How To Say: 'make Up (a Saying)'

[Wizzard of Oz]

For example, if someone asks why I say 'crazy late' or 'cheers, big ears' and I want to say 'I made it up

It's like creating it, inventing it, or coining the phrase, which is different to 'make it up' when used to say that someone 'made up' a story for the purpose of deceit or lies.

Anyone actually know the word for this and is sure about it?

[mangkorn]

No doubt several ways to express that, but if in response to a question, perhaps the simplest is: ผมคิดเอง (แล้วนะครับ)

Drawing on your previous topic, one can make up stuff in Thai (just as in almost any other language), and be understood...depending on the listener.

Just for fun, when people utter the standard proverb: ใจดีสู้เสือ - I have been inclined to tack on: ใจดำสู้เเมว

Some people think it's funny, even clever (it makes sense, when you think about it).

But others respond with blank stares, or even protest that there is no such saying in Thai (of course there isn't: I just made it up). It all depends on the listener, their sense of humor, or openness to word-play.

One of the most-clever turns of phrase I ever heard was when I was at a sidewalk food stall, engaged in some light banter with a couple women at the next table. At some point, I said: เเมวไม่อยู่หนูระเริง (when the cat's away, the mice will play)

They were prostitutes, and one said: เมียไม่อยู่หนูระเริง (when the wife's away, I will play)

I found that to be terribly witty, turning around a proverb like that, preserving the basic melodic scheme, and using the second meaning of หนู as a personal pronoun.

Sure, that one is "vulgar" and should not be said in polite company... But it's one example of how some people do play with words. Many Thais have a very good sense of humor.

Edited December 26, 2007 by mangkorn

[Wanida]

How about ผมคิดขึ้นมาเอง หรือ ผมแต่งของผมเอง

[mangkorn]

How about ผมคิดขึ้นมาเอง หรือ ผมแต่งของผมเอง

Excellent, Khun Wanida. Thanks for those. (I often forget the ขึ้นมา construction, which seems so appropriate in this case. And แต่ง... makes perfect sense, too.)

Cheers.

[keekwai]

My sole claim to fame in this department is "grah-daht doot" (bum paper) for toilet tissue rolls. Usually gets a few laughs from Thais.