Being a Malaysian, we've got to love and respect the way we screwed up the English language
and making it our own daily language and even our very own culture.
Chapter 1[Names]Ah BengSomeone who looks and behaves like a nerd, usually with very short hair.
Very good in Maths and chess but lacks alot in the social department
Ah KwaA male with extremely feminine behavior. Talented in arts such as
beauty, hairdressing and fashion. Also called "
pondan".
The more extreme Ah Kwa's are transgenders with big, fake
neh-neh poks.
Ah PiaThe older version of Ah Beng. Engineering students were popularly known
as Ah Pias.
"Eh Ah Pia, smelling ah?" Always at other faculties to try their
luck with chicks.
AuntieUse by young Malaysians to address elder women. Whether or not the ladies are
blood relatives or not, anyone who looks old enough is an "Auntie".
"Excuse me Auntie, you dropped your carrots."BarsketA curse word to address someone you hate or who annoys you. A substitute
word for the ruder word, Bastard. Barsket seems more.. hurm... polite.
"Woi BARSKET! Your grandfather's road ah?!!"BladibarsketA more extreme version of Barsket. Bladi substitutes bloody, thus bladi barsket
would be the Malaysian alternative for Bloody bastard.
BladifulManglish version of bloody fool. Not only used to swear at others,
but also can be used playfully or affectionately.
"Eh... how are you bruder! Bladiful, damn long never see you larr!"Big ShotNothing to do with guns, but used to address important people or of higher ranks.
Also can be used sarcastically to address ppl who thinks their "butt very big"
"Take your leg off my table lah! You think you big shot ah?!!"
Botak/Botak headSomeone who is bald or at the verge of being bald.
"Eh Botak head, come here and show me your homework."ChinamanA comparative expression for Chinese men with rude and uncouth manner.
Also used nowdays to address people who are
kiamsap, stingy or calculative.
"Aiyo, you pay for the kopi lar this time. Don't be so Chinaman lar you!"Doongu/GoonduUsed to address people whom one deems as stupid or dumb.
A much more polite word compared to
Bodoh and can also be used to tease others.
"I tell you how many times oredi you still kenot understand. Real Doongu lar you!"HantuThe accurate meaning of "ghost" but used to describe one who is very naughty.
"Your son a real Hantu lar. See lah, he go pour kicap all over my blouse."JinjangUsed previously for those who like commonly like to hang out at cinemas
and shopping complexes. Nowadays used to describe those who looks "one kind"
and always trying to emulate movie stars with flamboyant outfits.
Another similar word:
Lala.Kay Po ChiOriginated from the Hokkien language and used to address those who love to
"dig other people's nose" or to be busybody. Abbreviation: KPC.
"Eh don't Kay Po Chi lah. Everything also want to know!"KiasuAlso originated from Hokkien which literally means "Scared to loose".
People who are kiasu can't resist freebies, sales, giveaways and discounts.
"These Singapore barskets really kiasu lar. Got sale only all flock to Malaysia"MangkukUpdated version of Goondu which is also used to describe those who are stupid.
Mangkuk is the Malay word for bowl. Probably used to relate an empty headed person
to an empty bowl.
"Mangkuk betul lar these people. Orang cacat (disabled person) parking also go and park!"Mat SallehAffectionate name for Westerners and Caucasions.
Probably originated from the phrase "Mad Sailor'. Alternative word: Orang puteh
"Aiseh..go US two months only come back with Mat Salleh accent ah?"Papan/AirportUsed to describe women who lack in the chest department.
To depict a women's chest to be as flat as a plank or a runway at the airport.
"Wah, why you so busty ar? I stand beside you feel like airport only"Pat PohChinese expression for kay poh chee. Only slightly more harsh and also used
to mock a lady that you are annoyed or angry with.
SotongMalay word for squid. Used to address guys who have a very effeminate character.
Substitute word for Pondan. Probably to denote someone to be as soft as a squid.
"HA HA HA, look at that sotong fella running!"
Exercise 1:
1. Who dou you call a "buaya"? - _______________
2. Define the accurate meaning of "kerling" - ______________
3. Construct a sentence with "natan" - _____________
-end of Chapter 1-
