AH KOW'S
SEKAND INGGLISH DICKSIONARY

Lau Peet Meng (a.k.a. Peet or Bim), my senior at Yale used to run the Vanda Cafe and Ah Kow's Ingglish Dicksionary (first, sekand, and third). He's left Yale now and his website got erased, but I really wanted to have Singlish on this site -- so these are my saved copies of his dictionary. That's all I have to say -- the rest of this page (except for the Chao Mugger links at the bottom) is entirely his. Enjoy!

Welcome to Ah Kow's second Dicksonairy! The first has been so popular that there was simply no space to cope with the demand. So here it is, the improved sekand edision of the Dicksonairy!

Editor's Comments:

• Feel free to submit an entry even though it is already there as different people will offer different perspectives on the word
• and try to be as elaborate as possible! One-liners will usually be discarded unless they are really good.

The Tiger counts 91! (total : 189)

QUICKINDEX

A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, I, J, K, L, M, N, O, P, Q, R, S, T, U, V, W, X, Y, Z.

Bakchew tah stamp/sai by Edwin Chan

Which literally means "eye stuck with a stamp/smeared with shit" Connotative meaning is "very blind." e.g. Wah liao ayy! His girlfriend so argly, bakchew tah stamp! e.g. She so happening! He like tek ko she really bakchew tah sai!

Blanket by Pinky of DISCS

Verb. To beat a person up. Originated from Blanket Parties, where a much-hated person is covered with a blanket and the "blanketeers" will rain blows on him. Normally used to threaten or check a person's actions or behaviour so that he doesn't go overboard.
Eg, A: Oi! Dun be so like that har... wait they come and blanket you then you know.
B: This guy har, really too much know. Tonite must blanket!

Blur like Sotong by Bryan

Blur (adj.) a mixture of a few things, but somewhat self-explanatory could mean dense, or just plain stupid - think 'dorkish'
Sotong (n.) Cuttlefish/Squid - these poor creatures have been the butt of 'blur' jokes in Singapore for as long as I can imagine. Can someone tell me why squids are so blur !? I think they're cool coz they squirt ink !

Ex. Sergeant : Recruit Tan, you blur like sotong, how come ?!?!
Rec.Tan : Dunno leh, Sergeant !
Sergeant : Neber mind, see that wall there ? 5 second go tats the wall and come back !
Rec.Tan : Yes, Sergeant !!

Bo Eng Lah! by Johnny

Meaning : Not free or can't be bothered
Aiyoh! So many things to do. Go bowling? Boh eng lah!

Borrow Me by Cheryl Tan

Commonly used by Singaporeans of the Ah-beng and Ah-lian species. It means "lend" and is usually used in the context of a request.
Ah-Beng: Eh, my Brylcream donno go where. Can you borrow me your hairgel?
N.B. "Donno go where" = "I don't know where it went"

Buey tah han by Aw Theng Yue

Translation:(hokkien) Cannot take the pressure or cannot solve problem.
Student 1: Wahlaoeh, this exam I really buey tah han it ah. Soo meny questions i dunno.
Student 2: Yah lo i also wanto bengsan already.

CAB by Serena Sim

otherwise known as Chow Ah Beng!
Or in a more frendly way ... TAXI!!!!

Can by Cheryl Tan

Often used to praise someone for something specific. Origin: Mandarin. (eg. "Ni zhen xing!")
Ah-Kow: Walanay, you so fast finish your homework already har. You very the can, man!
N.B. Can also be used without "the." Eg. "Wah, you very can!"

Catch No Ball! by Chan Seck Yuen

Meaning: Don't understand
Example: Can you repeat that again? I catch no ball leh!

cham siong by Lim Swee Ching

means to compromise (usually to get out of trouble)
Example: Ah Lian to an ow ka (traffic police) who is giving her a ticket: "Why like dat, can cham siong or not?"

Cher by pepperMINt

A quick way of calling "teacher". Most prominently heard from secondary school students.
Eg, Student A: Cher cher! Can I go to the loo?
Teacher : Go lah go lah!

Chiminology by Eddie Tham

Define: To describe difficult words such that one cannot understand.
Example: Ooi! Wat you say I dun understand lah, stop using those chiminology can or not! Example: When writing must use some chiminology, then teacher will think that I am very educated mah.

Diam by Ivy Lee

An english equivalant would be 'be quiet!'
For example: Diam Diam! You had better be good or mummy will butcher you up into minced pork. Diam Diam is the same as Diam, except it is more serious.

