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:
hentak-kaki
hentak kaki
→
Malay:
hentak
+
kaki
Detailed etymology
definitions
verb
- (military command, imperative) to march on the spot
- (military) to march on the spot
- (metaphor) to have no prospects of promotion; to be stuck in one's role, unable to advance one's career
We were forced to hentak kaki on the parade square until the perpetrator who tried to sneak out of camp the previous night confessed.
my friend sign a 5 year bond, hentak kaki 3SG the entire 5 years due to a mix of injury affecting IPPT, some very minor disciplinary records due to in-house politik-ing, and lots of sheer bad luck ... signed as 3SG, got out as 3SG lol.
— 2021 October 22, u/Battleraizer. Reddit, "Worst hentak kaki you've seen". https://www.reddit.com/r/NationalServiceSG/comments/qdairi/worst_hentak_kaki_youve_seen/. acc 2024 August 9
synonyms:
adjective
- (metaphor) having no prospects of career advancement or promotion; having a stagnant career
synonyms: