Latitudes Magazine online focuses on Southeast Asia. Click on the image above for free access to the site.Posts Tagged ‘witty’
Witty Word #6 – Kayu Manis
Cinnamon is a popular spice from Indonesia. It is mainly cultivated in Java and Sumatra. Cinnamon is used in a variety of sweet and savory dishes. In Bahasa Indonesia, cinnamon is “kayu manis.” “Kayu” is “wood” and [Read More]
Witty Word #5 – Special Pillow
One can find a special type of pillow in Indonesia called a “guling.” In English, the pillow can be translated as “bolster” or “body pillow.” From a language perspective, what is interesting is the Indonesian English version: [Read More]
Witty Word #4 – Putri Malu
Mimosa pudica comes from the Latin term “pudica” meaning shy, bashful or shrinking. The plant is more popularly known as the Sensitive Plant. It is a creeping annual or perennial herb, and in many locations it is considered an invasive weed. The [Read More]
Witty Word #3 – Different Words for Rice
Indonesians have multiple words for “rice.” Unlike American English, Bahasa Indonesia has single words that encompass adjectives for the different stages of rice. Examples follow below. Corrections and additions are most welcome in the comments box. [Read More]
Witty Word #2 – Mata
MATA Mata itself means “eye.” Variations of the term create an interesting play on words. For example… Mata ayam refers to being “near-sighted” in vision. “Mata” is “eye” and “ayam” means [Read More]
Witty Word #1 – Polisi Tidur
POLISI TIDUR Polisi tidur refers to a traffic bump in the road. Traffic bumps (also known as “speed bumps” or “traffic humps”) are typically located on streets where people would like traffic to slow down. For example, traffic bumps are [Read More]
