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.

also can:

kong u kong bo

kong wu kong bo

Hokkien:

讲有讲无

poj:

kóng-ū-kóng-bô

expand for details Detailed etymology

definitions

verb

  1. to speak vaguely, unclearly, and in nonsensical circles; to keep contradicting oneself; to be ridiculous, argumentative, and difficult; to beat around the bush
  2. knn kong wu kong bo but didn't address why is there no chair for the mak cik

    — 2022 April 21, daryl76. Hardwarezone, "SafeEntry makcik seen at Pasir Ris hawker centre with no chair 'not required to stand all day': NEA". https://forums.hardwarezone.com.sg/threads/safeentry-makcik-seen-at-pasir-ris-hawker-centre-with-no-chair-not-required-to-stand-all-day-nea.6735578/page-3

    when passenger don't want pay me/rude/guai lan and kong wu kong bo with me or simply being difficult.only for extreme cases,i will u-turn and put them back at almost the same place where i pick them up.

    — 2011 November 8, since1979. Hardwarezone, "how i handle nonsense commuters". https://buses.sgforums.com/forums/3426/topics/441214/


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