Pictionary goes Singlish
500 new words and terms that only true-blue locals would know -- that's what you can expect from the Singapore edition of popular board game Pictionary, when it goes on sale here. The additions came as part of an online experiment from Mattel, who asked netizens to suggest their "uniquely Singapore" words to be included in the Singapore pack.
Some doozies we spotted includes "ahbuthen," "ORD" (something all national servicemen would be familiar with), "kiasu," "Zouk" and our favorite fictional contractor, "Phua Chu Kang." And of course, the quintessential Singlish term "lah."
Speaking with Channel NewsAsia, Kenny Lim from Mattel Southeast Asia, said the Singapore version included "things like 'Ah Meng,' things very related to Singapore. The word 'lah' and definitely the word 'fine' -- you can't escape from that, people relate the word 'fine' to Singapore. So, those are some of the key words that have been included and were more popular."
If you're not familiar with or from Singapore, we don't suggest anyone try the game -- it's going to be a challenge even for born-and-bred locals to sketch out some of the terms. But then, bad drawings and wild guesses are half the fun in Pictionary.
The Pictionary Singapore Edition is a limited edition collectors’ set with only 5,500 units produced. Each set comes with its own numbered certificate of authenticity which also features the names of those who had contributed to the game. It's available now at most departmental stores and bookstores.
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