpretations, not a documented origin or historical quotation.