Anything Like "see Ya Later Alligator" In Thai?

[Wizzard of Oz]

Does anyone know how to say something like these in thai:

"See ya later alligator"

"cheers, big ears"

You can't say them word for word obviously, because the funniness is in the rhyme, and I don't even know if there is an equiv in thai.

If a young child says this, you don't expect it from them and often brings a smile from the listener ;~)

Similarly, if a thai person whose english is not awesome says it, it has the same effect.

I'm wondering if there is anything in thai that would elicit the same response if a falang said it?

[Rikker]

Maybe ชีโดค chii dook, a Thai spoonerism of โชคดี chook dii "good luck"? The first consonants stay the same, but the rest of the word (including tone) is reversed. So the tones on "chii dook" are mid-tone, falling tone. A kind of silly/humorous way to say goodbye...

[stateman]

Does anyone know how to say something like these in thai:

"See ya later alligator"

"cheers, big ears"

You can't say them word for word obviously, because the funniness is in the rhyme, and I don't even know if there is an equiv in thai.

If a young child says this, you don't expect it from them and often brings a smile from the listener ;~)

Similarly, if a thai person whose english is not awesome says it, it has the same effect.

I'm wondering if there is anything in thai that would elicit the same response if a falang said it?

Thais don't have the phrase you are looking for.

Someone will have to make one up.

[mangkorn]

But, statemen, he's not looking for one specific phrase or translation. Rather some examples of the ways that Thais play around with Thai words. Surely, there must be several, no?

[sleepyjohn]

But, statemen, he's not looking for one specific phrase or translation. Rather some examples of the ways that Thais play around with Thai words. Surely, there must be several, no?

That would imply the existence of a sense of humour here.

[Wizzard of Oz]

But, statemen, he's not looking for one specific phrase or translation. Rather some examples of the ways that Thais play around with Thai words. Surely, there must be several, no?

That would imply the existence of a sense of humour here.

They have a sense of humour here, it's just not the same as in western countries. I think it's a little more simple here, such as slapstick being popular. I suspect that one-liners that I am looking for would go over well. Would be nice to find some tho, since it feels so nice to make someone smile

[stateman]

But, statemen, he's not looking for one specific phrase or translation. Rather some examples of the ways that Thais play around with Thai words. Surely, there must be several, no?

That would imply the existence of a sense of humour here.

mangkorn is right about the OP, and indeed there are many I heard through the time.

But as sleepyjohn says "That would imply the existence of a sense of humour here."

I happen to not be a good story teller and won't be able to recall any off hand. I know some people who are really good at repeating funny things like that.

Maybe if we leave this thread alive, some with think of something and post here.

[Rikker]

I gave a suggestion in post #2.. anyone have thoughts on that suggestion? Does it perchance inspire other suggestions?

[Rikker]

What do you know, I inspired myself. I've also heard สวีดัส, a spoonerism (คำผวน) of สวัสดี.

[yoot]

I think the OP is looking for something like 'โชคดีสำลีแปะหัว' - Good luck with cotton(or bandage) place on head. It's a saying for good luck in funny way.

[luckywinth]

What I can think of requires two people.

A: ไปไหนมา? (Pai-Nai-Ma) (where have you been?)

B: สามวาสองศอก (Sarm-Wa-Song-Sork) (6 meter and 2 feet (approximately))

Or you can say all that alone as "ไปไหนมาสามวาสองศอก"

[Wizzard of Oz]

I dunno bout spoonerisms ... they are ... well ... not remotely funny (imo)

What I can think of requires two people.

A: ไปไหนมา? (Pai-Nai-Ma) (where have you been?)

B: สามวาสองศอก (Sarm-Wa-Song-Sork) (6 meter and 2 feet (approximately))

Or you can say all that alone as "ไปไหนมาสามวาสองศอก"

I don't get that at all

[Rikker]

โชคดีสำลีแปะหัว is a good suggestion. Meant to be humorously nonsensical. I've heard some others of these, plays on common phrases... เรียบร้อย becomes เรียบร้อยโรงเรียนจีน. I haven't heard this one for โชคดี, but it strikes me that it might be what you're looking for.

As for the humorousness (or lack thereof) of spoonerisms, well, you want it to be funny to a Thai, and moreover, funny to a Thai when spoken by a foreigner. So it's probably worth a try.

Finally, I'm not sure the สามวาสองศอก line is applicable here. It's a line used when someone gives you a total non-sequitur answer to a question, or is otherwise speaking nonsense. It's been explained to me that it comes from a hypothetical story where a man walks past another man carrying his small fishing boat. He greets the man with the typical Thai greeting, "ไปไหนมา" and the man replies "สามวาสองศอก" (6.1 meters). He answers as if the question had been "How long is your boat?" I've often wondered about the precise origin of this saying (a literary allusion, perhaps). Anyone know?

