The Gah! Phenomenon

I've been thinking. Heh.

It has come to my attention that a lot of Malaysian bloggers use the exclamation, "Gah!" when they probably mean to say, "Ptui!" or maybe even, "Cheh!" This is fine, of course. After all, "Gah!" in its written form is quite elegant, and oozes with good 'ol American charm - even if it sounds somewhat pretentious.

However if you use, "Gah!" in your day-to-day conversation with me then I reserve the right to give you a tight slap across the face.

I had a friend who went to Australia for a couple of months. When he returned, he deemed it necessary to rub in our faces, those of us who did not have the good fortune of getting an overseas education. "Feck you, mite," he greeted me upon his return. I countered with a swift kick in his... erm... legumes, if only to restore his roots, "Feck this, whyduncha!"

He blocked the assault, of course, but the result was nonetheless just as effective. "Woi, dun like dat lah you," he spoke like a true Malaysian once again. "I play-play oni mah!"

So do write, "Gah!" if you absolutely must. But occasionally, write also, "Pfeh!" and "Cis Bedebah!" and that wonderful, "Dey!" lest you forget your roots and must be reminded. :)