redirected from
ah beng
Commonly found variants; note these may range from acceptable alternatives to
non-standard forms or incorrect spellings*.
* Singlish is a largely spoken creole, and as such descriptivism (recording forms that reflect actual pronunciation in spoken language, or as appearing in the linguistic corpus) is more pertinent than strict prescriptivism. Nevertheless, the use of more standard forms (or for words originating in languages with Latin script, such as Malay, accurate to the original spelling) is recommended and encouraged.
* Singlish is a largely spoken creole, and as such descriptivism (recording forms that reflect actual pronunciation in spoken language, or as appearing in the linguistic corpus) is more pertinent than strict prescriptivism. Nevertheless, the use of more standard forms (or for words originating in languages with Latin script, such as Malay, accurate to the original spelling) is recommended and encouraged.
also can:
ahbeng
Ah Beng
→
Hokkien:
阿明
poj:
a-bêng
Detailed etymology
definitions
noun
- (derogatory) a young Chinese man, stereotypically uncouth, unrefined, and gangsterlike. The male counterpart of an Ah Lian or Ah Huay. Comes from the stereotypically common male given name 阿明 (a-bêng).
The boys are called Ah Bengs and the girls Ah Lians. I have been warned by friends never to make eye contact with them, never to laugh at their ridiculous clothing combinations (white, skin-tight trousers and vest, black belt and a bright yellow handphone stuck to the hip) and never to get into an argument with them because they are usually armed with knives or, wait for it, parangs.
— 2001, Neil Humphreys. Notes from an Even Smaller Island, p.83
synonyms:
adjective
- having traits associated with an Ah Beng.
synonyms: