steups meaning: definition, etymology and quotations

steups

noun

Etymology Imitative of the act of sucking one's teeth as a gesture of annoyance or disapproval. Native to the English-speaking West Indies, e.g. Barbados, Trinidad & Tobago etc. In Jamaica, the term "kissing teeth" is used instead.

Caribbean, Dialectal, Onomatopoeic The sound made by sucking one's teeth.

A loud steups followed.2003, Ramabai Espinet, The Swinging Bridge, page 45:
He thought he heard a loud steups somewhere from the dark.2004, Anson Gonzalez, Crossroads of Dream, page 57:

1 more example

When my mother heard this she let out a loud steups but said nothing.2006, Joy Mahabir, Jouvert, page 78:

steups

verb

Caribbean, Jamaica, Dialectal, Onomatopoeic To suck one's teeth, indicating disappointment, derision or disgust.

‘Here?’ Petronella steups. ‘Where you think here is?’2022, Ayanna Lloyd Banwo, When We Were Birds, Hamish Hamilton, page 104:

Related terms: hiss, shush