Ting Tong Tiang (Penang Hokkien Ditty)

[an error occurred while processing this directive] Ting1 Tong3 Tiang1 is a Penang Hokkien ditty that is similar to the English eeny, meeny, miny moe. It is often used by children to point out someone among them who has just broken wind.

As with "Baa, Baa, Black Sheep" and many other English nursery rhymes, Ting1 Tong3 Tiang1 continues on to describe the "lifestyle" of a hobo who spends his days wandering the back alley, picking up cigaratte stubs, lying on the open field, and eating whatever he managed to get hold.

Listen to the video recording of the ditty and following the accompanying text.



Ting1 Tong3 Tiang1,
Cui3-cui3 ciak3 pa4 pang1 phooi3 chau1 hiam3-hiam1,
Ciak3 si1 kay1 boh3 liam1 tor3,
Ciak3 si1 niau1chhu4 boh3 cheng3 khor3.
Chuan1 knia2 au3boay11 lor3,
Chuan1 khiok1 snar3-leh3 goh3;
Chhuan1 khoon1 khoon1 chau1por1.

Translation
How gave a smelly fart after eating?
Ate a dead chicken without removing the intestines
Ate a dead mouse without wearing pants
Tired of wandering through the back alley
Picked up a 555 (State Express cigarette)
Tired, lay in the open field.

[an error occurred while processing this directive]