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:
tua kow twakow twa kow tuakor tua kor
tuakow
→
Hokkien:
大䑩
poj:
tōa-ko͘
Detailed etymology
definitions
noun
- a wide wooden cargo boat historically used to transport goods along the Singapore River, though usually used to ferry tourists and sightseers in the modern day
Grandpa was working in one of the huge Tua Kow ... He would from time to time bring us to his Tua Kow. While it was fun, it was also frightening. We had to jump from Tua Kow to Tua Kow from the river side. If we fell outside the Tua Kow, it would be into the murky, dirty and foul smelling river. If we fell into the Tua Kow, we were to have broken bones, as what my uncle did.
— 2007 October 30, chinatownboy. bullockcartwater 牛车水, "Singapore River and the Tua Kow". https://bullockcartwater.blogspot.com/2007/10/singapore-river-and-tua-kow.html