Special Sub-Topic: Singapore Slang II Click Here To Play: Singapore Slang II

We were driving along when my driving instructor said, "OK lah! Now I want you to slow down and 'go stun' into that space there." The instructor wanted me to

Reverse. Well, obviously we can't stun a car but we can the instructor! 'Go stun' is derived from 'go astern'. The word 'astern' has been shortened from 'stern' to 'stun' by driving instructors. Saying 'go stun, go stun!' means 'go backwards' which is cried in excitement particularly when trying to avoid hitting the car in front.

"Wah! He so 'eksi' one just because he has money and has gone round the world rubbing shoulders with famous people." What is 'eksi'?

Showy. 'Eksi' comes from the word 'act' to denote someone who is boastful and likes showing off. 'Wah' is an expression.

We really pity Mrs. Soh as her son really make her 'coff blad'. What did her son do to make her 'coff blad'?

Done something bad. It's actually 'cough blood'. Also 'chikek darah' in Malay or 'tor hueh' in Hokkien. It is used to illustrate having done something so bad so as to exasperate the person beyond words that he can only sputter blood.

My friends and I attended a talk on quantum physics yesterday by a renowned scientist and we agreed that we 'liak boh kew'. What did we agree on?

Didn't understand a word. The phrase means 'catch no ball'. That is to say that, not only is the point missed but that also one doesn't understand a word altogether.

"Mr. Lim there very clever to 'sar kar' the boss. No wonder he get promoted so fast one!" Mr. Lim is good at:

Currying favour. The term was popular in schools in the 60s when a pupil would get into the good books of the teacher by giving little gifts - apple for the teacher. Also used in offices where the employee smugly goes out of his way to make the boss happy.

We were playing catch when Siti fell and banged her head on the ground and got a big 'ba luku'. What did Siti get?

Bump on the head. Comes from the Malay word for a fruit called Buah Duku. It is a little round, kaki coloured fruit with a slightly blemished skin. Kids, in their excitement when showing off their bump, would garble up their R's, L's, D's and T's, hence ending up saying 'ba luku'.

Overheard at a society dinner, "Alamak! How can she come dressed so 'o biang' one!" How is she dressed?

Backwardness in matters of fashion. It is a derogatory term for the opposite of haute couture and is usually used to describe a Chinese who is backwards in matters of fashion. 'Offbeat' would be the closest word to it. 'China mai fong' is a synonym of 'obiang'. 'Alamak' is Malay and used in the same manner as 'Mama mia'; means the same too.

What does it mean when one calls a girl a 'chilli padi'?

Small but spunky. Chilli padis are are those small red, really spicy chillis used in South East Asian cuisine. They may be small but really pack a punch.

Wah! Do you know that Abdul and his family are going to 'makan angin' next month? What will Abdul and his family be doing?

Go on a holiday. 'Makan angin' (Malay) or 'Chia hong' (Hokkien) literally means to 'eat wind'. Closest English translation would be 'take the breeze'. It was originally used to indicate going for a stroll along the beach to enjoy the wind and scenery. Now it's also used to mean going on a holiday.

Ling: "I can't stand it any more! I think May ate a lot of fish that's why so she 'ngeow' type one!" What's 'ngeow'?

Naggy. 'Ngeow' is Hokkien for cat and also equals meow. The term is also used to describe a person who tends to be bitchy and catty, constantly griping and urging others to join in the fight.

Gopal to Seng: "I don't understand how Mat so 'ya-ya' one can get a girl to go out with him!" What is 'ya-ya'?

Good for nothing going about in a grand manner. This is used to describe someone who has behaved like an ass and yet can still manage to look like an owl.

Look at the way that lady 'gelek'. No wonder lah all the men are following her with their eyes! What does 'gelek' pertain to?

Gait. 'Gelek' is Malay and refers to the way one walks by swiveling the hips so as to attract the opposite sex. Done ever so subtly and naturally - takes quite a bit of practice to get it right.

Okay awreddy lah! I 'beh tahan' the way you keep talking about your new boyfriend all the time! What is 'beh tahan'?

Can't stand. This slang is a mixture of the Hokkien word 'beh' for cannot and the Malay word 'tahan' for endure. In English - can't endure too much or anymore.

Playing blackjack at the casino, took one look at my cards, turned to my friend and said "Toh ah! 'Sie keow keow'!" What do I mean by 'sie keow keow'?

Deader than dead. The term is Hokkien, 'sie' for 'die' and 'keow keow' for 'rigor mortis'. It is used to describe an irreparable situation. Example your parents finding out about the fight you had in school and the punisnment you know you'll be facing. 'Toh' is an expression for no hope, finished.

Gopal wrote a letter to his girlfriend the other day and he 'swalk' it. What did Gopal do with the letter?

Sealed with a loving kiss. Nice but sticky one to conclude this quiz with. Hope you enjoyed it. Information from "Eh, Goondu" by Toh Piak Choo