There is the normal language I have grown up with and learned, Cantonese, which I believe has drastically changed in the last 6 years. There are terms that frequently appear in the vocabulary of those on the online forums and everyday conversations that are basically ruthless in describing people. These terms were developed by those who frequent the discussion forums, and those who are considered trend setters. I will name a few here, as they are what I know from watching online news reports and reading posts on the discussion forums. I will try my best to explain the meaning of those terms, to the best of my abilities/understanding. I am taking the definitions from this website, The Encyclopaedia of Virtual Communities in Hong Kong, and translating them for you.
港女 (gong lui): Originally used by the media as a shortened form of "Hong Kong Girl". But on the discussion forums, there was another meaning, and soon that meaning made its way into everyday life. The online meaning for this word was for girls who live in Hong Kong, whom love themselves, love money, and look down on other people. I would simply sum it up as those with Princess Complex. A majority of girls in Hong Kong show this type of behaviour, so they it was easily generalized. 港男 (gong nam) is the male equivalent.
剩女 (sing lui): Basically girls who are over the age of 30 and are not dating or not married. Usually those categorized under this term are also very well educated, holds a high position job, and earning alot of money. Term also used interchangeably with 中女. In the culture, there is always a pressure to date/get married before the age of 30 because in the past our ancestors (as per around the world) all married in the early 20s, and LATEST by 30. But due to the need of the economy of Hong Kong, what is needed to sustain a normal life, would create what they call 剩女. One can be a 剩女AND 港女 at the same time. 港女 who look down on people, thinking all guys are not suitable for them, can turn into a 剩女.
小學雞 (siu hok gai): This is a more recent 'invention'. First it was meant to describe children in elementary school, as when you look at them from a tall building, look like little chicks running around in the playground. But more recently it received another meaning, which is those who think childishly, immature and constantly goes around to start fights. Alot of people online apply the term to people who are younger than them, and has done something wrong.
豬扒 (ju pa): The original term means pork cutlet, and it is still used in terms of food. But it is also used to describe girls whom are seen as chubbier and who are not considered beautiful. And this term is quite frequently used by everyday people. As soon as the person is not as beautiful as a certain star, there is a very high chance that 豬扒 will be used to describe them.
蝗蟲 (wang chung): The original meaning of the word is locust, as seen in the Bible, and known through general knowledge that they eat everything in sight. A term used by Hong Kong people to describe a part of the Chinese population, those who come from China. It applies to people who are lazy, picky about something that they had no control over, and taking the prize for someone else`s work. Some examples of why this term was used was due to some who immigrate to Hong Kong or give birth to their children in Hong Kong solely for the benefits that the SAR provides. Or when there was the formula problem in China, many people went to Hong Kong to clear the shelves of formula, that are not made in China.
宅男 (jaak nam): Originated from a Japanese drama, and it was used to describe the boys/men who rarely step outside of their house, and have an interesting hobby. Hong Kong took it another step further and it is used to describe men who rarely step outside of their house and also like pornography like things.
𡃁模 (laang mo): A list of criteria establish by the online population, those who are 25 and under, has a sweet image with large eyes, shorter than the average model, and a full bust and promotes mostly as cute or sexy. Basically young girls, who are using their youth as a gimmick, and also using their body as a selling point. Most girls don't fit the super-model criteria, so they are categorized under this term.
小學雞 (siu hok gai): This is a more recent 'invention'. First it was meant to describe children in elementary school, as when you look at them from a tall building, look like little chicks running around in the playground. But more recently it received another meaning, which is those who think childishly, immature and constantly goes around to start fights. Alot of people online apply the term to people who are younger than them, and has done something wrong.
豬扒 (ju pa): The original term means pork cutlet, and it is still used in terms of food. But it is also used to describe girls whom are seen as chubbier and who are not considered beautiful. And this term is quite frequently used by everyday people. As soon as the person is not as beautiful as a certain star, there is a very high chance that 豬扒 will be used to describe them.
蝗蟲 (wang chung): The original meaning of the word is locust, as seen in the Bible, and known through general knowledge that they eat everything in sight. A term used by Hong Kong people to describe a part of the Chinese population, those who come from China. It applies to people who are lazy, picky about something that they had no control over, and taking the prize for someone else`s work. Some examples of why this term was used was due to some who immigrate to Hong Kong or give birth to their children in Hong Kong solely for the benefits that the SAR provides. Or when there was the formula problem in China, many people went to Hong Kong to clear the shelves of formula, that are not made in China.
宅男 (jaak nam): Originated from a Japanese drama, and it was used to describe the boys/men who rarely step outside of their house, and have an interesting hobby. Hong Kong took it another step further and it is used to describe men who rarely step outside of their house and also like pornography like things.
𡃁模 (laang mo): A list of criteria establish by the online population, those who are 25 and under, has a sweet image with large eyes, shorter than the average model, and a full bust and promotes mostly as cute or sexy. Basically young girls, who are using their youth as a gimmick, and also using their body as a selling point. Most girls don't fit the super-model criteria, so they are categorized under this term.
The above are just a few terms I know, and it's just the tip of the iceberg. What is my view on these terms? I feel they are degrading, and just segregating the population of Hong Kong. All around the world I am pretty sure all these people exist in one form or another, but only in Hong Kong would there be terms attached to the special characteristics. Not everybody in the world is as beautiful as Hollywood stars, but is there a need to attach a name to 'make fun' of them? I don't think so. Mostly the terms above are used in a negative connotation, in means to put people down. I believe Hong Kong people just have nothing better to do, and they are judging other people when they should really focus on their own lives. Hong Kong is a small city, where I can see how these mindsets can easily be spread to the entire population. There are many people who use these terms almost on a daily basis, but when it is used to describe themselves, they feel offended. There is no need to categorize people, and label people.
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