PETMALU KA BA LODI? WERPA!!!!

These are the latest trending words in social media recently… more viral than any biochemical weapons used in the wars in the Middle East. Let’s look deeply on the etymology of these three viral words:

PETMALU (.pet-ma’-lu): derived from the Filipino word “Malupit” (root word: lupit), meaning “cruel” in the literal sense. The word 'malupit’ can be used as a figure of speech in Filipino, as someone who is very good or proficient with something or with a skill (e.g. Malupit sya mag-gitara; or Si Boss Noel ang pinakamalupit kung ang pauusapan natin ay pagtatanim.). It can also denote appreciation (e.g. Ang lupit ng Peugeot na dala ni Papa Jer.). The form was based on the Jeprox-method of the 70s, putting the last syllable of the word in front of the rest of the other syllables in a word. E.g. Gutom = tomguts, sarap = rapsa, pusoy= soypu.

How to use PETMALU in a sentence: “Si Boss Omar ang pinakaPETMALU sa amin tuwing kami ay nagpupusoy!”

LODI (ləʊ-di): people who are admired and respected. Derived from the word: “idol”, the form of this word was back-masked (reversed spelling). The word can be used both in the literal and figurative sense.

How to use LODI in a sentence: “Ang galing talaga nila Boss Ronnie at Edmar, mga lodi ko sila!” ; or “Ibang klase talaga si Konsi Mario, loding-lodi ang dating!”

WERPA (ʊ·ər-‘pa): derived from the word: “Power”. The etymology of this word originated from the catchphrase “POWER!” used in social media by famed (and notorious) multi-level marketing groups to promote themselves and their earnings online. The form is jeprox in nature (same as PETMALU).

How to use WERPA in a sentence: “WERPApoint ba ang ginamit mo sa presentation kanina?” (the use of this word is the most idiotic, and downright degrading, so please refrain from using it.)

Enjoy reading your Tanglaws!

PP Levi Garcia

Editor-In-Chief

#lifehacking