The term "Loh Soh" has got to be one of the most important colloquial expressions of all time. Singaporeans love to use this expression as we are typically impatient always rushing from point A to B. If there is any other phrase to depict life in sunny Singapore, it would be this.
However, the usage of the term "Loh Soh" is typically ascribed to others, it is never used in reference to oneself. Like all Singaporean Abbreviations, the true nature of the term refers to a third party that is long-winded. I am also mindful of this as I write so that I will not be terms as someone long-winded as well.
But that said, we are all entitled to our own opinions. We like to think that we are right, but others are not so right as we are. Of course, who doesn't? I have yet to meet someone who thinks they are wrong 90% of the time. It would be hard to get into any kind of conversation with this person because it would quite disinteresting to talk about anything. It might boost my ego for a while, but I might start to think this person is needy.
Anyway, a person who is typically long-winded or is unable to find a precise or concise manner to express themselves would be deemed as someone who is "Loh Soh" or long-winded. This could be as a result of a few factors. One of which could be the poor vocabulary of the speaker and thus their inability to express themselves well enough to convey their points across.
The other reason could be the listener and the fact that they are probably getting impatient just listening to them beat about the bush, or not getting straight to the point. It has something to do with the way we are brought up I think. We are mostly educated in the British educational style where we are encouraged to express ourselves in many different ways and forms, but when we graduate as adults and enter into higher levels of learning, some of us are educated in the American way of doing things which is basically no frills and to the point.
Each style of learning has its benefits and likewise could be the reason why some people interact with each other differently these days. The trouble with that could be due to the lack of patience in most people, and thus the labeling of others who may have a need to share more background information when they speak as - "Loh Soh".. :)
Saturday, 2 March 2013
Monday, 11 February 2013
"WP" (...)
"WP" in Singapore's context can mean a lot of things. Traditionally it means "Workers Party" - a political party that has gained popularity in recent years as the party that seeks to sieve out a better life for the common man.
Another referral to "WP" is perhaps also a tongue-in-cheek poke at the ruling government which consists mainly of "PAP" elected candidates. The coffee-shop talk has always been since "PAP" means pay and pay - suggesting that life has been quite tough under the ruling government, so they say coined the abbreviation "WP" which means "Why Pay" suggesting that if they are elected, there is no need to pay.
Well, jokes aside, whether we pay or question the rationale behind paying or not, the more important thing is, whoever that is elected, should deliver their best for the people.
More recently, the abbreviation "WP" also refers to the "White Paper" on population, and that has been a hotly contested topic in parliament and something that has been on the minds of most Singaporeans.
Another referral to "WP" is perhaps also a tongue-in-cheek poke at the ruling government which consists mainly of "PAP" elected candidates. The coffee-shop talk has always been since "PAP" means pay and pay - suggesting that life has been quite tough under the ruling government, so they say coined the abbreviation "WP" which means "Why Pay" suggesting that if they are elected, there is no need to pay.
Well, jokes aside, whether we pay or question the rationale behind paying or not, the more important thing is, whoever that is elected, should deliver their best for the people.
More recently, the abbreviation "WP" also refers to the "White Paper" on population, and that has been a hotly contested topic in parliament and something that has been on the minds of most Singaporeans.
"Swee Swee" (SS)
Whenever I hear someone say "Swee Swee", they are usually declaring that something is done perfectly. Or that it cannot be done better.
"Swee" in Hokkien is an adjective to describe something or a situation is "beautiful". The usage in Singapore is always pertaining to the precise nicely timed moment when something "magically" worked or dropped into place.
To say something is "Swee Swee" is to say that it is perfectly beautiful.
Eg. When assembling a chair from say IKEA, and you basically assembled it without looking at the instructions manual but every bolt and nut you took, you intuitively know in your heart that it was meant for this position or that place.
You basically assembled the chair in a matter of minutes, and you exclaim in excitement to all your friends, "Swee Swee!"
The chair was assembled beautifully.
"Swee" in Hokkien is an adjective to describe something or a situation is "beautiful". The usage in Singapore is always pertaining to the precise nicely timed moment when something "magically" worked or dropped into place.
To say something is "Swee Swee" is to say that it is perfectly beautiful.
Eg. When assembling a chair from say IKEA, and you basically assembled it without looking at the instructions manual but every bolt and nut you took, you intuitively know in your heart that it was meant for this position or that place.
You basically assembled the chair in a matter of minutes, and you exclaim in excitement to all your friends, "Swee Swee!"
The chair was assembled beautifully.
Saturday, 29 December 2012
"Jia Lat" (JL)
When we say "Jia Lat" in Singapore, we really make something's (or someone) "the sh*t" or it could refer to the situation and that the scenario or facts surrounding the issue could be quite terrible and insurmountable.
It's not a good situation to be in, most definitely not one that everyone enjoys to be in. When someone says "Oh, sh*t, jia lat!" It is usually used in tandem with a corresponding forgetfulness, and in saying so, the problem requires immediate attention to rectify it.
