* 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:
yamseng yum seng
yam seng
→
Cantonese:
饮胜
飲勝
jyutping:
jam2 sing3
definitions
noun
- 'cheers!'; 'bottoms up'; phrase said as a toast when drinking
It's a raucous, friendly contest at most wedding dinners, but this time, toasters will be competing to set a Guinness World Record for the longest yam seng cheer ever made.
— 2004 May 5, Choo Ling Lan. Today, "Attempting the world's longest yam seng toast". p.8
Can you holler so well that the cows will come running home? Are you the yam seng king at wedding dinners?
— 2001 April 18, Choo Ling Lan. Today (Afternoon Edition), "Are they the real McCoy?". p.16
synonyms:
usage notes
When making a toast during events, it is a customary tradition for participants to raise their glasses and holler 'Yaaaaam...' for as long as they can (often stretching to several minutes), before completing the toast with a collective, emphatic 'SENG!'.