CALYPSO - THE EVOLUTION OF THE CALYPSO

Origin of the term "calypso"

The term "calypso" came after the fact of calypso and seems to be either an attempt at refinement or a corruption on the part of the population, struggling at the turn of a century with a fading French patois, in which the majority of the early songs were sung, and an emerging dominance of English. A term that was unfamiliar to new users of English was simply "anglicized" into one that was.

 There are in fact several theories on, and great controversy over, the origin of the word. Reviewed here is the main ones put forward over the years, since my own research has not turned up anything that is new.

 Nobody seriously contends that it has anything to do with the Calypso of Greek mythology, though one commentator, after reviewing the various possible origins and conceding that "the name Calypso is a misnomer and bears no direct relation whatever to the folk music of Trinidad itself," does venture to add: "…it is still not certain that the English or Americans on coming to Trinidad and hearing the expression used for the folk music and feeling its enchanting effects did not misinterpret the word to mean ‘Calypso’ of Greek mythology."

 Akin to this bit speculation is another equally ingenious and amusing one by Helen Russell: "…a resident here…recalls the arrival in the island in past days from Curacao of a lady singer of easy virtue named Calypso (creole:calyso) but more commonly known as Bim-Bim. Her songs were pronouncedly risque; neither she nor they were mentioned in polite society. It seems probable that the lady’s songs were called by her name, and, by the association of ideas, the name became adopted for carnival improvisations…" One thing is certain: no serious student of the calypso will entertain the thought that it could have come, either in name or in form, from Curacao.

The transformation into "calypso" is seen to have come from one of these sources:

1. the Carib word "carieto," meaning a joyous song, which itself evolved into "cariso;"
2. the French patois creations "carrousseaux" from the archaic French word "carrousse," meaning a drinking party or festivity, or "caillisseaux," an apparent attempt to give a French form to a term transmitted orally, probably "kaiso," of which this form be an acceptable rendition in writing;
3. the Spanish word "caliso," a term also used for a topical song in St. Lucia;
4. "careso," a topical song from the Virgin Islands;
5. the West African (Hausa) term "Kaiso," itself a corruption of "kaito," an expression
6. of approval and encouragement similar to "bravo."

 This last term "kaiso" has also survived alongside its derivation "calypso," which, according to Errol Hill, first appeared as "calypso," denoting the Trinidad Carnival song only in 1900. It is still used to show appreciation for a calypso well composed and executed. Thus Quevedo’s statement about "kaiso" being used to describe the song when sung as well as a means of expressing ecstatic satisfaction over what was in the opinion of the audience a particularly excellent "kaiso" is still valid today, a state of affairs that does not seem to be in any way on the decline.

 The dual existence of an original word alongside its etymological derivative is nothing new. The difference in them is usually one of pure semantics. Hence "kaiso," in addition to its main role as indicator of appreciation and approval, is at times also used interchangeably for "calypso." In such a case it has the connotation of "genuine calypso." In recent times, there has been in some circles a favouring of the term "kaisonian" to designate one who sings ‘genuine" calypsoes, as opposed to "calypsonian" for the run-of-the-mill. Be that as it may, the term "calypso" seems well entrenched.
 

Source: National Heritage Library
 
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