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:
tengek
tengik
→
Malay / baba malay:
tengik / tengek
Detailed etymology
definitions
adjective
- (especially of oils or fats) rancid; rotten
I do not want another bottle of Aramis shampoo (I use Fab), a face towel, tengek (rancid) butter cookies, a picture frame in pink shells ... I like gifts given with sincerity ...
— 1980 December 4, Terry Tan. New Nation, "Getting things you don't need". p.25