Till today I’m sure most of you still remember the stupid things that you used to do as a child. But growing up in Singapore, many of us have picked up all sorts of funny Singlish phrases in school or at the playground hor?
So today, we will take you down memory lane to some of the ridiculous and funny Singlish phrases you used to say. Something to refresh your memory lah.
1. Neh Neh Ni Poo Poo
You probably recited that in a sing-song manner in your head.
Remember those good ol’ days when you played catching with your friends at the playground? This was one of those annoying-as-hell taunting tunes that ignited your determination to catch that person so you can provoke him instead.
Meaning: A tune to annoy people by expressing happiness over other people’s unfavourable situation.
How did you use it?: “Neh neh ni poo poo~ You cannot catch me~”
2. Orbi quek / Orbi good
It’s a must to flap your arms like a duck when you gloat at someone else’s misfortune to maximise the impact of the insult.
Meaning: “Serves you right.”
How did you use it: To laugh at other’s misfortune. “See lah, always so proud of her results. Now she fail her test, orbigood!”
3. Stylo Milo
When you see someone looking like this.
Meaning: Someone lookin’ stylish (stylo) and good.
How did you use it?: “Wah, Justin Bieber so Stylo Milo leh, I want to be like him when I grow up.”
4. Abuden
Many a times, we meet people who just like to ask stupid questions and say obvious.
But with Singlish, there’s always and appropriate, effective response for every situation.
Meaning: Short form of “Ah, but then?”, meaning “Isn’t that obvious?” or “Duhhhhh!”
How did you use it:
Xiao Ming: “Your pencil case got pencil anot?”
Xiao Li:
Xiao Ming: “Can borrow?”
Xiao Li:
5. Copycat, Kiss the rat, Go home let your mother slap
Another sing-song tune that somehow rhymed in a weird way. Nonetheless, you still enjoy reciting it whenever the opportunity arises just because it was super catchy and annoying.
Meaning: Copycat is a person that copies the things that you do. A tune to poke fun at the person who is copying you.
How did you use it:
During recess:
Xiao Ming: I feel like eating chicken rice
Xiao Li: Eh I also!
Xiao Ming: Walao, copycat, kiss the rat, go home let your mother slap!
Xiao Li: You copy me first hor!
6. Itchy backside
We all have this friend who seem like they could have ADHD because they just simply can’t sit still, so they start doing things to entertain themselves.
And most of the time, you can imagine that it doesn’t end as planned.
But they still do it anyway.
Meaning: To describe a person who does something stupid/pointless out of boredom.
How did you use it: “This Xiao Ming very itchy backside, he tried to do a handstand on the teacher’s table then he fell and broke his arm!”
7. Chicken Feed
When something is too easy for you.
Meaning: Something that is too easy for your standards.
How did you use it:
Xiao Li: “Eh how was the Math test?”
Xiao Ming: “Chicken feed lah!”
8. Don’t friend you liao!
This is my personal favourite because of how funny and childish it sounds.
Those were the days where it was an effective threat for your friends when they did something that you didn’t like. Ahhh…don’t you wish you could still say this IRL without getting judged.
Meaning: “I don’t want to be your friend anymore if you continue to do that.”
How did you use it: “You know I hate Xiao Ming but you talked to him, I don’t friend you liao!!”
If you remember using all of these in your childhood, I would like to declare that you, my friend, are a true blue Singaporean.
Do you still remember other Singlish phrases you used to say?