To illustrate: if I asked you ไปไหนมา and you answered สบายดี, saying สามวาสองศอก would be applicable (though I'm not sure if/when it would considered rude). I recall when I had been in Thailand only a few months, a friend asked me something to which I gave what I thought was a good reply. She turned to the friend standing next to her, and they both grinned and said at the same time, สามวาสองศอก. It wasn't until much later that I knew what that meant. So in addition to that, if someone asked you ไปไหนมา, I guess you could say สามวาสองศอก to be funny, but that's not exactly what Wizzard is looking for, I think.

Edited December 26, 2007 by Rikker

[katana]

Maybe kind of similar, saw the following exchange once, said by a Thai in response to someone who had just thanked her for something:

ไม่มีปัญญา เอ๊ยไม่ใช่ ไม่มีปัญหา - I'm stupid...no!..I mean...no problem.

Edited December 26, 2007 by katana

[luckywinth]

Hi Wizzard,

My example has no significant meaning at all. It is just a silly way to asnwer the question like "How are you?".

to Rikker,

I seem to remember that this phrase came from a movie about 10 or 20 years ago. However, i could not tell what exactly the movie was. I brought this phrase up just to match the Wizzard's example "see you later, alligators" becuase there is a synchronize between the sound "??" and "??". well maybe i misunderstood what Wizard wants.

[greenmember]

Does anyone know how to say something like these in thai:

"See ya later alligator"

"cheers, big ears"

You can't say them word for word obviously, because the funniness is in the rhyme, and I don't even know if there is an equiv in thai.

If a young child says this, you don't expect it from them and often brings a smile from the listener ;~)

Similarly, if a thai person whose english is not awesome says it, it has the same effect.

I'm wondering if there is anything in thai that would elicit the same response if a falang said it?

How do you think if I say "Leaw jer khan nah, p deep" (see you, raw ghost)?

[suthnuh]

I've lived/worked in Bangkok, Cholnburi, and Rayong provinces for 7 years and never once heard any of my Thai friends or associates use anything similar to the whimsical "see you later aligator" "after while crocodile" "okey dokey artichokey" type 'goodbyes'. They have a funny way to greet each other which usually uses a form of insult humor like answering the phone "Hello Khun Suay" (hello beautiful) to a woman who is not pretty; or "Hello Poo ying" to a gay man.

Mostly the humor I see in conversation is Thai's with the experience love to play with mixing the languages to be funny. Like on a Friday when leaving the office when they say "Have a nice weekend" if I reply "Gonna go have fun!" they might ask "Fun Thai, or Fun Farang?" The word "fun" in Thai is apparently a colloquial term for sex in some parts of the country.

So, my experience has always been with people who see humor in meanings of words that are used in other languages, but the original question has got me very curious. I'm going to start asking around!

Cheers mates!

C

[Wizzard of Oz]

โชคดีสำลีแปะหัว is a good suggestion. Meant to be humorously nonsensical. I've heard some others of these, plays on common phrases... เรียบร้อย becomes เรียบร้อยโรงเรียนจีน.

I don't understand these. Anyone chime in with the situation to use it and what it means?

Maybe kind of similar, saw the following exchange once, said by a Thai in response to someone who had just thanked her for something:

ไม่มีปัญญา เอ๊ยไม่ใช่ ไม่มีปัญหา - I'm stupid...no!..I mean...no problem.

Yea, I like that one.

How do you think if I say "Leaw jer khan nah, p deep" (see you, raw ghost)?

I don't understand this either

Someone else suggested which which seemed kinda funny:

phop gan mai ... chaat[f] naa[f] {next life}

(is this equally correct?: 'laew jer gan .... chaat-naa' )

[mangkorn]

In most cases, "jer gan mai chaat naa" will not be considered funny. It is very strong, and even if you're joking, it will generally be met with shocked response.

Of course, if it comes in an already convivial, and obviously joking context, it can be very funny, only among intimate friends (in such case, one may sometimes also add "baai-baai," as in: "...and, not until well into the afternoon of the next life..." - which can emphasize the joking nature of it).

But just springing that very notion on someone - even when trying to be witty - will usually be considered offensive and/or hurtful. The finality implicit in that saying is definitely not something to trifle with, not even among people with whom you are on some friendly terms.

Proceed at your own risk.

Edited January 1, 2008 by mangkorn

[meadish_sweetball]

Agree with mangkorn, in my experience most Thais take death very seriously and avoid joking about it. Difficult for me to adjust to as I often joke about death with my Swedish friends, but it's one of these things that don't work in the Thai setting.

Probably has something to do with the belief that you should not mention what you do not want to happen.