Local Terminology Used in Penang
Go BackI put together this list of local terminology from a request sent to me asking me to explain some of the common words used in everyday English over here. Many of this seep into English from the vernacular dialects. So here's a short list that will grow over time:
- Catch No Ball
Unable to understand or follow the thread of the conversation, to be confused. - Go-stun
Verb, to reverse. A corruption of "to go astern", it is often used in conversation for backing out a vehicle. - Food Court
Indoor eatery located within air-conditioned shopping mall with individual stalls and usually a centralized beverage seller. The stalls could be privately owned or all belonging to the Food Court management. - Go-stun
Verb, to reverse. A corruption of "go astern", it is often used for backing out a vehicle. - Hawker Centre
Outdoor eatery with individual stalls, each selling a particular or a small selection of dishes. Except in very big hawker centres, no two stalls sell the same dish. Hawker centres are operated by the beverage seller. - Night Market
Popularly called by the local name, Pasar Malam. This is a congregation of street vendors that take place once a week at a different, usually residential, neighbourhood. Items sold range from clothing to household utensils as well as readily-prepared food. Fresh food, as those sold in wet markets, are occasionally found, but not usual. - Penang Hill Caught Fire
Just got a hair cut. - Syiok
Enjoyable, entertaining, fun. - Wet Market: Market where fresh produce are sold in a non-airconditioned market building. The name comes about as the floor is usually wet and slippery.
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