Dom Pang by Edmund

Usually used as an expression to request a favour from someone who might be going your way
My buy-si-cal broke down today, can dom pang your kar to werk today or not.. or Since you are going out for lunch, can I dom pang you to buy me some cheeken rice?

Ekscew me by Vivian Rodrigues

Translation : to excuse one self
pls see variations of ekscrew me and eksqueue me more commonly used by Ah Lians and Ah Bengs who obviously do not know the English language enough

Fwweling by Antonio

Meaning : Feeling
EXAMPLE: I haf "fwwelings" for you, you know!

Fri-end by Edmund

The Singaporean equivalent of buddy or mate, or it can be used by kids to mean 'befriend'.
Fri-end, you better not come round here anymore or else I wah-lap you or If you friend Ah kaw then I don't friend you

Ga Na THRASH! by Steven Ling

Ga Na : Meaning got targeted or aimed in Hokkien
Thrash : A English word of being beaten or defeated
Man : A cool word usually ends with some long sentences. Usually being used by Ah Bengs and Ah Lians.
This expression has been a very good example of a mixture of a Hokkien, an English and an English-cum-Singlish version of words
" Wah Low ! That Team is too good for your team, you all GA NA Thrash Man !"

Giam Chai by James Wong

meaning : salted vegetable , born loser
Example :hey, why you so giam chai, forever gena condemned by tow kay.
Meaning : Why are you always a born loser, get condemned by the boss.

hage by Irving Tjin

The eighth letter of the alphabet (H) eg 'You want apply for hage-dee-bee flat or not?' 'Yesterday I go em-pee-hage'

Hang (proper engrish pronounciation) by Darren Ng

meaning: in fashion, in trend.
Eg: Wah lau eh, you still wear friendship bands ah?
They now buey hang liao lah.

Huntum/Wack by Pinky of DISCS

Means to do something, but indicating doing it in a slipshod indifferent manner. Commonly associated with "anyhow".
Eg1, A: Oi. This thing how to do? Dunno leh.
B: Aiyah, anyhow huntum/wack one answer lar, so easy.

Sometimes, it also means "Just do it!"
Eg2,A: Ei, the food smells good to me.
B: Wack ar!
Translation for B: Let's eat!

hao lian by Ming

meaning: vain beyond belief
Eg: mai hao lian lah! who's going to look atch you?

Jia Lat! by Thomas Lim

means very serious; prefixed with see-peh; to make it even more serious.
example: jia-lat man! Exam this time sure fail one.

jheelo by Ming

meaning: zero
eg: Someone yelling into the phone to his bookie, "One hunnert, you idiert!!! One-jheelo-jheelo!"

Joffee by ?

literal meaning: Geography
"Ay, tomollow the JOFFEE tess you study liao not? Sure damn chiatlat one nah!"

Jude by Barmby

It 's a word commonly use by buayas(color wolf).No known sources where it is from. It 's actual meaning is pretty or rather sweet in description of a ger(female human being).
"ooi Ah Leng!!!Look there !!!!!! you see that ger walking across the Atrium,wah lau damn jude man !!!! "

Kan-cheong by Ron and Angela

Meaning: to be hurried, flustered, uptight
The MRT door heaven open yet, you so kan-cheong for whaaaat!
Now onee Apler, Novembler then exam, why so kan-cheong?

Ke Chia by Leonard Cheok

Explanation: Up the lorry (literal)
Other meaning: Die!!!
Usage:Wah piang eh!two-mollow got test leh, haven't pe-plare yet, so ke Chia!!!

kena sai by James Heng

meaning - literal "to be stained by SHIT".
Is used to comment that a person has done something to thoroughly embarass/disgrace himself
Eg. Wah liaow! His singing so terok but still action on stage, really kena sai, man!

Kiam Siak by Peggy

Meaning stingy
Eg, Just one chicken wing only what, why you so calculative, sooo kiam siak, treat me lah.

Kiasu by Terrence Shan

Origin: Hokkian
Meaning : The fear of losing out
Eg (In a bootfel Steam-boat Rest-torant)
Ah Huat : "Why you so kiasu? Take so many. After can take again what"
Ah Poh : "No lah, if don't take now, after no more already"

Kim gui by Peggy

meaning : direct translation from Hokkien is golden turtle. Available rich men.
Eg. Why you so stewpit, so pretty you, can hook a kim gui what, why so sai yang, whai what yourself with this poor guy?

Lay long by Malcolm Loh

To display,parade (esp. something of little or no value)
Example: Aiyah, Ah Kow, why you lay-long your singlet and socks all over the shop! Please keep them in the cupboard.
(see All Over The Shop)

Lem Bek by kay Lim

Meaning: To be laggi weak physically.. (Warning: Could be sexually offensive ..so pls be lem bek just this once - use with care !)
Origin:(probably) Malay
eg. Aiyoh ! Why he everything cannot do one..so lembek !

Lerf by ming

meaning: love
Darling ah.....I lerf you for-efer you know? Donch leaf me hor?

LL by S S CHUA

"lan" "lan" meaning what can you do about it!
eg...so what if i don't turn up for the meeting...LL lah...!

LoOON by Ah beng

meaning: endure or hoping for the best.
What to do! Never study for exam,can only loOON.

Low Soh by Ah Qing

Meaning : to repeat yourself over and over again
"Mummy, why are you so low soh, you must be getting old already lah!"

LPPL by Damien A.J. Lim

Define as lam pa pak lan(hokkien language)
Meaning:"to back fire"
Used in the context of telling someone that his plan will not succeed.
Example:Ah Beng,you want to chit in your exam tomolloh,har?
You tink you can lite the ansir on the table?Cher catch you,lppl man!

Loogi by Edmund

Means to lose out on something
Mas eat more prawns at seafood bar-be-que or else loogi you know. or
Waah, you kis him on your first dead, you don't scared you loogi to him meh

Mati Truse/Truse mati by Leonard Cheok

As per Ke Chia or sure die. Usage: Sure mati truse if you don't study for your test lah!

Nioaw or kiam siak by Peggy

Meaning : stingy; can also mean tickle
eg. Don't niaow me hah, I very scared of this one, very ticklish. For example for usage for stingy, see kiam siak.

Ohso can by Foreign Singaporean

Meaning: Also can
Standard positive answer when asked to do something.
Can you drop me home. "Ohso can"
How about go to Yaohan? "Ohso can"
Take me out for dinner? "Ohso can"

On The Ball by James Wong

To decribe a person for exceptionally hardworking.
Why you so on the ball, spoil the market......

"Or Piang" by Ng Shuh-Lit

Adjective: meaning ugly, especially for ah-lian/ah-beng category of people
Example: Wah lau, your sister really look or piang, man.

Pai-seh by Audrey Tan

Meaning: Apologetic with embarassment and some shyness!
Origin: Hokkien
Examples of use: Today you pay for dinner again huh, so pai seh!
"Eh, Ah Seng fart in the lift one -- not scared of pai seh!"

pa-jiao by Gal

literal translation:Beat Bird
English equivalent :Blind
Eg:Look at the plane in the sky!
Where?
You pa-jiao one is it! There!!!!
Oh There

Pi Caw Sai by Ah Qing

Meaning : very cheap
"I brought many things from the Tangs annual sales as they are Pi Caw Sai."

PITA by Pinky of DISCS

Short form for "Pain in the Ass".
Eg1, A: He lar! Always like that, act like a PITA.
Eg2, B: Dun be such a PITA can or not? Wait they come and blanket you then you know.

Procidigaade by Diraj Goel

Jargon usually expressed by airport announcers concerning gate changes. After a long day at continuously reading numbers these airport personels are just not bothered whether tourist understand them.
Example: "Flight SQ109 will be departing at 10:30. Procidigade 13."

Sah-Leh by Ken Tan

'SALE' in a discreet way. For tum-sim people who do not want to be labelled as a cheapskate.
e.g. "Eh..Katong sopping sehnta got the "Sah-Leh" you know. Some up to hap-pry ah!"

Sa Kah by Peggy

Meaning : to flatter someone, get into someone's good side
Eg. I know you are want to get good grades, but for goodness sake, not sa kah untill like that lah!

Sart by Ming

meaning: so shiok you feel almost invincible
Wah! You very sart, ah! Win lottery now can spend! Can lend me marnee or not?

See-Buay by Marbin thiew

English Trans. : VERY!!!!!
Usage : Usually used by trueblue singaporeans to replace the "colonial scums'" word , VERY. This highly versatile replacement can be used in almost any sentance which requires the word, very. Best used with other singlish words, like siong, sian, jar lat, etc...

E.Gs : Wah lau!! That 5bx see-buay siong ah!!! Can die!!! Kar-n*-**!! Miss Chin's philo lecture see-buay sian! Almost hung myself!!! Eh! Ah Gao! You got buy the flower for Ah Huay or not?? Don't have, ah!!See-buay jarlat!!!

