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Why we say 'hangout' when we hang out?

It's funny but when I was about in my teens, I did wonder why we say hangout whenever we go to mamak or went clubbing. I always assumed that we say 'hangout' meaning we 'let go' or let things 'hang' but I was wrong. Apparently, here's what it means. In the early days when the English Language was still developing, it seems that a business place is called a hangout. (Ack!) If you have a grocery shop, that's your hangout. But it is restricted to mean that it's a place where you run or own a business. If you work in an advertising firm, that's NOT your hangout, that's your torture palace! It seems that the term originated from a time when they didn't have the large signboards that we have today. Last time, they literally HANG OUT a sign in front of the door to indicate that they have a business there. As in "Ah Kow Barber" or "Que Que Massage Parlor". Hence, back in the oldern days, they usually ask each other, "So! Where you hang out your sign ah?"
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Anonymous said…
wah....really? so kolot?
July 21, 2008 at 7:58 PM
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