The Story Behind ‘Cilok’
It had happened back in 2018 when I spend my days in Bandung with another four of my conference friends. At that moment, we are heading to search and buy martabak manis (sort of special thick pancake) in the middle of Bandung city by using the car. Just imagine, in the middle of Bandung city, cars are lined up and stuck in traffic. Motorcycles and scooters are everywhere. The condition in Bandung is more congested compared to other cities nearby because of economic activities and the population concentrated around there.
Once the traffic light turns light from red to green, our vehicle starts moving forward and same goes with other vehicles. I could see the motorcyclists around us ride in a rush. Some of the riders are riding in dangerous movement and close with our car as well.
In the middle of searching martabak manis, we stop for a while at the petrol station to fill up the petrol for our car. I am mumbling with my Malaysian friend in the Malaysian language and slang while waiting for my friend to fill up the petrol.
Me: Berani betul diaorang ni eh bawa motor kat sini, cilok bagai. (How dare they are. Riding at here in such a dangerous way – jump the queue)
One of my Indonesian friends heard our conversation and smiled before interrupting the conversation;
My Indonesian friend: Ouh, kamu mau cilok? (Ouh, you want cilok? [one of snack ball-shaped dumpling – sort of street food in Indonesia] )
I am a little bit shocked but I smiled and respond to her question, that I do not intend to have another food. I explained that cilok in Malaysian slang is like jumping the queue and expressing my feeling when I observe the riders at here seems like riding in a rush and at the same time jump the queue while riding. That was so dangerous.
After I explained to her, she laughed and our friends also now understand what is cilok in Malaysia’s slang. Even it’s only one word, I realized that we have to appreciate and celebrate the differences even Malaysia and Indonesia have similarities in language but some of the words brought a different meaning.
P/s: Featured image is not describing how the cilok looks like. It was captured when we are searching for another food. I am sorry.