CAUTION!! : Even though this wonderful word is fairly versatile, new users should be warned that there are some instances where a replacement may be inappropiate. For example, see-buay euphonious just doesn't kick!Or like Ah Gao would say.. see-buay buay kam!!

see gin nah by Mylene Tong

Meaning : "see" meaning die in hokkien
"gin nah" meaning children or kids in hokkien
Used to scold someone who got you in trouble, sabo you ,did you injustice or just simply irritates you!

example:"see gin nah,you.Try to be funny right?Wait till I get my hands on you."

See Pai Ho by Terry Siow

Meaning: Very Good

Seik bai by Youknowwho

English equivalent: mission failed
Usage: usually use to describe a failure or loser. e.g. Sooo simple job also cannot do you relly seik bai no.

Sia Kah by Yap Hwee Kheng

Origin : To describe a people playing mahjong in the same table
a) who doesn't give you any tiles to MAKAN or/and
b) who keep throwing tiles to let other in the table win except you.
Use : On anyone you don't like particularly who he/she does something that annoys you.
Hokkien: Sia (Shit!!!) Kah (leg)

Siow Liao by Johnny

1st meaning: crazy, out of his mind
Eg. I think he siao liao, so on for what? Never ask you to do you still go and do!!

2nd meaning: expression used before or after `disaster'. A.k.a. die lah!
Eg. This time siao liao! Got assignment to hand in tomorrow still haven't do!

'skius by Omar K. Aliudin

Short for excuse me.
Meaning: I'm walking here, please get out of my way.
Usage: When Mamat or Ah Beng rush to the pocket comb sale and many people are on their path: "'skius!! 'skius me!!"

solly no park keh! by Ming

meaning: you can apologise til Hell freezes over and I STILL won't "yuan-niang nee" (forgive you) nor forget!!!!
A: Ay,ah ngiah, solly I take your sweet lah, I buy you back one can?
B: Solly no park keh! You think I what, so issy to buy one meh?

Solid siah! by Steven Sim

Meaning: Simply great, superb!
For example,
Ah Mao: Did you watch the football match last night?
Ah Kow: Got lar! That Abbas Saad dem _solid siah! That beautiful goal he kicked in saved the Lions man!

Spoil The Market by Chan Seck Yuen

Meaning: Raise the standard (of something) to an unacceptably high level.
Example: His project do until so solid ... spoil the market only!

Standard By Ah Huay's Tua Chee

Up to expectations; class of its own - unique
Used sometimes to describe a person who will defy all odds to be unique:
Wah, so hot yet you wear leather jacket, got standard man!
Used for situations where sarcasm is required :
You very standard one, supposed to meet at 1 o'clock you come at 2 o'clock..
Used often while playing mahjong : Eh, one double you also game, where got standard?

Stewpit by Peggy

Meaning : stupid
Eg. Alamak, why you so like that, soooo stewpit, this way cannot then do the other way lah.

Swah-ku by Damien Lim

Origin:Hokkien word

Translation:mountain tortise.
Meaning:To tell someone that he/she is not well inform or not knowledgeable.
Example:What!Aiyah,sooo simple you also dunno.So vely swah-ku one! You vely obiang in your dressing also.

Swaih by Peggy

Meaning : never mind, forget about it.
Eg. You don't like to fiend me, swaih, many kim guis are waiting to date me. Ai ya, one more mak (mark) only, still get distinction what, swaih lah.

Tak Boleh Pakai by Vivian Rodrigues

Meaning : cannot be trusted or of no use
Ah Siong : Aiyah , die die you cannot trust him one...
he tak boleh pakai by now you don't know meh...

Kan si lang pai kua by Sunny tse thow

meaning: extremely ugly
example: wah lan your girlfriend kan si lang pai kua, if i were you i would tiao lau. (tiao lau - jump off the building or commit suicide)
example2: that shirt you bought from Y_ohan, kan si lang pai kua. Why not gi..me.

"Thumb" by Joe Chia

Mispronounciation of time.
eg. "What is the thumb now?"

TKLSS by Khiang Seow

Meaning: Someone who can boast so well that it sounds as if he/she is singing.
Acronynm: Talk Kok Like Sing Song
Usage: Man! Ah Seng can really TKLSS....

T.C.S.S. by Jeff Low

This stands for "Talk Cock Sing Song" a phrase used by army boys and ah bengs when they refer to someone who is talking nonesense or saying something which is not to be believed.

The abbreviated version "T.C." or to "talk cock" has the same connotation or may also refer to idle talk or chatter among the guys e.g. what army boys do while waiting for the 3-tonner to arrive.

