shiok, int. and adj.
Origin: A borrowing from Malay. Etymon: Malay syok.
Etymology: < Malay syok pleasing, attractive < Persian šoḵ cheerful, spirited, ultimately < Arabic (compare šawq desire, passion).
Singapore English.
A. int.
Expressing admiration or approval: ‘cool!’ ‘great!’
1977 New Nation
(Singapore)
26 May 19/2
Fantas. Ooh-la-la. Phew-whew. Wowie. Shiok. Jazzy, man. Beaut.
1992 Straits Times
(Singapore)
(Nexis)
15 May
English-educated Singaporeans know that there is an Ah Kow within them dying to burst out with a proclamative wah shiok man!
1995 Straits Times
(Singapore)
(Nexis)
24 Apr.
Wah lau, if got such a dictionary, damn good, y'know. You read, sure can laugh. Shiok man.
2006 Edge
(Malaysia)
(Nexis)
2 Jan.
Gold taps, gold bathtub, gold dinner table... Wah shiok.
1977—2006(Hide quotations)
B. adj.
1. Of food, a meal, etc.: delicious, superb.
1978 Straits Times
(Singapore)
8 July 16/1
(advt.)
Help preserve the essence of ‘shiok’ cooking!
1999 8 Days 4 Dec. 70/2
The wasabi potato salad on the side was another inspired concoction that shocked yet seduced—much like tasting a shiok curry for the first time.
2014 Today
(Singapore)
(Nexis)
27 Mar. 74
We hear the Nyonya Lobster Laksa is pretty shiok.
1978—2014(Hide quotations)
2. As a general term of approval: admirable, enjoyable, excellent.
1980 Sunday Times
(Singapore)
5 Oct. 10/6
Singlish sounds them shiok at times, wouldn't you agree?
1993 Straits Times
(Singapore)
(Nexis)
26 July
I didn't know who sang it but I thought it was really shiok.
2001 Business Times
(Singapore)
(Nexis)
30 Oct.
Your job very shiok—a lot of parties and drinking right?
2014 S. J. Rozan in C. L.-L. Tan Singapore Noir 122
Things were..better than not bad—everything was shiok, lah. Great.
1980—2014(Hide quotations)