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:
keng ka liau keng kah liao keng kah liau
keng ka liao
简
繁
Detailed etymology
definitions
adjective
- malingering at every opportunity; feigning sickness or injury to no end
- (by extension) constantly trying to shirk work or responsibility
There's this guy in my reservists battalion who everyone calls Mr. Keng Ka Liao. I don't even know his real name, but it can't possibly fit him better than that.
synonyms:
synonyms:
verb
- to malinger at every opportunity; to feign sickness or injury all the way
- (by extension) to entirely shirk work or responsibility, or attempt to do so at every opportunity
Because of his bad hip, Galvin managed to keng ka liao through all of SCS, eventually landing a cushy office role as an S2 spec after he down-PESed.
synonyms: