By Danice Abril
Photos from Al Gentrix and Sirch Toffee
Millennials seem to have their own special language. Lit, savage, fam—these are all trending expressions that the current English-speaking millennial world uses. Filipinos are no different. Suddenly, a multitude of memes and graphics with the same odd local terms are flooding everyone’s social media timelines. What do “pak ganern” or “don’t me” even mean anyway? We compiled a short little list for those of you living under a rock. The change in the millennial vocabulary is definitely coming.
- Pak Ganern
Origin: Although there’s no definite origin just yet, Felipe Jocano, anthropologist and professor from UP-Diliman, revealed that pak could possibly come from tumpak while ganern springs from ganon.
How to Use: This term is so versatile that you can use it with just about any way you want to. The meaning of it would truly rely on the context. You may use it at the end of an announcement you’re proud of or you could use it as a reaction to an announcement said to you.
Examples: It could be as simple as “Rinampa ko yung bago kong damit, pak ganern!” or as creative as #ReplaceMovieTitlewithPakGanern that trended just a week ago where the following creations were spread on Facebook:
2. Beh
Origin: One from gay lingo (thank you), beh is the Pinoy version of bae, babe, or baby. Originally used to strictly refer to significant others but now we just use it with just about anyone.
How to Use: Very straightforward, just how you would call your baby. You simply replace all those terms of endearment with beh. You can even use it to call your friends or acquaintances. The possibilities are limitless.
Examples: “Hi beh, kumain ka na?”
“Ay beh, may chika ako!”
“Gorrabells lang, beh.”
3. Don’t Me
Origin: This phrase is slowly making its way to millennial dictionaries as a newbie in Filipino Internet slang. It’s basically a direct English translation of huwag ako.
How to Use: Whenever someone is trying to fool you or make fun of you in a way, you can use this as a response to show that you just aren’t the type of person to be messed with.
Example: “Grabe, I’m so nervous. Sinko ata grade ko sa Accounting.”
“Anong sinko? Babad ka nga sa aral eh. Hay nako, don’t me ah!”