Since the first expat slang post, a few new phrases of expat slang have been overheard. Add what you know and enjoy!

Keyboard condom (n.) – the thin, plastic-film-like plastic cover found on Korean keyboards. Often taken off the keyboard by Westerns more interested in typing than fighting with a piece of plastic.

I can’t type nearly as fast with the keyboard condom on.

Typing with a keyboard condom is like typing with rubber gloves on.

Hongdae Standard Time (n.) – the hour to hour-and-a-half difference between the scheduled start time and actual start time of a Hongdae concert. See also Itaewon Standard Time; other versions are heard around the world.

A: Dude, this concert was supposed to start at 10pm! What’s going on?

B: Yeah, it’s Hongdae Standard Time – it’ll start around 11:30pm or so.

So-jacked (n.) – to get drunk on soju. Credit to Jason over at Serenity in China for the first known usage.

I got so-jacked on Saturday night and now I have no idea where my pants are.

My boss insisted we all get so-jacked as a rite of initiation.

SoKos (n.) – locals; South Korean nationals.

Sometimes even the SoKos get annoyed by subway sellers.

ajummafia (n.) – ajumma + mafia – a term used to describe a group of middle-aged women, replete in sun visors, umbrellas, perms, and odd fashion taste.Credit to Jay C. on Facebook for the first known usage.

Watch out for the ajummafia as you cross the road.

Family Mart bar (n.) – the plastic tables and chairs outside most Family Mart convenience stores. A great place for cheap drinking on nice nights. Heard frequently in smaller neighborhoods that don’t have a foreigner bar. See also Club FM, first seen on the Three Wise Monkeys.

A: We’ve gone to the Wa Bar too many times – where do you want to get a beer?

B: The Family Mart bar’s always open.

–

A: Time to drink.

B: Club FM’s cheap.

Konglishing (v.) – to say an English word in a Korean way. For example, “nice” often becomes ‘na-ee-SUH’, while ‘pizza’ becomes ‘pee-jah’, and so on. Also known as Konglishizing. Credit to ‘weirdgirlinkorea’ on a a waygook.org thread.

A: Hey, do you want to get a pi-ja?

B: Dude, it’s a PIZZA! Stop Konglishing already!

Bibim your bap: to mix your bibimbap (a collection of rice, mixed veggies, an egg, and some meat). I’ve also heard it as bibiming your bap. Credit to Paul Ajosshi for one recent usage of the former.

I love going to the place where they bibim your bap for you.

Hey, put the chopsticks down. Quit bibiming my bap, man!

 

You got more? Comments are open.

 

© Chris Backe – 2011
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