A place called Butt-Up-Town

Butt-Up-Town in Trelawny is among the many communities across Jamaica whose name may cause people to pause for a moment and wonder if they got it right.

Located just outside of Albert Town, in the southern section of the parish, Butt-Up-Town is a farming community that seems to have yam growing in every corner.

The origin of the name is not quite known. Many persons there prefer to give it a slight variation -- Buck-Up-Town -- but for the majority of the residents, they seem to have no qualms with the funny name that serves as their address.

Dennis Graham, who was born and raised in the community, is one of its elders.

"From mi born until now them a call it Butt-Up-Town," the 86-year-old said. "Some people cut it their way and say Buck-Up-Town, but a Butt-Up is the right name. Mi never hear any story (about the origin of the name) because mi never really ask about it."

Jermain Edwards, a younger resident, said he heard stories of indigenous people meeting up there centuries ago. He said that some of the young people refused to refer to the community by its official name.

It don't mean nothing

"Mi hear say a the Arawaks buck up on each other and when asked where they stopped they said Buck-Up-Town," said Edwards.

"Psychologically, it don't mean nothing much to the older folks, but for the younger ones them not going to really say Butt-Up, so they say Buck-Up. It's the way you pree life. That's if your mind is in the gutters because you can't write Buck-up Town anywhere when it name Butt-Up-Town," Edwards added.

Collette Bucknor admitted that no one really knows how the name Butt-Up Town came about, but said she heard stories from her grandmother about it being named Buck-Up-Town.

"My grandmother told me that people used to come from bush and meet up under a big mango tree to rest. I don't know if it's because people talk Patois or because they used to meet up there why they call it Buck-Up-Town. However, as for the Butt-up Town, I could not say," Bucknor said.

Nicole Nugent, councillor for the Albert Town division, where Butt-Up-Town sits, said they have never considered changing the name.

"I was born in the area and most of my family still live there. I don't know how it got the name. Growing up there, you know everybody talk bad, so we call it Buck-Up-Town," said Nugent, who is responsible for erecting the current sign.

"Maybe people would have an issue if we change it (the name). If we were to, I know a lot of questions would come up," she said.