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:
kebelakang pusing keblakan puseng keblakang pusing ke-belakang pusing
ke belakang pusing
→
Malay:
ke belakang pusing
Detailed etymology
definitions
verb
- (military command, imperative) to turn around 180 degrees on the spot to face the rear; 'about turn'
- to turn around; to reverse direction; to make a U-turn
- to turn tail; to get out of a sticky or awkward situation; to leave hurriedly
- to vacillate; to change one's mind, instructions, directions, etc.
Have you ever attempted a ke-belakang pusing (about-turn) on the move with your feet apart? That day, my knee caps stabbed two soldiers in their kidneys.
— 1985, Michael Chiang. Army Daze. Times Books International. ISBN: 9789971652258. p.65
We saw that siao cha bor Howard dated in Poly at JCube last weekend... We never ke belakang pusing so fast before in our lives.
synonyms:
usage notes
All other senses are derived from the military command.