Filipinoisms

As with many things that we borrow from Westerners, the English language has taken on a unique twist and flavor when spoken here in the Philippines. Although pretty much most of the vocabulary remains the same, we do have our own phrases and expressions that cannot be found elsewhere, often resulting in humorous misunderstandings.

Here are just some that are on the top of my head:

"I'll go ahead"
Instead of saying "See you later" or "Good-bye". Sure you can use it so long as there is something you intend to do after saying it, like say: "I'll go ahead and get myself a cup of coffee", But just saying "I'll go ahead" doesn't feel complete.

Example:
Guy: I'll go ahead!
Friends: Bye!
(Me: You'll go ahead... and then what?)

"Batch"
This is something that really irks me, especially when used in the context of "class", "group", "team". "Batch" is used when referring to things.

On a banner: Batch '99 Reunion
(Me: This must be a reunion of factory products.)

"CR"
Or the "comfort room". Somehow you get the picture of your head of a guidance counselor living in that room giving comfort and advice to disgruntled kids. 'Course what it really means is "restroom", "toilet", "bathroom", "the john".

Girl: I need to go to the CR.
(Me: To the where?)

"Ref"
This means "refrigerator" or "fridge". Do not mistake it for that guy in a ball game.

Guy: Are there cookies in the ref?
(Me: Unless he ate it, that would be weird.)

"Fetching"
You fetch things. But you "pick up" people. You don't throw people for your pet dog to fetch now, do you?

Guy: I'll be fetching my girlfriend.
(Me: Good luck with that.)

"Officemates"
Although we do get that you work with them in the same office, "co-workers" or "colleagues" sound more professional.

Girl: Officemates! You guys wanna go out on a gimik?
(Me: Thanks but no thanks, matey.)

"Come again?"
When you didn't hear something clearly, say "Pardon?" or "What was that again?" instead. For the really perverted minds, this expression takes a whole new meaning.

Girl: Come again?
(Me: Sure, if you're with me.)

"Pushing through or Not pushing through"
A meeting is either still "on" or "cancelled". You don't exactly push a meeting through, er, something.

Memo: Meeting is not pushing through.
(Me: Yep, that's one very heroic effort.)

"Open/Close the light"
We turn the lights either "on" or "off". Another expression lost in translation with "on" and "open" (and the antonyms) using the same word in Filipino.

Guy: Please close the light.
(Me: Say what now?)

"Already"
Often used at the end of sentences to denote that something has been finished, although the context of being finished has already been implied by the rest of the sentence. But it is okay to use it when you want to mean exasperation.

Girl: Have you eaten already?
(Me: Yes, I have eaten, so quit with the "already" already!)

"Tone down"
Unless you're talking about muscles and body toning, you don't tone down the volume of the radio or the TV. You "turn" it up or down.

Guy: Tone down the radio!
(Me: Yes, it's starting to look fat.)

"Go down"
You don't go down on a vehicle. You get off or on it. People get off the cab, they don't go down on it. Also, "go down" has another more sinister meaning. =O

Girl: Driver, I need to go down.
(Me: The lucky bastard!)

"For a while"
Another expression that irks me. When you want to mean that something won't take too long, don't say that it will! "For a few seconds" or "For a minute" is more acceptable.

Boss: Can I talk to you for a while?
(Me: Umm, yeah, how many hours do you need?)

"Look for me"
Again I get your drift. But "asking for someone" instead of "looking for someone" might seem the easier way to do.

Girl: Look for me when you get here.
(Me: Sure no problem. I hope I can ask for you too so I don't have to look around and waste time.)

"Fall in line"
We literally "stand in/on line". Why would you want to fall while waiting?

Sign: Please fall in line.
(Me: Ow...)

"Aircon"
Or as it is known elsewhere, "air-conditioner", "air-conditioning", "AC". We Filipinos love our shortcuts.

Girl: Is the aircon broke?
(Me: Nah, your English is.)

"Connected with a company"
"Working" with a good company is nice. But god forbid that I be connected to them via an umbilical cord or something!

Guy: I'm connected with P&G.
(Me: ooh.)

"Bottomless"
Bottomless coasters defy physics I tell you. But I'm okay with "refillable" ones.

Guy on fastfood counter: Sir, bottomless iced tea?
(Me: Sure, sounds good.)

"Rubber shoes"
I suppose that's what they're made of. But saying "sneakers" is shorter.

Girl: She wears high heels, I wear rubber shoes...
(Me: I think you're singing it wrong.)

"McDo"
Something that is uniquely pinoy! Elsewhere, they call it "McDonalds" or "Mac". (Also, Mc is pronounced "mac" here not "mick").

Girl: Guys, you want to go to McDo?
(Me: Yeah...)



Now I just want to be clear that I have nothing against Filipinoisms. They are unique, quirky, and people here understand them. However, when we Pinoys get ourselves lost in another English-speaking country, we might as well keep a close watch on our tongues or else we'll end up giving weird mental pictures to others.

Photo from topbanana.wordpress.com