Wednesday, September 29, 2010

Funny Number

In Thai, the number five is pronounced, "ha" and is spoken in a high tone of voice. So, if you repeat the number a couple of times, it sounds like you're laughing. In informal written Thai, such as emails or text messages to friends, Thais often write "55" instead of "haha". When I took a taxi today and the cabbie told me the fare was fifty-five baht, I asked the cabbie why he was laughing. It took him a little while to get my little joke, but when he did, we both had a few chuckles.