Sotong
Literally a squid, but when you call someone this, you’re saying they’re blur like sotong. It’s for that friend who always stands in front of the MRT door while people are trying to exit, or forgets where they put their phone while it’s in their hand.
Origin
Literal translation: "Squid"
Borrowed from the Malay word for squid or cuttlefish, likely evolving because the animal releases an ink cloud when threatened, leaving it confused and invisible in the water.
Usage Examples
"Aiyo, you still ask me where my phone is when it's literally in your hand, sotong ah?"
"Eh bro, don’t stand there like sotong at the MRT door can? People want to get out leh."
"I key in the password three times already, still wrong — so sotong today sia."
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Related Words
blur
When someone is 'blur', they’re basically walking through life with the lights on but nobody’s home. It doesn't mean they're stupid, just that they’re completely oblivious to what’s happening in front of them or totally out of sync with the situation at hand.
blur like sotong
Describes someone who is completely clueless, slow on the uptake, or looking totally lost in a situation. It’s that exact look someone has when they’ve been told the same thing five times and the information still hasn't landed.
blur sotong
This refers to someone who is hopelessly clueless, drifting through life like a squid in murky water. If your friend is constantly looking for glasses that are sitting on their own head, or misses the obvious punchline every single time, they are a total blur sotong.
goondu
The go-to label for someone who is being a bit of a blur sotong or just plain dim-witted. It’s what you call your friend when they walk into a glass door or forget their own birthday, usually delivered with a mix of exasperation and affection.
suaku
The ultimate label for someone who is completely out of the loop and acts like they just stepped off a mountain into the city for the first time. It's that friend who has never heard of a basic local hack or looks at a simple hawker menu with pure, wide-eyed confusion.