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:
ah pu neh neh apu neneh apuneneh apunehneh ahpunehneh ahpu nehneh
apu neh neh
Detailed etymology
definitions
noun
- (derogatory, racist, offensive) a racist slur for an Indian person, especially of Tamil or South Indian descent, or a migrant worker from the Indian subcontinent.
- (racist, offensive) a boogeyman
synonyms:
Even now, you can still hear Chinese grandparents asking their grandkids to behave, if not Apu neh neh will catch. I believe that they don't know how sensitive and hurtful it is.
— 2021, Singapore Kindness Movement (quoting Camille Tan-Mahendran). Stories of Kindness: How Singapore came together to battle a pandemic. Marshall Cavendish International Asia Pte Ltd
usage notes
The term is considered extremely offensive and racist, and should not be used.