Five Odd Yet Amusing Pinoy Expressions

While reading some comments on a funny video, the comment “It’s as funny as hell!” was often made. Then I started to wonder: why do we think that hell is such a funny place? 

Then I started thinking about Pinoy expressions that are kind of unusual—but so powerful that it stood the test of time. Even if many generations have passed, we still say, hear, and understand it today.

So here are five of those expressions that I hope I could find the origins of:

1. Anak ng Tokwa!

Whoever invented this expression must be a person of great influence that he/she actually made people believe that a tokwa (tofu) has a child! But wait! There’s more! That child could even be none other than YOU! (Anak KA ng Tokwa!)

Derivatives of this expression also came about, and they too have children (Anak ng Tinapay, Anak ng Pating, Anak ng Kalabasa).

2. Bahala na si Batman!

Nobody knows why. But in times of doubt, in Batman we trust.

3. Kamote!

Here’s another chosen vegetable! (A round of applause please!)

Of all vegetables, the Kamote (sweet potato) was chosen to be an expression which is often used in a bad situation. And it doesn't need an adjective—you can say it on its own!

I remember being terrified at our MAPE teacher in elementary who shouts “Kamote!” to stubborn students whenever she was angry. And there we were, frightened at the sound of the sweet potato.

And whaddyaknow? Sometimes, the kamote has a child too! (Anak ng Kamote!)

4. Leche
In Spanish, leche means milk. So this expression seems harmless since it’s just like saying “Gatas!” or “Kape!” or “Milo!” But this may also have originated from the Spanish insult “Mi Cago en La Leche” which means “I poop in milk.” Eeeeew no?

5. Mabilis pa sa Alas Kwatro

No other time in those 24 hours is faster than 4:00—not even 3:00.