I read news last month regarding the Chief Minister of the State of Penang Lim Guan Eng who misused the language. He made a comment in Hokkien Hao Siao (bluff). The newsman later explained to him that Siao was rude in Hokkien. He appreciated the newsman and made a correction by using Auta. It meant false in Malay.

I found that was very amusing. I was glad to see Lim Guan Eng who was responsible for his words and admitted his mistake. Great!

Many of us used to speak Mandarin or English by mixing with Chinese dialects or Malay. There were words we heard and spoke that we might not know that some of them were rude in real meaning.

I used to say Hao Siao, Hao Siao when I was young. I thought that meant bluff. One day a friend visited us and was surprised to hear I said that. He asked me not to be rude. But I was not understood why he said so. He then explained to me personally. I hence never use that word anymore.

Last year at an occasion, my friend said Bor Hao Siao Bor Kon in the public. I quickly asked her not to say it. She did not understand and repeated it. I told her that it was very rude especially it was from the mouth of a woman in public.

Although we take Hao Siao as bluff. But Siao in Chinese dialect means "sperm". Using up sperm means masturbation.

There was another word Wah Lao used by many people. Many took it as "oh my goodness". But it was from the word of Wah Lan (Oh Penis).

We had a Walking Up and Down Stairs Competition many years ago. The organiser pasted posters along the stairs to encourage and make fun for the competitors. I saw a poster written "Wah Lao, it is only fifth storey!" I was surprised and asked the organiser to withdraw it.

The word of "Wah Lan" in Teochew and Hokkien is "Oh, Penis!" I did not know its origin. I think it could be happened at the wedding night. Long long ago girls were not as fortunate as the girls nowadays. Our girls now could study in school and they attend the sexuality education in Primary Four (?). The ancient girls had to stay at home and did embroidery. They were not allowed to go out. Before the wedding they may be given a briefing on MAN. At the wedding night, the bridegroom could not wait for even a minute and stripped off immediately. The bride saw the pistol and screamed "Wah Lan" (Oh, Penis!) I imaged that story and it was not the origin of Wah Lan. Please do not spread it. Just remember that not to say "Wah Lao" or "Wah Lan" if you are in Singapore.