Calypsos

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. A genre of music originating in Trinidad that incorporates lively rhythms and social commentary through lyrics
2. A festive style of singing characterized by wit and satire, often performed in a party setting
3. A cultural expression that blends musical performance with storytelling, often celebrating Caribbean heritage and addressing social issues

Etymology: "Calypsos" is simply the plural of "calypso," the Trinidadian music and song form. The noun's own origins are a tangle: it began as a Trinidad English word, an alteration of "kaiso," which may ultimately come from an African language. One proposal links it to Ibibio "ka iso," meaning "come on," a cry used to urge dancers on. The familiar spelling, however, was shaped by a later folk-etymological pull toward Calypso, the sea nymph of Greek myth, whose name came into Latin and then English. So the word's sound and spelling point toward two different worlds, one African and one classical.

Synonyms: calypso music