"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.

"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.