• It is said that when the Chinese people from Fujian first encountered the Dutch, they called them ang mo (literally translated as “red hair”) as most of the Dutch had what looked like red hair. Subsequently, the term came to refer to Westerners in general. As Singapore was a British colony, ang mo became a term referring to the British.

Born and raised in Denmark, the mixed-race girl looks like a typical ang mo. However, she speaks fluent Hainanese. A video of her describing her daily life in Hainanese has been very well received. (Lianhe Wanbao, 12/5/19)

老外 (Mainland China), 阿啄仔 (Taiwan)

• Because of Singapore’s history as a British colony, the term ang mo was used to refer to many things introduced to the local community by the British. English-medium schools were known as ang mo schools; English-educated people were considered to have studied ang mo books; and English was known as the ang mo language.
• There is no derogatory association with using the term ang mo to refer to white people. Westerners living in Singapore even refer to themselves as ang mo. However, the term ang mo gui (“red-haired devil”) is derogatory and should not be used.