Filipino English: “Double dead”
Quezon City police director Chief Superintendent Benjardi Mantele gestures as he presents some of the confiscated ‘double dead’ meat during a press briefing at Camp Karingal yesterday. BOY SANTOS. Philstar, 22 Sept 2010.
Continuing our discussion of how we have adapted the English language to suit our requirements:
“Double dead”. Diseased deceased livestock butchered and sold as fresh meat. (They only die twice.)
“Holdupper”. Someone who commits a holdup/armed robbery.
“Carnapper.” Someone who steals a car.
“I’ll tell you to the teacher.” Literal translation of “Isusumbong kita sa teacher.”
“Standby” or Istambay. One who stands around doing nothing; a bum. Derived from “on standby”—waiting to be deployed.
“You stop that or I’ll throw you this!” Yaya scolding her charge at the supermarket.
I remembered our favorite commentator on language, William Safire. I googled him. He died a year ago on September 27.
Answers to questions you might be asking, unless you wandered onto this site purely by accident >>>
September 24th, 2010 at 02:19
Presidentiable, senatoriable, winnability. Kina-career, nag level up na, carry niya, God bless.
September 25th, 2010 at 02:23
which isn’t a bad thing in itself. Shakespeare invented words too. australians say “arvo” instead of “afternoon” , americans sa “radio” instead of “wireless” the latter of which the brits prefer.
September 25th, 2010 at 12:38
i’ve been reading your books, columns and blog for a long time, and this is the first time that i felt absolutely COMPELLED to comment.
for a while (sandali lang), please hold your line, thanks god, and my all-time favorite–
GOOD NOON (magandang tanghali).