redirected from
otah
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:
otah-otah otak otak otah otah otak otah
otak-otak
→
Malay:
otak-otak
Detailed etymology
definitions
noun
- a dish or snack of a pudding-like spiced paste made from fish (usually mackerel or batang), coconut milk, spices, onions, garlic, egg, and other ingredients, wrapped in a banana or palm leaf and grilled. It usually comes in a spicy and non-spicy version. It has origins in Malay and Peranakan cuisine.
If you are lazy, go for ready-made otak-otak and satay. They're easy to eat, too — you won't even need plates.
— 1999 June 22. The Straits Times, "Get ready for a grilling". p.8
usage notes
Often shortened to simply 'otak' or 'otah', though these are usually proscribed.