Note 97 — Little Dictionary of Creole Proverbs.

In the Creole of Guyana this proverb exists in a very curious form: Ago pa guéri maleng.—“the excuse doesn’t cure the hurt.” M. Alfred de Saint-Quentin in his work upon this remarkably fantastic and melodious Creole dialect, says that Ago is the only word of purely African origin he has been able to find in the Guyana patois. On the Gold coast ago! is a warning cry: “Take care!—clear the way!” The Guyana slaves retained the word in a different sense. The negro who accidentally jostles anybody, still exclaims Ago!—but it now means “Beg pardon,” or “Excuse me!”