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:
mamak shop
mama shop
→
Tamil:
மாமா
māmā
+
English:
shop
Detailed etymology
definitions
noun
- a small, local sundry or general goods stall, usually owned and operated by one stallholder, and located in a HDB estate or in the void deck of a HDB block
Childhood snacks can transport you back to a simpler time when winning the most number of goli (marbles) made you the happiest and most popular kid on the block. Those were the days when going to the mamak shop was like entering the wonderful world of Willy Wonka.
— 2012 June 29. Today, "THE FUN OLD DAYS". p.7
Although he was not as smooth as his veteran colleagues, Singh's comedic efforts as the Indian husband-and-wife owners of a mamak shop, Ali and Jeya, were earnest enough.
— 2010 November 29, Mayo Martin. Today, "One size fits all". p.52
usage notes
Often confused with mamak stall, though the two are usually held to refer to different types of establishments.