It usually comes with an appropriate sinking feeling as well. Like when you know that you know you have not done something that you should have done. Kind of like leaving the house with the gas stove still on. It's a real "Jia Lat" feeling. :)
It's not a good situation to be in, most definitely not one that everyone enjoys to be in. When someone says "Oh, sh*t, jia lat!" It is usually used in tandem with a corresponding forgetfulness, and in saying so, the problem requires immediate attention to rectify it.
It usually comes with an appropriate sinking feeling as well. Like when you know that you know you have not done something that you should have done. Kind of like leaving the house with the gas stove still on. It's a real "Jia Lat" feeling. :)
"Global Talent" (GT)
There seems to be a new terminology for foreigners in Singapore. It's a much better and nicer sounding term. "Global Talent" to reflect the smallness of the world as a global village, and at the same time, to further define the term foreign talent and in a sense to differentiate it from its diluted form.
Global Talent now refers to any kind of talent, and not just the blue collar types that come into Singapore as manual laborers or low-skilled to unskilled workers. It could refer to white-collar executive types that are highly mobile, and have transferrable skills that can value-add to any organization that hires them. The key word here is the intangible perceived value-add.
Whether that indeed becomes a successful differentiation or not will depend on the myriad headhunting professionals here trying to re-carve the niche for foreign talent. Singapore needs foreign talent in order to maintain its global competitiveness. It just needs a little more heart in redefining itself. Oh well. I like the new term anyway. ;)
Global Talent now refers to any kind of talent, and not just the blue collar types that come into Singapore as manual laborers or low-skilled to unskilled workers. It could refer to white-collar executive types that are highly mobile, and have transferrable skills that can value-add to any organization that hires them. The key word here is the intangible perceived value-add.
Whether that indeed becomes a successful differentiation or not will depend on the myriad headhunting professionals here trying to re-carve the niche for foreign talent. Singapore needs foreign talent in order to maintain its global competitiveness. It just needs a little more heart in redefining itself. Oh well. I like the new term anyway. ;)
Tuesday, 11 December 2012
"Hao Lian" (HL)
The term "Hao Lian" refers to someone who is typically arrogant or generally aloof in personality and character. This person is also not well liked by friends or peers, and people who may know them would avoid any kind of interaction with them simply because it could potentially be quite stifling.
"Hao Lian" is a Hokkien term used by the locals in relation to someone with an attitude problem. That attitude problem is usually real and the person that has the problem usually think they are not being "hao lian".
In recent years the term "Hao Lian" has been used in a mild sarcastic manner as if to insinuate that a certain person is arrogant but most of the time in a joking manner. This in a sense has somewhat diluted the implications and the usage of the term.
"Hao Lian" is a Hokkien term used by the locals in relation to someone with an attitude problem. That attitude problem is usually real and the person that has the problem usually think they are not being "hao lian".
In recent years the term "Hao Lian" has been used in a mild sarcastic manner as if to insinuate that a certain person is arrogant but most of the time in a joking manner. This in a sense has somewhat diluted the implications and the usage of the term.
Wednesday, 5 December 2012
"Chin Jia Cham" (CJC)
When I was younger, the neighborhood gossipy auntie would go around all the non-working mothers and gather them together for their regular chit-chat sessions. Unfortunately, there will always be one or two non-working mothers that would be left out of the picture, and for good reason too. At least according to the gossipy auntie.
She would make special effort to ensure that the person that she is gossiping about was never present, and the way she went about it was prove of her tenacity as the neighborhood gossip. So in this one occasion I wandered into one of their secret sessions and there they were, all crowded around the stone table by the void deck, yakking away at the juicy details.
Of course I could not understand what the adults were saying then, and the only words that I could hear was "Chin Jia Cham". Apparently, from the little I could decipher from her heavily accented Hokkien, she was referring to a so-and-so non-working mother who obviously was not invited to the gathering, that her husband was caught for some drug-related offenses, and as a result, the family finances became an issue as her estranged husband was incarcerated.
"Chin Jia Cham" is a local slang or expression to refer to someone or a family who are suffering as a result of a direct consequence of another person's action or some circumstances. There is typically a lot of human drama involved, and sometimes, the usage of the term may be overtly exaggerated for effect. "Chin Jia Cham" or in our Singaporean way of explaining it, means "very cham" the nearest English equivalent expression would be "terribly miserable".
She would make special effort to ensure that the person that she is gossiping about was never present, and the way she went about it was prove of her tenacity as the neighborhood gossip. So in this one occasion I wandered into one of their secret sessions and there they were, all crowded around the stone table by the void deck, yakking away at the juicy details.
Of course I could not understand what the adults were saying then, and the only words that I could hear was "Chin Jia Cham". Apparently, from the little I could decipher from her heavily accented Hokkien, she was referring to a so-and-so non-working mother who obviously was not invited to the gathering, that her husband was caught for some drug-related offenses, and as a result, the family finances became an issue as her estranged husband was incarcerated.
"Chin Jia Cham" is a local slang or expression to refer to someone or a family who are suffering as a result of a direct consequence of another person's action or some circumstances. There is typically a lot of human drama involved, and sometimes, the usage of the term may be overtly exaggerated for effect. "Chin Jia Cham" or in our Singaporean way of explaining it, means "very cham" the nearest English equivalent expression would be "terribly miserable".
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