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Glite Dictionary
🎤 Calypso musician 🎶 Calypso style
calypsonian

calypsonian

1 7.5
A person who writes or performs calypso music
  • noun
  • /kəˈlɪp.sə.ni.ən/
: calypsoniano
  • Each calypsonian takes a symbolic name and prepares both a substantive or "message" song and an "entertaining" number for performance.

Examples

  • The best-known and respected calypsonians are the now deceased Lord Cobra (born in Almirante, Bocas del Toro) and Lord Panama.

    Academic text (2006)

  • These calypsonians were popular musicians in Bocas del Toro, Colón, and Panama City until approximately the 1970s; they gained considerable fame and traveled to the United States to record their songs.

    Academic text (2006)

  • Then again, you have another kind of calypsonian.

    Fiction book (1994)

  • Both the names and song titles of the major calypsonians were revealing.

    Academic text (1995)

  • In this context, the powerful and engaging message of veteran Calypsonian Destroyer (Ogilive Jacobs) had a tremendous impact.

    Academic text (1995)

  • A talented calypsonian entertained the crowd with lively songs at the festival.

  • The young calypsonian wrote a new song celebrating Caribbean culture.

  • Famous calypsonians often compete in annual music competitions held throughout the region.

Synonyms

composer
vscalypsonian
147 3.9

A person who writes music as a job

focuses on a Caribbean musical style and commonly performs as well
melodist
vscalypsonian
1 7.7

A person who writes or performs tunes

emphasizes a Caribbean musical style and covers writing and performing roles

Surface Forms

calypsonian singular
calypsonians plural

Morphology

calypsonian = calypso (transparent) = calypso + ian

The noun denotes a person associated with calypso; this is a straightforward agentive/relational use of '-ian'.

Etymology

Calypsonian is made from the music name calypso and the ending -ian. One popular idea is that calypso comes from the West African word kaiso meaning 'praise', and -ian is like in Italian meaning 'person from or relating to', so a calypsonian is someone who sings, writes, or performs calypso music.