Not too long ago, while having breakfast at a fastfood restaurant in Chinatown, Singapore, I overheard customers ordering "harsh" brown notwithstanding that hash brown would be served according to the menu. Well, I felt only a slight discomfiture, being mindful that my Hua Yi would, in turn, be very lan (atrocious) to more-inclined speakers.

    Some time after the episode, wonder of wonders, I have come across e-mails employing 'new' words that make Singlish fun to the initiated. They sound kinda cool and their pronunciation are easier on the tongue. For fuller appreciation, try speaking out the following words: 'Harlow' with its 'har', coming across as being more full-bodied and upbeat than "hello" with its dour "her"; and 'Tomolow' looking chic (don't you think so?) with its 'low', of which some people would find it easier to enunciate than the "rrh" in "tomorrow".

    I'll be glad to hear from you on your collection of words that are Beyond Singlish. However, let's keep things beyond the ear-shot of educators, English-police, and children. Meanwhile, I'll understand if you choose to order "harsh" brown the next time.

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