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:
calafare callafair
calefare
/ˈkɛlɛfɛː/, [-fɛː˦], [-fɛː(˦˧)]
→
Cantonese:
茄哩啡
jyutping:
ke4/ke1 le1 fe1
Detailed etymology
definitions
noun
- (acting) an extra; a background actor or player with a minor role
- (fig.) a supernumerary or redundant person who is hanging or idling about when they are not needed; a person there for no apparent reason or with no actual purpose
Mediacorp calefare jailed for taking photo of actor in toilet & posting in chat, writing 'who want see his k* k* j***'
— 2023 June 23, Fiona Tan. Mothership.sg. https://mothership.sg/2023/06/man-take-actor-urinating-photo/
- If she's the only one presenting, then why got the other three fellas up there with her?
- Bo idea. Just calefares lor.