Piss in the pot
Please aim and hold
Please aim it in the pot
At nine, I was told
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So aim I did, a putting shot
The wind it blew too bold
I wince and jerk, it bent then jolt
Nine days scold..
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Monthly Archives: February 2011
Tua Snia Bo Choon
(Version in Hokkien)
Tua Snia Bo Choon
Say Snia Bo Oon
Bo Snia 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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About the Proverb/Saying:~
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.
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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Chit Char Peh Char
(Version in Hokkien)
Chit Char Peh Char
Khau Peh Khau Bo
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(Version in English)
Seven Early Eight Early
Cry Father Cry Mother
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About the Proverb/Saying:~
“Seven Early Eight Early” literally means “In the wee hours of the morning” whereas “Cry Father Cry Mother” means “causing disturbances” or “mourning the deceased”. This saying is so commonly retorted back to the news purveyor “not to cause a fuss when the sun just rise”. Traditional Chinese are a superstitious lot and a calm peaceful morning is to them a good sign that the day will turn out good and whenever they hear unpleasant news or ramblings in the morning, it is to them bad luck~ just like having to mourn an unexpected death of a family member when the sun just rose hence the saying. Bill collectors or those who demand for payment in the morning would occasionally also be greeted with this 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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Tim Kum
(1st Version in Hokkien)
Tim Kum, Keh Hoe Ang
Tim Kor, Chuar Hoe Bor.
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(1st Version in English)
Toss tangerines for a good husband
Toss apples for a good wife
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(2nd Version in Hokkien)
Tim Chang Keh Hoe Ang
Tim Chai, Tharn Tiok Hoe Knia Sai
Tim Choe, Ni Ni Hoe
Tim Thor Tau, Chiak Lau Lau
Tim Geng Geng, Ho Buay Keng
Tim Kor, Chuar Hoe Bor
Tim Too, Chuar Chit Leh Ho Sim Pu
Tim Chiok Thau, Khee Um Mor Lau
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(2nd Version in English)
Toss Spring Onions for a good husband
Toss Vegetables for a good son-in-law
Toss Red Dates for a good year ahead
Toss Groundnuts for longevity
Toss Longans for peace and glad tiding
Toss apples for a good wife
Toss Chopsticks for a good daughter-in-law
Toss Stones to receive a swelling on the head!
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(3rd Version in Hokkien)
Tim Choe, Ni Ni Hoe
Tim Thor Tau, Chiak Lau Lau
Tim Geng Geng, Ho Buay Keng
Tim Kin Cheo, Kin Ni Tiok Beh Pio
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(3rd Version in English)
Toss Red Dates for a good year ahead
Toss Groundnuts for longevity
Toss Longans for peace and glad tiding
Toss bananas and you will strike lottery this year!
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About this Rhyme/Saying:~
Chap Goh Meh, literary translated as the ’15th night’ in Hokkien which is the last day of Chinese New Year was a very big affair. It was the only night in the whole calendar year when girls from traditional families get to go out. On that auspicious evening, the unmarried girls would be beautifully coiffured and made-up, decked in their finest of jewellery and transported downtown in horse-drawn carriages (motorcars in later years) inevitably passing by Esplanade or Sungei Pinang, the whole point of it is to be seen and also to ‘tim kum’ ( toss mandarin oranges) into the sea or river to wish for a good husband! Although man generally has more freedom, they too had to behave as gentlemanly as they can and could not approach the girls on their own. If one man likes a certain girl, he will jot down the vehicle number and hint his interest to his parents who would then send ‘investigators’ (matchmakers) to assess the suitability of the prospect. Tim Kor (toss apples) is a man’s obligation if he wishes for a good wife although it is often done discreetly.
On a lighter note, tossing of oranges and apples nowadays became a modern day matchmaking concern. Whereas in those days it was just a wish and like all wishes it might not come true at all, some smart alleck got these younger generations excited by making them toss oranges and apples with their names and contact numbers written on them and then arrange sampans to retrieve those tossed oranges back to the shore to be randomly distributed back to the participating tossers. For those who believe in fate, many a romance is sealed. Others, well they just ran for their lives!
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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Chai Bee Chai Chek Lai Chee Kay
(1st Version in Hokkien)
Eh Lo Kay
Chai Bee Chai Chek, Lai Chee Kay
Chee Kay, Gau Kiow Kare
Chee Kow, Gau Booi Meh
Chee Thow Sneh, Yang Lau Peh
Chee Chow War, Hor Lang Meh..
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(1st Version in English)
Eh Lo Kay
Plants rice, plants paddy, to feed the chickens
Rear a cockerel, it crows at dawn
Rear a dog, it barks at night
Raise a son, he will carry his father
Raise a daughter and you will be scorned!
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(2nd Version in Hokkien)
Eh Lo Kay
Tho Bee Tho Chek, Lai Chee Kay
Chee Chow War, Par Lang Ay
Chee Thow Sneh, Kor Lau Peh.
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(2nd Version in English)
Eh Lo Kay
Beg for rice, beg for paddy, to feed the chickens
Raise a daughter, she belongs to another
Raise a son, he will take care of his father.
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About this ditty:~
This is a traditional ‘Hokkien’ ditty that emphasizes the age old Chinese preference for sons rather than daughters. Sons as they believe can serve as a crutch in one’s old age, whereas a daughter is considered a liability to be given away when the time comes for her to get married! The expression ” Eh Lo Kay” has been described by some to be a swing! (yet to be verified)
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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Ang Ku
(Version in Hokkien)
Chiak Ang Ee
Tharn Chnee
Chiak Ang Ku
Tharn Hnooi Khu
Chiak Ang Tharn
Keh Ho Ang
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(Version in English)
Eating Red Marble
Gain plenty of money
Eating Red Tortoise
Gain a lot of real estate
Eating Red Mussel
Gain a good husband..
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About this Rhyme/Saying:~
“Ang Ku” in the Hokkien lingo is literarily translated to mean “Red Tortoise”. It is a red colored sweet with nutty filling usually included as ritual food in Chinese religious ceremonies. The color red is highly auspicious to the Chinese and the turtle shape signifies longevity and endurance. Although the sweet is generally called Ang Ku, different names are given according to variations in shape, pattern and color. During Mua Guek (confinement period after a women gave birth), the inclusion of Ang Ee (Red Marble) signifies the birth of a new boy whereas if the offspring is a girl, Ang Thoe (Red Peach) would mark the occasion. Ang Tharn (Red Mussel) only appears in the Jade Emperor festival. In inauspicious occasions, the sweet is made in other colors dyed using non-toxic vegetable dyes. This old Hokkien rhyme or ditty associates a specific blessing with each food.
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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Ah Phien
(Version in Hokkien)
Ah Phien Sneh Ti Thor
Choo Liau Kor Kor
Bo Chiak Tiong Hor
Chiak Liau Hor Tor
Bor Knia Im Kor
Chin Chnia Tnui Lor
Heng Kharm Siang Lau Thooi
Part Tor Tua Chiu Kooi
Khar Thooi Tua Chau Mek
Uwa Piak Cheng Khor..
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(Version in English)
Opium comes from the earth
Cooking makes it sticky
Don’t consume it and all is well
Smoke it and you will become reckless
Your wife and children will be neglected
Your relatives will severe all ties with you
Your ribs will resemble a flight of stairs
Your tummy, like a water barrel
Your legs, like grasshoppers
And you will need to lean against the wall to put on your trousers..
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About this Rhyme/Saying:~
Ah Phian is a ‘Hokkien’ word literarily translated to mean ‘Opium’. In the 19th Century, opium-smoking is a widespread vice among the Chinese in Penang. This advisory verse warns us of the dangers of smoking opium. Not only that it wastes the body, it also destroys relationships. This verse is communicated in the deeper idiom of old Hokkien.
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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Teik Gar Ki
(Version in Hokkien)
Teik Gar Ki
Mor Hor Chni
Choe Lang Eh Sim Pu Bart To Li
Um Um Khoon
Char Char Khi
Khi Lai Say Thow, Buak Hoon Tiam Ean Chi
Jip Pang Lai
Siew Chiam Chi
Choot Tuar Tniah
Cheng Tok Ee
Jip Chow Khar
Say Uar Tee
O Lo Hnia
O Lo Tee
O Lo Chin Keh, Chneh Erm
Gow Ka si..
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(Version in English)
Dried bean curd
Sweet flour cakes
A daughter in law must conform to etiquettes
Goes to sleep late
Wakes up early
Wakes up, combs hair, powders face, applies lipstick
In the bedroom
Plies the embroidery needle
Enters the main hall
Dust the furnitures
Enters the kitchen
Washes the bowls and chopsticks
Speaks well of her husband
And her children
Speaks well of her family, her in-laws
For bringing her up so well..
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About this rhyme/ditty/saying:~
Tek Gar Kee is a ‘Hokkien’ word literally translated to mean ‘Dried Bean Curd’. This rhyme/ditty/saying list out the traits expected out from a newly wed bride by her in-laws. If she passes the scrutiny, she will earn praises from the entire family as well as relatives and friends. The traditional underlying view is that a daughter-in-law must carry herself well for her conduct reflects on her biological parents who are responsible for her upbringing.
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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Thau Tua Thau Hong
(Version in Hokkien)
Thau Tua Thau Hong
Partor Tua Phong Hong
Khar Chnooi Tua Chut Hong
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(Version in English)
Big Head, wind in the head
Big Tummy, wind in the tummy
Big Buttocks only farts..
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About this Rhyme/Saying:~
This rhyme/saying pokes fun at those with one or more of these physical attributes. Also used to describe a show off person with no true substance.
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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Huay Sniau Si Bor
(Version in Hokkien)
Huay Sniau Si Bor
Mm Knar Khow
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(Version in English)
When the monk’s wife passed away he dare not cry aloud.
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About the Proverb/Saying:~
Monks are supposedly celibate. This saying is used to describe a dilemma or an unfortunate happening that cannot be publicized or it will bring embarrassment to that individual.
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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