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:
kar pager ka pager khar pager kah pager
kha pager
→
Hokkien:
敲
poj:
khà
+
English:
pager
Detailed etymology
definitions
verb
- (dated) to page; to contact or leave a message by pager (or some other telecommunications device)
It is true. The handphone companies are getting Singaporeans to talk.
And what are they saying on their handphones?
... "Allo, who kah pager?"
— 1997 March 12, Edwin Yeo. The New Paper, "Hasta la vista, cinema pests". p.31
usage notes
Now considered dated due to the rarity and limited use of pagers in the modern day. However, it is sometimes still used by extension e.g. in the context of receiving a message from somebody asking to call them back.