July 3rd, 2005
the uniqueness of Filipinos when it comes to unusual words.
These are the words that are so unique and loaded in meaning that they
will never find a direct translation in the English language. Forget
traditional dictionaries. keep this.
will never find a direct translation in the English language. Forget
traditional dictionaries. keep this.
1. Achuchu (A-chu-chu). This refers to the pointless insincerities being
said during long, involved conversations about nothing at all.
said during long, involved conversations about nothing at all.
2. Ano (A-noh) The all-around, all-purpose word for everything.
(1) Pronoun in interrogation: Ano? (What)
(2) Noun: Where is your ano? (Where is your
father/mother/dead-uncle's-second-cousin)
father/mother/dead-uncle's-second-cousin)
(3) Verb: Anuhin this. (Paint/kill/maim/castrate this.)
(4) Adjective: This is so ano. (This is so pretty/big/astounding.)
(5) Interjection: Ano! (What the hell!)
(6) Substitute for genitalia: Did you ano your ano?
The use of ano is quite dangerous for the untrained ear, and must be put
into the proper setting. "Honey, the ano is too long, we have to cut it,"
must b e accompanied by the proper understanding of the context, as
results may be critical to a couple's future.
into the proper setting. "Honey, the ano is too long, we have to cut it,"
must b e accompanied by the proper understanding of the context, as
results may be critical to a couple's future.
3. Booba (boo-bah). A female blessed with larger than usual mammary
glands,which can be used as weapons of mass destruction.
glands,which can be used as weapons of mass destruction.
4. Checheboreche (Che-che-boh-re-che) Same as achuchu. It is interesting
to ponder on the reason why there are so many words in the Filipino
language that beautifully describe meaningless chatter.
to ponder on the reason why there are so many words in the Filipino
language that beautifully describe meaningless chatter.
5. Epal (Eh-pal). An individual who believes he is God.
6. Gigil (gee-gil). An uncontrollable desire to bite something.
7. Hipon (Hee-pon). Literally "shrimp," whose body is eaten while its head
is thrown away, this refers to a female whose body is to die for and whose
face looks like it belongs to the dead.
is thrown away, this refers to a female whose body is to die for and whose
face looks like it belongs to the dead.
8. Kikay (kee-kay). Refers to individuals who carry a brush, hand wash,
moisturizer, lip-gloss and various other facial enhancements in a case
(aptly called a kikay kit) inside her bag. Recent inspections of various
backpacks have led to the conclusion it is not a purely female trait. This
breed cannot resist checking themselves out on mirrors, glass windows,
bread knives, sidewalk puddles and plastic-covered notebooks.
moisturizer, lip-gloss and various other facial enhancements in a case
(aptly called a kikay kit) inside her bag. Recent inspections of various
backpacks have led to the conclusion it is not a purely female trait. This
breed cannot resist checking themselves out on mirrors, glass windows,
bread knives, sidewalk puddles and plastic-covered notebooks.
9. Kaekekan (Ka-ek-e-kahn) Same as achuchu and chechebureche.
10. Kilig (keel-leg). A rush of excitement due to the actions, presence or
even mention of he whom you see as the future father of your children.
even mention of he whom you see as the future father of your children.
11. Laglag-brip (lag-lag-brip). The female counterpart of laglag-panti
12. Laglag-panti (lag-lag-pan-tee). A man so incredibly hot, so
heart-stoppingly gorgeous and oozing with masculinity that female
underwear (whether worn by males or females) falls to the ground without
effort whatsoever.
heart-stoppingly gorgeous and oozing with masculinity that female
underwear (whether worn by males or females) falls to the ground without
effort whatsoever.
13. Indyanero (In-jan-neh-ro). An individual who fails to appear at an
appointment without prior warning. Not to be confused with individuals who
appear according to Filipino time (approximately 10 minutes before the
meeting is to end)
appointment without prior warning. Not to be confused with individuals who
appear according to Filipino time (approximately 10 minutes before the
meeting is to end)
14. Japorms (Jah-porms). Describes an individual dressed differently from
the usual (typically involves clothes that have been laundered and pant
legs of roughly the same length).
the usual (typically involves clothes that have been laundered and pant
legs of roughly the same length).
15. Lagot (Lah-got) A prophesy of evil things to come.
16. Para(Pah-rah). A term that informs the driver of a jeep to stop and
pause (usually in the middle of the road) as the individual speaking
intends to leave the vehicle. Dangerous for individuals as drivers seem to
believe having one foot in the air is all that is necessary for descent.
pause (usually in the middle of the road) as the individual speaking
intends to leave the vehicle. Dangerous for individuals as drivers seem to
believe having one foot in the air is all that is necessary for descent.
17. Takusa (Ta-kuh-sa). Derived from takot sa asawa (afraid of wife), this
is a term used to describe the silent (very silent) minority of males
married to feminine reincarnations of Hitler.
is a term used to describe the silent (very silent) minority of males
married to feminine reincarnations of Hitler.
18. Torpe (tore-peh). A gentleman who is desperately attracted to a female
yet by some strange compulsion is reduced to a frozen mound of stuttering
male whenever that fe male is near.
yet by some strange compulsion is reduced to a frozen mound of stuttering
male whenever that fe male is near.
Armed with this list and a smile, you will be sure to make the proper
impression not just on your new relations, but on your loved one as well.
impression not just on your new relations, but on your loved one as well.
Now let's practice:
"Honey, when I first saw you, I made laglag brip, and was almost torpe.
When I finally got the nerve to date you, I almost became indyanero,
because I didn't think I had the right japorms. When you're around, I'm
kilig, when you're not, I get gigil. You may think all this is achuchu,
kaekekan, just checheboreche, but in truth, my love, I'm so ano with you."
When I finally got the nerve to date you, I almost became indyanero,
because I didn't think I had the right japorms. When you're around, I'm
kilig, when you're not, I get gigil. You may think all this is achuchu,
kaekekan, just checheboreche, but in truth, my love, I'm so ano with you."
