From rabak to rabs kebabs: the creative evolution of Singlish

RABAK SIA! This quintessential Singlish phrase is a favourite among Singaporeans, used to describe anything that’s out of control, from work havoc to the scorching weather this month.

If you’re a millennial, you might be more accustomed to using a more concise form, rabs or rabz, in text messages. But have you heard of the newer version of the expression: rabs kebabs?

I certainly had not, until a recent discussion on Singlish trends with millennial and Gen Z colleagues. One of them chided me to “keep up” with the times, while another mused if Singlish was starting to sound more fancy, or as she put it, “de-ah-beng-ised”.