Buay Tahan Origin: Hokkien/Malay – means unable to withstand/tolerate any longer. Buay (Hokkien) for “cannot” and tahan (malay) for “withstand” combines together to give the expression that one can no longer withstand or tolerate any longer. It has a similar meaning to the malay phrase “tak boleh tahan” where “tak boleh” means cannot.
singlish
Drop 20
Drop 20 Origin: Singlish/Army Lingo – a corporal punishment in army in the form of 20 push ups Drop 20 is an army lingo that is used by instructors to give recruits or trainees a corporal punishment of 20 push ups. This punishment is usually meted out if the soldiers failed to follow instructions or […]
Calefare
Calefare Origin: Singlish- a name for someone who is working in a minor role on a film or show. They are commonly refer to as an “Extra” Calefare is someone that takes on a minor role in a film industry. They are usually an extra in a movie or show setting. They could be acting […]
Blur Like Sotong
Blur Like Sotong Origin: Singlish – literal translation is as blur as a squid; used for describing a clueless person. Blur Like Sotong is used to describe a person that is totally clueless to the events happening around him/her.
O$P$ – Owe Money, Pay Money
O$P$ – Owe Money, Pay Money Origin: Acronym/English – O$P$ is a short form for Owe Money , Pay Money The acronym O$P$ is often seen scribbled/sprayed on walls of buildings where the debtor lives. This is a tactic employed by loan sharks who harass debtors who failed to pay up. O$P$ + unit no. […]
OTOT – Own Time, Own Target
OTOT – Own Time, Own Target Origin: English/Singlish/Army Lingo – Acronym for “Own Time, Own Target” OTOT which stands for “Own Time, Own Target” is a phrase first used in Army Camps when conducting shooting practice at a range for the soldiers. Instructions will be given to soldiers in this manner: “Firers watch the front, […]
chao private
Chao Private Origin: Hokkien/English/Army lingo – a name to describe a newly enlisted soldier Chao Private refers to a newly enlisted soldier. The word “chao” stands for smelly in hokkien and Private is the rank for a newly enlisted Soldier. The words used together form a name that is often used on new recruits by […]
Why you so like that ah??
Why you so like that ah?? Origin: Singlish/English – This phrase is used to question someone when they are being unreasonable, difficult or selfish “Why you so like that ah?” is a popular singlish phrase to ask someone when they are being difficult, unreasonable or selfish. It is also a very popular local singlish song. […]
Fly Me Aeroplane
Fly me Aeroplane Origin: Singlish – This phrase is used when someone back out of a promise or a meet-up. Fly me aeroplane, fly aeroplane, fly kite are phrases used when someone back out of a promise or a meet-up.