Tok Kong by Steven Ling

Meaning Very Good or Very Solid.
Ah Beng1 " you see her legs..Tok Gong man !"
Ah Beng2 " No..her body more Tok Gong !"
Ah Beng3 " No Lah...what u talking, that one is my MATher Lah ..!"

Tombalik by Ming

meaning: same as Go stun.....(more fondly pronounced as gostarn). Literally [if spelt the correct way in Malay (I think?!? :)] to turn around about 180 degrees.

Eg: Eh, this road so narrow, how you going to tombalik your big fat Mare-see-deese?
You going to do 100-point turn or what?
Sekali tombalik into the lang-kau (<- this refers to the roadside-drain for those who don't know) your father kill you then you know!

Tum-Sim by Ken Tan

Meaning: Greedy.

You know that you're tum-sim when:

1. You buy $1.50 rojak and ask for all tow-pok and yew char kuay.
2. You pay $80 for a trip to Phuket and demand they serve lobsters.
3. You don't pay attention to discounts less than 40%.
4. You will buy 12 ovaltines to get 1 free. (And redeem the gift hankerchief at the counter)
5. You rent out your 3-bedroom apartment to 12 people.
6. Your picture is hung at the Marina seafood center with the words "Do not admit" embossed on it.
7. Your income tax returns is $1.27 and you insist the government should sell you Telecoms shares at a discount.
8. You pay 60 cents for a bus trip from Mandai to Pasir Ris.
9. You want to pay $10 for a COE and expect the road to have no traffic jams.
10. You bought a $4.50 T-shirt from Chinatown and ask for a written warranty.

Vain Pork by JPonsi

meaning: vain, conceited
eg: "Mary why u so vain pork lah."

Wah piang eh by Mylene Tong

meaning:what the heck. (similiar 2 wah lah)
said when the person is frustrated.
example:wah piang eh!so sway ah.why i always kanna tekan?

Wait by Pinky of DISCS

Means later. Normally indicating events that may or likely to occur at a later date. Commonly used in warnings to stop people from doing something. Can be substitutable for the Malay word "Sekali".
Eg, Mother: Ah boy, you cannot throw the sweet-wrapper here one. Wait the police see har, they come and catch you.
Student: You dun like that har. Wait I take away your book and hide it.

WENLA by Soh ee shaun

Expresion which implies that something will not happen, as in the conversation below:
A: Hey, do you think it will rain? B: Aiyah, WENLA!

Whai what by Peggy

Origin : cantonese Meaning : deprive youself of, make suffering upon yourself, suffering in silent. Eg. See kim gui Why You So Like Dat? by Terrence Shan

Meaning: Why did you behave in that way?
Eg.: "Aiya, why you so like dat? Tell you many times don't throw rubbish everywhere you also don't listen. So incolligible one"

Woof! by S. Baldrick

Meaning: Fornication!

Xiam by Charles & Joanne Tan

to mean get out of the way or having avoided something unpleasant
E.g. Xiam! Xiam! Shio ah!
E.g. Neng tiao (officer) call seow eh wash toylet. Wa boh kenna, xiam tiok see pei heng ah!

Ya Ya by Antonio

Meaning : Flirt
EXAMPLE: Eh, wan tu "Ya-Ya" wif thad ger or not??

Re: the Ya-ya explanation. by Cheryl Tan

I believe the word is used more often to mean show off. It's more akin to "action-terror," "dem blardee action" or "axi bolah" than flirt. Of course, because of its all-encompassing nature, it does cover "flirt" as well.

You weesh, I drim. by Ming

Translation: You wish, I dream. Asking for something so impossible that it's ludicrous.
EG: B: Aiyah, flat, car, chil-ren, wife/husband so expenseeve. I where can afford?
A: Eh, why donch you eckjample (example) ask the bang len you marnee first?
B: your kepala kenah what kelapa? I no job, no co-lare-ter-rer they where got give? you weesh, I drim!
alternatively, if B's got his Malay mixed up: Your kelapa kenah what kepala!!!!!

You Thought by Daniel TSA

Soldier: I thought somebody was doing it.
Officer : Ya.. You thought you saw a pussy cat!

You Thought (another version) by Daniel TSA

Sargeant : Ooi.. You *(^(#*&^. What the *&(*& are you doing here!
You're suppose to be prowling not sleeping.
Private : I thought Ah Kao was on the prowl now.
Sargeant : Yes, You thought, I think, Who confirm?.

Z-Monster by Leonard Cheok

Meaning: An army term used with relation to being sleepy.
Usage: SGT: Recruit, cannot fight the Z-monster,right?
Recruit: No!! SGT!!!!!!!
SGT: Ne'ber mind,go and support the wall.