Thoo Lu

(Version in Hokkien)

Thoo Lu, Thoo Lu

Bey Bi, Uar Hwan Chu

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(Version in English)

Baldy, Baldy

Sell rice in exchange for sweet potatoes.

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About this ditty:~

This is a traditional Hokkien Ditty meant to poke fun at bald people..

The author/owner has compiled for record, a collection of early Hokkien sayings, proverbs, rhymes and ditties to capture the essence and spirit of his hoi polloi, a community originating from the southern province of Fujian, China where individuals climbed aboard bum boats, crossing the South China Sea to settle in faraway lands to escape the brewing civil unrest and a way out from hardship carrying along with them in their journey, nothing except their trademark ponytails and their beliefs, very much rooted in Confucianism. These ditties retell their story and their lifestyle way back then so that the younger generation can gain an insight and foothold to their origin..

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Lam Phar Tua Say Liap

(Version in Hokkien)

Kek Ka Wa Eh Lam Phar

Tua Say Liap.

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(Version in English)

Pressured till my testicles

became uneven in size.

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Its meaning:~

Some folks bring us unwarranted stress through their carelessness, negligence, inactions or stupidity hence the use of this expression when we are pressured, angry or anxious..

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About the Proverb/Saying:~

The author/owner has compiled for record, a collection of early Hokkien sayings, proverbs, rhymes and ditties to capture the essence and spirit of his hoi polloi, a community originating from the southern province of Fujian, China where individuals climbed aboard bum boats, crossing the South China Sea to settle in faraway lands to escape the brewing civil unrest and a way out from hardship carrying along with them in their journey, nothing except their trademark ponytails and their beliefs, very much rooted in Confucianism. These proverbs and sayings has always been a guide and lesson to the many who has never been to school so as to help them steer well in the river of  life and in a way, it seeks to retell their lifestyle way back then so that the younger generation can gain an insight and foothold to their origin..

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Tiam Kow Kar Si Lang

(Version in Hokkien)

Tiam Kow Kar Si Lang

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(Version in English)

A quiet dog can bite.

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Its meaning:~

A person who is quiet can be dangerous.

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About the Proverb/Saying:~

The author/owner has compiled for record, a collection of early Hokkien sayings, proverbs, rhymes and ditties to capture the essence and spirit of his hoi polloi, a community originating from the southern province of Fujian, China where individuals climbed aboard bum boats, crossing the South China Sea to settle in faraway lands to escape the brewing civil unrest and a way out from hardship carrying along with them in their journey, nothing except their trademark ponytails and their beliefs, very much rooted in Confucianism. These proverbs and sayings has always been a guide and lesson to the many who has never been to school so as to help them steer well in the river of  life and in a way, it seeks to retell their lifestyle way back then so that the younger generation can gain an insight and foothold to their origin..

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Cheng Swee Swee

(Version in Hokkien)

Cheng Swee Swee

Pang Nooi Nooi

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(Version in English)

Nicely dressed

Subtly relaxed

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Its meaning:~

Used to describe a person who is smartly dressed up everyday without having much to do. A person who has made it in life.

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About the Proverb/Saying:~

The author/owner has compiled for record, a collection of early Hokkien sayings, proverbs, rhymes and ditties to capture the essence and spirit of his hoi polloi, a community originating from the southern province of Fujian, China where individuals climbed aboard bum boats, crossing the South China Sea to settle in faraway lands to escape the brewing civil unrest and a way out from hardship carrying along with them in their journey, nothing except their trademark ponytails and their beliefs, very much rooted in Confucianism. These proverbs and sayings has always been a guide and lesson to the many who has never been to school so as to help them steer well in the river of  life and in a way, it seeks to retell their lifestyle way back then so that the younger generation can gain an insight and foothold to their origin..

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Chooi Kong Lamphar Song

(Version in Hokkien)

Chooi Kong Lamphar Song

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(Version in English)

What was said only makes the testicles feel good.

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Its meaning:~

A pledge that won’t be fulfilled. Equivalent to “Making Empty Promises”.

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About the Proverb/Saying:~

The author/owner has compiled for record, a collection of early Hokkien sayings, proverbs, rhymes and ditties to capture the essence and spirit of his hoi polloi, a community originating from the southern province of Fujian, China where individuals climbed aboard bum boats, crossing the South China Sea to settle in faraway lands to escape the brewing civil unrest and a way out from hardship carrying along with them in their journey, nothing except their trademark ponytails and their beliefs, very much rooted in Confucianism. These proverbs and sayings has always been a guide and lesson to the many who has never been to school so as to help them steer well in the river of  life and in a way, it seeks to retell their lifestyle way back then so that the younger generation can gain an insight and foothold to their origin..

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Bo Thau Bo Buay

(Version in Hokkien)

Bo Thau Bo Buay

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(Version in English)

No Head No Tail

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Its meaning:~

A gossip or a tale that does not have a beginning and neither an ending and as a result, the listener would not be able to piece the story up altogether. Also used to describe an irresponsible person.

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About the Proverb/Saying:~

The author/owner has compiled for record, a collection of early Hokkien sayings, proverbs, rhymes and ditties to capture the essence and spirit of his hoi polloi, a community originating from the southern province of Fujian, China where individuals climbed aboard bum boats, crossing the South China Sea to settle in faraway lands to escape the brewing civil unrest and a way out from hardship carrying along with them in their journey, nothing except their trademark ponytails and their beliefs, very much rooted in Confucianism. These proverbs and sayings has always been a guide and lesson to the many who has never been to school so as to help them steer well in the river of  life and in a way, it seeks to retell their lifestyle way back then so that the younger generation can gain an insight and foothold to their origin..

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Tua Sniar Bo Choon

(Version in Hokkien)

Tua Sniar Bo Choon

Say Sniar Bo Oon

Bo Sniar Bo Gau Koon

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(Version in English)

Those who talk aloud are more often than not boastful

Those who speak softly are more often than not full of uncertainties

The silent ones are dangerous..

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Its meaning:~

This saying and proverb rhymes so well, it seeks to advice the listener on how to judge people according to the way they talk. That those who talk aloud are generally boastful and quite often, they present distorted inaccurate facts. For those who speak too soft, they are full of uncertainties and therefore, may not give you much confidence at all whereas the quite ones are dangerous.

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About the Proverb/Saying:~

The author/owner has compiled for record, a collection of early Hokkien sayings, proverbs, rhymes and ditties to capture the essence and spirit of his hoi polloi, a community originating from the southern province of Fujian, China where individuals climbed aboard bum boats, crossing the South China Sea to settle in faraway lands to escape the brewing civil unrest and a way out from hardship carrying along with them in their journey, nothing except their trademark ponytails and their beliefs, very much rooted in Confucianism. These proverbs and sayings has always been a guide and lesson to the many who has never been to school so as to help them steer well in the river of  life and in a way, it seeks to retell their lifestyle way back then so that the younger generation can gain an insight and foothold to their origin..

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