Saturday, March 20, 2010

Examples of Composite Slang (non taboo)

Following non taboo composite slangs have two or more words combined and used together. Their specific meaning is expressed only when the combination of words used together. Individual words might not have any associated meaning with composite slang.


Ae Ae Banisata Ae Ae Keselgedi - Literally 'particular Buns (that taste better or go with) with particular Bananas', means providing a problematic situation with a very suitable solution (even temporary).
Aachchita Haal Garanna (ආච්චිට හාල් ගරන්න) - Expresses anger or unpleasant surprise. This is an expression which is actually 'avoidance' or euphemism for much stronger swear.
Baaldiyak Peralanawa (බාල්දියක් පෙරලනවා) - Literally 'to roll a bucket'. Refers to 'picking a fight' or 'act in an angry manner or shout about'
Duka Tamai (දුක තමයි) - Means 'it is going to be painful/exhausting/messy/problematic etc'. Although comparatively less common, Duka Thamai Ranjanee (දුක තමයි රංජනී) is used in similar contexts. Ane Manda Sarath (අනේ මන්දා සරත්) is a slang which has same origins as Duka Tamai Ranjanee. Ane Manda Sarath is used in situations where one would say 'I don't know!'. Note that 'Ranjanee' and 'Sarath' are common female and male names which were popular in 1960s and hence very common in middle aged population.
Gokkola Peenawa (ගෙ‍ාක්කෙ‍ාල පේනවා) - Literally 'to see young coconut leaves' (which are traditionally used to decorate a funeral). Refers to a situation where impending death is sensed in an eerie manner.
Jalaya Apathe - literally 'waste of water'. Figuratively 'in vain'
Jambu Gahen Wetenawa (ජම්බු ගහෙන් වැටෙනවා) - Euphemism for a girl attaining puberty. There are many other old and well established slang for the same such as Loku Lamayek Wenawa (ලොකු ළමයෙක් වෙනවා), Loku Wenawa (ලොකු වෙනවා), Malwara Wenawa (මල්වර වෙනවා), Geta Wenawa (ගෙට වෙනවා) (Literally 'become house confined' which is rather outdated term, which refers to rather outdated practice of confining a girl strictly indoors for few days, right after her very first menstruation)
Pissu Hedena Sanda! (පිස්සු හැදෙන සඳ!) - Shows surprise literally translates as 'Makes me crazy'.
Peththaka Indan Kahinawa (පැත්තක ඉඳන් කහිනවා) - Literally to 'cough in the sides'. Scornful reference to a third party who is supporting one party in an argument where the third party has no right to get involved. Nayata Kahinawa (ණයට කහිනවා) also has a similar usage.
Sori dot kom (සොරි ඩොට් කොම්) - Spoof reference to a (hypothetical) sorry.com web site, used to refer to a 'sorry' situation. (e.g. Train eka miss unothnam sori dom kom (ටේන් එක මිස් උනොත්නම් සොරි ඩොට් කොම්)). This is becoming popular among IT savvy populace and specially IT students.
Sorry Wenna Ona (සොරි වෙන්න ඕන) - Expressing sympathy or apology in a mocking manner.
Wala Kajja Gahanawa (වල කජ්ජ ගහනවා) - Literal reference to an ancient Sri Lankan game played with cashew nuts. Means 'to die' (same as 'kick the bucket')