What does it mean to be "limin'?"

The etymology of the word liming is obscure. It is a Trinidadian word, probably of recent origin since English has been a popular language in Trinidad for less than a century. It means, roughly, "hanging around" - but as we shall see, there is no exact linguistic or cultural equivalent to liming in the cultural contexts with which most of us are familiar.

The concept of liming encompasses any leisure activity entailing the sharing of food and drink, the exchange of tall stories, jokes and anecdotes etc., provided the activity has no explicit purpose beyond itself. As such, it may seem as though liming occurs in most societies. But whereas idling and inactivity are frequently seen unequivocally as shameful and slightly immoral kinds of social situations, liming is in Trinidad acknowledged as a form of performing art; it is a kind of activity one wouldn't hesitate to indulge in proudly. In liming contexts, verbal improvisation, ingenuity and straightforward aimlessness are highly regarded, provided one follows the rules, which, however, are nearly all implicit. 

Liming is, in other words, an activity not subjected to a formal set of rules. Its value to the participants is entirely contingent on the shared meaning that can be established spontaneously. A typical lime begins when two or several acquaintances (neighbours, colleagues, relatives or simply friends) meet more or less by chance; in the street, at the grocer's, outside somebody's home, or in the rumshop. 

It is impossible to lime alone: liming is inherently a social activity; it is constituted by the (minimally) dyadic relationship and cannot be reduced to the individual agent. A second necessary condition for a lime is the presence of an ambience of relaxation and leisure. Both (or all) limers should relax physically (recline in chairs, lean against walls etc.) in a manner enabling them to converse at their ease. Thirdly, the situation should assume an air of openness: a lime is in principle open to others who might want to join. Liming is, in other words, a social and public activity.

Dear Visitor,

It gives me great pleasure to welcome you to the official website of We Limin Promotions International. We have designed our website with the aim of keeping our browsers abreast of the most recent developments on the local, regional and international front, by providing the most up-to-date information, news, reports, promotions, carnivals, parties and events surrounding Caribbean Culture. 
It seeks to convey the most comprehensive development process in the Entertainment Industry within the Republic of Trinidad & Tobago, the Caribbean Region, North America & the UK and in realizing the vision of We Limin Promotions International in transforming the Entertainment Industry by propelling our Caribbean Culture into the international arena.

We also seek to give the website's visitors with an in-depth view of We Limin Promotions International wide spectrum of objectives, activities and events, in addition to highlighting Caribbean Culture; Artistes, Music, the Film Industry, Fashion Design, Poetry, Song Writing, Production etc. Moreover the website provides information on Current Events, Artistes and their professional background, music and downloads, online bookings, photos, videos and all that's happening within the Caribbean Entertainment Industry and its development. We have designed the website in a user friendly manner in order to ensure quick and efficient access to information.

I would like to welcome you once again to We Limin Promotions International's website, which I hope you find interesting, fun, entertaining as well as beneficial and where you can LIVE... LOVE... LIME. Please feel free to share with us any suggestions or ideas that may improve the quality of our website.

Crystal Granado
Marketing Director
We Limin Promotions International