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:
police and thieves police & thief police & thieves
police and thief
→
English:
police
+
and
+
thief
Detailed etymology
definitions
noun
- a children's playground game where one team (the 'police') attempts to catch members of an opposing team (the 'thieves'), and bring them to a designated area in the playing field known as the 'jail'. 'Thieves' who are caught must follow the 'police' and stay inside the 'jail'. However, uncaught 'thieves' can attempt to break them out by touching them, while the 'police' simultaneously try to stop them from doing so. The objective for the 'police' is to place every 'thief' in the 'jail', while the 'thieves' attempt to avoid this until time runs out.
Variations of these rules may include the 'thieves' having their own base, with the objective being to steal all items from another location and bring them back to their base without being caught. It was likely derived from the Western game cops and robbers (or its variants).
Liang Wei couldn't decide what sport she loved best and wanted to focus on. So she did them all, and she represented Fuchun Primary School in athletics, badminton, basketball and table tennis. Then a game of tag — or "police and thief" as it's popularly known here — helped her make her mind up.
— 2009 June 24, Low Lin Fhoong. Today, "It all started with a game of tag ...". p.47