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:
sam seng
samseng
→
Hokkien:
三牲
poj:
sam-seng
Detailed etymology
definitions
noun
- gangster; hooligan; ruffian
Samseng roamed the streets stoning pedestrians, bicycles, and hackney carriages.
— 2003, James Francis Warren. Rickshaw Coolie - A People's History of Singapore, 1880-1940. ISBN: 9789971692667. p.107
adjective
- gangster-like; delinquent; uncouth; unrefined