We invited Colin Goh, founder of www.talkingcock.com (who’s also editing the upcoming second edition of the Coxford Singlish Dictionary), to share three essential Singlish terms for this patriotic month:

Nuah (noo-ah) From the Hokkien word for ‘limp’ or ‘soft’: to laze about, goof off and not do anything productive.
Example of usage: ‘Go Marina and see the fireworks?’ ‘Do’ wan, lah. I just want to stay home and nuah.’

Small air Literal translation of the Mandarin term ‘xiao qi’, meaning petty and unduly sensitive.
Example of usage: ‘Why you go and write on your blog that Ah Seng’s NDP costume make him look like cartoon? He so small air, skarly go and sue you for defamation, then you know!’

You ask me, I ask who? An irritated response to someone pestering you with a question you are obviously in no position to answer.
Example of usage: ‘How come they all say economy going down, costs going up, income gap so high, yet can spend so much money on National Day celebrations?’ ‘You ask me, I ask who?’