Malaysian and Singaporean slang for a thug or gangster — someone who uses intimidation, violence, or street power to get what they want.
Malaysian and Singaporean slang for a thug or gangster — someone who uses intimidation, violence, or street power to get what they want. 'Samseng' is a staple of Malay and Singaporean English and carries a specific cultural weight in the context of Southeast Asian gang culture and street life. It's used in everyday conversation to describe anyone from a low-level bully to an organized crime member.
The whole neighborhood knew the samseng who ran the corner — nobody wanted trouble with him.
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Regional slang from around the English-speaking world — British, Australian, Irish, Caribbean, Nigerian, Filipino, AAVE, and the hyphenated-English dialects that make the internet sound local.
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(Malaysia, Singapore, derogatory) A young Chinese man in Singapore, associated with a stereotype of having little education or sophistication and operating within secret societies and street gangs.
(Singapore, Malaysia, colloquial, informal) A fine; a monetary penalty imposed for breaking the law.
(Singapore, Singlish, derogatory) Someone who is heavily tattooed.
(Singapore, slang) Someone who is always assigned or forced to do unpleasant tasks.
(Malaysia, Singapore) A thug; a gangster.