"You damn terh, man!"



Today's obsession is Singlish. It's the creoled english they speak in Singapore. I'm fascinated by the place. Talkingcock.com has a great section called The Coxford Singlish Dictionary, the best and most complete online repository of Singlish vocab and usage.

A quick sample:

TOOT
Used to describe inept or uncool behaviour. Can be both noun and adjective.
1. “Why is he such a toot? Whole day study and can still fail PSLE!”
2. “Eh, your bag, ah, is damn toot! You NUS oreddy and still use Powerpuff Girls bag!”

HONG KAN
A very rude Hokkien phrase meaning, "asking for it". Literally, "wanting to be fucked".
"Why you stare at me? Hong kan is it?"

KANA SAI
Hokkien corruption meaning, "like shit." Not to be confused with "Kena Sai".
"You listen to him karaoke. His voice kana sai lai dat."

MAIN
(mah-in)
From the Malay word "main", meaning to play. Often used synonymously with "played out".
"Basket, I trusted the bugger, but instead I kena main by him." (I trusted him, but he played me out.)

BASKET
(bahs-kate)
Nothing to do with woven receptacles. A term of uncertain origin, but the general consensus is that it was once a euphemism for "bastard". Nowadays, it is an exclamation denoting frustration.
"Basket! Five minute only, oreddy kena saman! No coupon!"

Also, from about an hour of web research on contemporary Singapore rock, I found a band that I like. They're called The Observatory. Check it out:



I think a band called Astreal is alright, but I sort of don't like the singing. I might enjoy the 90's stuff where they have a dude singer more. You know how I am about female voices.

The band Electrico is sort of OK. They're pretty commercial though.


Does anybody know about any actual indie rock bands from Singapore or Malaysia? Let me know.
- posted by Mason @ 5:45 PM