The Power of Poyo
- Fai Ahmad
- Aug 7, 2019
- 6 min read
'POYO'. This popular Malaysian slang has always been associated with a negative connotation. It's a type of dismissal to express our loathe to the person whose 'pretentious', 'pompous', 'cocky' dan yang sewaktu dengannya. Prior to poyo, in Bahasa Malaysia, we express it as 'perasan' or someone that's just full of themselves.
The word poyo has been elevated into the Malaysian lexicon in the same vein as 'kowtim', 'best', 'terer' and much more. Whether we realise it or not, poyo has transcended the barriers of age, race, demo and psychographics. What started off as a made-up word spoken by city kids has now being propelled into mainstream Malaysia.
Poyo by definition
As one of the most used word in the bahasa pasar category, poyo has officially entered the Dewan Bahasa master list. Officially it means:
"slanga (berkenaan seseorang) suka membanggakan diri atau merasakan diri lebih bagus daripada orang lain"
On another note, poyo can also mean 'swagger' but in a passive-aggressive tone. To some extent, poyo can also be associated with success and something endearing.
In an article from tofukicks, the author listed poyo as a 'loser and/or douchebag'. But, as far as I'm concerned, poyo means 'wannabes', 'show-offs', 'self-indulge', self-centred', 'pompous', 'cocky' and the likes of it. So I seriously detest the tofukicks definition.
How did poyo came into being?
Allegedly, it came from 'Pollos', a Spanish or Portuguese word for 'chicken' and in the context of showing-off, pollos meant 'being cocky'.
It's a questionable origin story. However it's a good talking point to 'tunjuk poyo' or spark a debate or two at the office pantry or during your vape breaks.
I'm pretty sure a large dose of Malaysian gen-Xs to millennials roughly understood what poyo represents? But how did poyo became so pervasive in the Malaysian context?
From my personal account, circa 1994-95, my neighbour who attended a boarding school in KL came back for the semester break and started preaching the KL slang he was exposed to us hillbillies in the east coast. Those words being 'poyo', 'kantoi', 'sailang', 'sigok', 'kerek', 'kongkek' and the likes of it. Being in our early teens, we quickly absorbed and practice these big-city slangs with the hopes of being looked upon as in-fashion. I believe that's how the word initially spreads. Well, at least that's how we did it back in the day.
Types of Poyo
Kenapa DJs and rappers terhangguk-hangguk kepala when they're performing? Why supermodel puff their lips and teleng their kepala while doing their thang on the runway? Kenapa Ustat-ustat pondok suka menyalahkan orang lain dan memperlekeh-lekehkan golongan wanita?
Itu semua poyo la tu! In fact, these types of pizzaz and actions give a good sense of identity and persona to whom they are. So, from my personal observation, ada dua jenis poyo ni.
Jenis 1 - Poyo Jadi-jadian
Kesian orang macam ni. Tak ada core. Jenis ikut-ikut trending semasa dan terdesak sangat nak be 'in'. My deepest sympathy for this type. Melayu hisap vape, dia pun beli vape paling state of the art. Melayu pakai beg selempang, dia pun paling pakai sling bag leather LV. Melayu AMNO bawak Cayenne, dia pun ikut jugak beli Mers second, walhal sewa rumah enam bulan tak bayar. No clear vision and ambition. Just trying too hard to be accepted. This type of poyo falls under the negatively miserable category.
Jenis 2 - Betul-betul Punya Poyo
Jenis ni mula-mula akan buat kita semua menyampah, but because of their consistency and their sincerity of poyoness, it made everyone around them sort of understand and ultimately accept their attitude. These type doesn't give a shit about trends. They do what they think is right for them.
Persistency and firmness is the name of the game and occasionally these types become the trendsetters. Orang ramai jual tudung kat Insta, she started a beauty channel in YouTube. People are racing to buy new flashy cars, she went and get an e-scooter to commute to work. Always seeking better ways to thrive despite going against the grain. In my book, this type of poyo falls under the positive category
Dissecting the idealism of Poyo
Let's take these two Malaysian disaster-piece; Aliff Syukri (AS) of D'Herbs fame and Datuk Vida (DV) of Vida Beauty. Allegedly two of the most consistently poyo individuals in Malaysia. These two has taken poyo with finesse and to an ultra-viral level.
As much as I dislike to set them as an example, I'm sure their antics are orchestrated, not by chance. Let's go a little deeper on why these two are worthy of mention.
