The Boso Jowo Slang Continuum

Parental advisory : explicit content.

Suddenly today I missed my hometown in Malang, East Java, and started to be in awe why are its people are so thick-headed and they love to pitch on swear words (misuh) in Javanese language or “Boso Jowo”. Perhaps not everyone has the trait, but a large portion of us surely do. A high tension, right before your eyes while their eyes open wide , and with monstrous tone, they bluntly shout the words to you.

“Jancuk koen kirik..!!” You f**kin puppy…

“Pancen nggapleki koen cuk!!!” You certainly act like a b*tch…

“Nggatheli tenan iku lik….” It’s totally idiotic, dude…

“Makmu!!!” hmm it means that we are as bad as our mother… *sigh*

Those are the common phrases that are used in common youngsters’ conversation in Malang and also Surabaya, especially those who came from some under nourished ugly gangs who often roam around the street to get some entertainment, or just to be disobedient. Particularly, the elders, the drivers of mikrolet (some sort of public transportation) and the illegal parking helpers are the most common users of those lines. This was probably due to traffic tangles. Not to mention the students too. And none other than most of the Arema football hooligans who are most likely responsible for the massive use of those “curse” sentences. That was why my parents were being so cautious that they didn’t want me to have a bad mouth and turn out to have bad conduct. They always persuaded me to study hard so that I could be admitted into notable state schools, which they believed the environment is rather clean. To some extent, it’s true.

But not until my 17^th birthday that I landed in Yogyakarta to become skilled at tricking people, I found that the Boso Jowo there was very different. Yes, although Yogyakarta is also a piece of the Java cake, the language tasted sweeter than Boso Jowo in East Java. The people’s gesture was very courteous, not like some of the ill-bred fellow of Malang who stares frankly at you when they think you got bad taste of fashion, or when they just dislike you. A low tune with appreciation often came from several guys like those of local street food vendors, who served you with hospitality. So far, I only found one word that most possibly the roughest swear word in Yogyakarta : BAJIGUR. It might be a deviation to hide the exact word aspired to be spoken that is BAJINGAN (criminal). I guess that Bajigur is also a sort of a beverage I think. Yogyakarta version :

“Bajigur, manuke ucul…” Dammit, my bird flees…

“Walah, aku telat iki, wasemik, bajigur…” Oh, I am late, darn..

“Wong kuwi bajigur tenan nilep dhuwitku..” That guy is so-going-to-hell to steal my money

“Bajigur, kopine kemanisen je..” Crap, the coffee is too sweet dude…

“Bajigur..”

I don’t understand exactly why there are differences between Boso Jowo Yogyakarta style and East Java Mode, although there are also some variety inside the latter province. I presume Yogyakarta people tend to keep low tuned even they are being freaked out. But that’s the essence of the culture, to be polite and act well mannerly. And another hypothese is that we, the East Javanese kids are the descendants of Ken Arok, was the King of Singosari who once justified all means to get crowned. He also told to be arrogant, rough, and chaotic. While in Yogyakarta, the kingdom of once established as Mataram still portrays the grace of living in the realm of the King as the resemblance of order.

And without realizing it, my Boso Jowo had become more into that of the mannerly one, and my friends in Malang keep boo-ing me about this. Thanks to four years and a month living in Yogyakarta.