prags

English

Etymology

From mostly-obsolete prog (“provisions, food, supplies”), reflecting a Caribbean pronunciation.

Noun

prags pl (plural only)

1. (Guyana) Handouts, financial aid (sometimes with the implication of having been acquired dishonestly).
   • 1985 Summer, Jan Carew, “Tilson Ezekiel Alias Ti-Zek”, in New England Review and Bread Loaf Quarterly, volume VII, number 4, Lyme, N.H.: Kenyon Hill Publications Inc., →ISSN, →OCLC, page 618:

     "When the bullet hit Charlie, he spin like a leaf in the wind. Charlie turn a leaf spinning in the wind. Charlie boy, rustling was not for you, old man! Should've stick to pragging. Prags, boy, prags! The whole country livin' by prags."

2. (Guyana) Small gifts customarily given to guests.
   • 1991, Brackette F. Williams, Stains on My Name, War in My Veins: Guyana and the Politics of Cultural Struggle, Durham, N.C., London: Duke University Press, →ISBN, pages 102–103:

     Hosts take pride in offering their guests the best of what they have and try to laden them with choice goods as "prags" (gifts) to carry away.