Carik publisiti murahan, glamour kampung, takde style, Melayu tak sedar diri...you name it and these two have endured it. And because they have the balls that none of us do, they are at the top.
As of today, these two, one-of-a-kind characters has built a sustainable empire...and business is booming! They are conscious about their actions and understood that whatever they are doing, it's for their sake. They relentlessly up in antics that are far too exclusive for mere mortals like us to comprehend.
If you think they got no class, well people, being muka tebal and consistent are several surefire ways to ship your products as fast and as effective as you can! These two disasterpiece are masters in their art. In some ways, when you become poyo, you shed all fears and permit yourself to be aware of your own voice, existence and talents.
Bukannya nak kena jadi poyo as fuck macam AS and DV and I'm also not judging them, cuma poyo jenis terancang dan konsisten serta ditambah dengan keberanian di luar jangkauan manusia biasa enables both of them to reap some level of success beyond anything we can imagine. That is the power of poyo.
How Can Poyo Be Beneficial?
Poyo done right is something that gives the practitioner an upper hand. Below are some advantageous of being a certified poyo.
We are all unique. So in a way, poyo is naturally in us. If you're poyo in your own terms, you're just being you and that's gold!
Poyo is nothing but our deepest desire. Poyo is raw honesty and that's rare.
Poyo is the cohesive glue that binds your self-esteem and confidence and reinforcing your beliefs, your character and actions together.
When you accept who you really are (and this is not an easy discovery), you'll be invincible towards the negativity being hurled at you. You're empowered not to care what others think about you. You're being real.
Implementing poyo-ness consistently will turn people's envy, kecaman and criticism into empathy, understanding, recognition and ultimately encouragement.
Poyo is the combination of several virtues - bold, creative, consistent, truthful, opinionated, honest, focus.
Developing a Positive Poyo Attitude
Converse with yourself. Ask yourself basic and raw questions. Who are you really? What are you really good at? What's your apparent weaknesses? What pisses you off? What little things that you love to indulge in? Seek the answers within yourself. It might be unpopular but, you soon realise that you have unique ideas and that's the beginning of a solid self discovery.
Spark conversation with other parties that go against your personal beliefs. This can broaden your horizon, built character and enrich your internal system.
Seek deeply what you love and indulge in it. Then believe in it, take action in regards to it, fight for it and defend it. Hey, you're just being you.
Be poyo with an objective. Anchor your poyoness with a deeper, more meaningful cause.
Be ready to receive backlash and dissing. Haters will hate and they are relentless. Who effing cares?! You're strong, you're a stud.
Consistently do more poyo follow-ups to [1] rub it in those pesky player-haters [2] discipline yourself in your expression [3] proof that you are the real-deal [4] gain recognition from the people around you (recognition, not acceptance) [5] shower the ones who believe in you with love.
Be Poyo In Your Own Right
Every once in awhile listen to your inner voice. There are seeds of poyo-ness inside you. Turn that feeling on and enjoy the ride. Indulge in it. Open and accept it.
The less we care about what others say, the more empowered we become. Embrace your physique, your spirit, your attitude, your strengths, your weaknesses and you are on your way to a higher level of living.
Being poyo boils down to act of self expression. If you have good enough reason to poyo, then poyo away. Stay the course and fight for what you believe in.
To the haters, those pitiful, self-loathing imbeciles who are too scared to find their own way; I say 'kesiannya kau kena hidup dalam dunia yang sempit tu'. Together, let's find and embrace our poyoness.
Let those petty criticism pass by your subconscious and into oblivion.
Additional poyo references for your delight:
Alleged origin of the word poyo from Urban Dictionary: https://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=poyo
A discussion forum about the meaning of 'poyo': https://www.newgrounds.com/bbs/topic/905727
A lady by the name of Nicole Poyo. A photographer focusing on the American West lifestyle, just because: https://sagebrushrider.com/rider-to-know/nicole-poyo/
Poyo in Wiki: https://ms.wikipedia.org/wiki/Poyo
Some of you might wonder, berapa banyak kali aku type 'poyo' dalam posting ni? Wonder no more. It is exactly 56 times.
Sincere disclaimer:
As with all my previous write-ups, every opinion, ideas, perspectives and context naturally came from my personal and limited point of view, experience, observation and knowledge. I can be wrong and right occasionally. I'm open to criticism and constructive feedback. That being said, I'm ultra-selective with whom I argue with. If you want to dispute my points, go ahead but be ready for a response which most of the time will be a resounding krik...krik...krik.
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