or not
See also: ornot
English edit
Alternative forms edit
Etymology 1 edit
Influenced by Chinese 是不是 (shìbùshì, “whether or not”), forming a question, and similar interrogative expressions with 不, 無/无, 唔 and other dialectal synonyms.
Pronunciation edit
Particle edit
- (Singapore, Malaysia, colloquial) Final interrogative particle, forming a yes/no question from a declarative statement.
- 2020 January 26, JustGreat, “I ordered Pizza Hut”, in SG Talk[1]:
- Can or not ?
Usage notes edit
In contrast to most English dialects, where "or not" is only optionally appended to a yes-no question formed syntactically ("He called" → "Did he call?" → "Did he call or not?"), in Colloquial Singaporean English, "or not" functions as a final particle and forms a question by itself: "He got call" → "He got call or not?".
Synonyms edit
Etymology 2 edit
Pronunciation edit
Audio (Mid-Atlantic) (file)
Phrase edit
- Emphasizes that a particular claim or idea makes no difference regarding what can or has happened.
- A sardonic response to a new event that contradicts what the speaker has just stated.
- "I bet the green car will make it unscathed!" said Mildred. Suddenly, there came a loud crunch from the racetrack. "Or not," she sighed.