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:
berlapok blapok blapuk
berlapuk
→
Malay / baba malay:
berlapuk / blapok
Detailed etymology
definitions
adverb
- sloppily; unfashionably
You can't go to a formal dinner dressed so blapok.
— Joanna
adjective
- sloppy; tattered; old and unfashionable
- moldy; overgrown with mildew; stale
Then, her job done, she left wishing all and sundry A Merry Chirstmas. It wasn't so merry because my box turned out to be chocolates. Only, they were mouldy and some five million ants were living in the caramel centre of one of them ... Exchanging notes with other recepients later, I found I wasn't the only one with ants in my proverbial stocking. And a blapok Christmas to her from all of us.
— 1980 December 4, Terry Tan. New Nation, "Getting things you don't need". p.25
references:
other credits:
Joanna for the suggestion.