Words by Cathlyn Mae Botor
Does anyone recall how Pinoy urban slangs actually started? How did jejemon come into the picture years after the urban slang jologs was created? Let’s go back to the old times as we take a look at 10 classic Pinoy slangs!
10. Jeproks
Have you heard of the song lyrics, “laki sa layaw, jeproks”? The song by Mike Hanopol was a hit back then. The term Jeproks pertain to the cool kids. So if you’re one of them, you’re definitely a jeproks.
Mike Hanopol’s trademark song “Laki sa Layaw – Jeproks” (Album photo courtesy of Ivory Records Philippines)
9. Bagets
Opposite to the term “forgets” which refers to old people who get forgetful, bagets or bagito pertains to the young, carefree, and inexperienced. This Pinoy urban slang started from the 80s film Bagets starring the classic Pinoy heartthrobs Aga Muhlach, William Martinez, and Raymond Lauchengco. Now, when we say bagets, it could refer to the Generation Zs.
1984 Youth-oriented Comedy Film “Bagets” (Official Movie Poster; Courtesy of Viva Films and CineMaterial.com)
8. Pare/Parekoy/Mare/Marekoy
What’s your call sign for your friends? Or do you also refer to them as pare/parekoy or mare/marekoy? This famous urban slang has evolved into many other terms like Mars for Mare, Kuys for Kuya, Erp for the shortened and reversed version of Pare as Pre, and Orb/Orbskie or another term for Bro or Brother.
1994 Barkada Iconic Movie “Pare Ko” (Official Movie Poster; Courtesy of pinoypopculture.com)
7. Erpat/Ermat
When referring to someone’s parents, the urban slangs Erpat and Ermat are used. When you have strict parents and you didn’t get their approval to join your friends for a hang-out , that’s when you say, “Sorry pre, badshot ako kila ermat at erpat.”
1984 Comedy Film “Erpat Kong Forgets” (Official Movie Poster; Courtesy of Viva Films)
6. Gimik
It’s Friday and that means, gimik time! It could mean hanging out with your barkada and having an inuman session. Nowadays, people refer to it as just hanging out or partying all night like there’s no tomorrow.
90s Hit Teen Film “Gimik” (Official Movie Poster, Courtesy of entertainment.abs-cbn.com)
5. Chibog
You may have heard this phrase in an old movie: “May machichibog ka ba dyan? TomGuts na ko eh!”
When you’re feeling Tom Jones or TomGuts, it means you’re hungry. And when you’re hungry, you look for something to eat or chibog. Nowadays, chibog is simply our foodtrip!
Photo courtesy of @BeyondDisability from steemit.com
4. Praning
When you feel like nothing right is happening even when, in truth, everything is all right, that’s what you can call feeling praning. Praning can mean something like crazy, sabaw or feeling like you’re floating, dreamy, and weary all at the same time.
Photo courtesy of keepcalmandposters.com
3. Syota
Syota simply means Jowa or the one whom you are in a relationship with. Although, syota is actually short for “short time”, used to refer to short-term relationships. You might recall the famous line of Kim Chiu in the movie Paano na Kaya, where she said, “Bogs, shinota mo ang bespren mo!”
“Help Ayoko Na Sa Syota Ko” Book by Ramon Bautista (Photo courtesy of goodreads.com)
2. Sepanx
If you’ve been feeling nostalgic, senti or homesick for a place or a person, you are definitely feeling sepanx, short for separation anxiety.
Screen grabbed from video made by Guia Karla Gonzales on Vimeo
1. Jologs
If there’s one Pinoy urban slang that has gotten so much attention over the years, it’s none other than the term jologs. The urban slang translates to “baduy” or “bakya” in Filipino. The term is said to actually came from the combination of the words “dilis, tuyo, and itlog” that are famous staple Pinoy food. Now, it has evolved into a new word we’re all familiar with. Jeje or jejemon is said to be the new jologs.
GMA 7’s Magazine show titled Jologs Guide (aired 2005-2006)
ALSO READ: Pinoy Rap Isn’t “Jeje” And We Shouldn’t Be Ashamed to Like It
Now that we’ve listed down some of the Pinoy urban terms, we really can’t deny the fact that they still reflect the uniquely Pinoy culture and humor that we have today. Don’t you agree that the evolution of our culture and language is so interesting?
Do you know any other Pinoy urban slangs aside from these? Share it in the comments section below!
