Prior to Stamford Raffless’ coming to Singapore, he visited Indonesia, particularly Jayakarta (or Batavia at that time).
During his visit, he was involved in local community’s conversation in which they talked about corner lot. In Indonesian, corner lot is usually called “hook” or “Pengkolan”
Feeling inspired by this new term, Raffless brought forward this new knowledge to Singapore. As a result, when he was to name one of corner streets in Singapore, the first name popping up in his head was “Pengkolan”.
However, as an Angmor, Raffless could not easily pronounce that Malay word with ease. Consequently, he named it “Bencoolen”..
So, remember the origin of the name “Bencoolen”.
It is derived from Indonesian word “Pengkolan”.
Contributor.
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mwahahahhaah!! pengkolan to bencoolen?? quite cool
Comment by sylv — February 10, 2007 @ 7:49 am
eh tapi katanya bengkulu derived dari bencoolen loh.. coba deh wikipedia-in bencoolen.. keluarnya bengkulu..
Comment by sylv — February 10, 2007 @ 7:50 am
With regards to the Wikipedia, I must say that their definition of Bencoolen is inappropriate. No matter how you look at it, through anagra, or through simple logic, Pengkolan is much more appropriate compared with Bengkulu in terms of similarity. Within this close proximity, we can say that Wikipedia has provided us with a not credible information.
Best,
Menchong
Comment by Thomat Menchongg — February 10, 2007 @ 8:55 am
Gw sih lebih percaya sama “pengkolan”
Teori gw:
Si Raffles kan beberapa taun tinggal di Bogor, tuh (sambil bikin Kebon Raya Bogor), jadi mungkin sambil supervisi bikin kebonnya, kadang-kadang dia suka dengerin kuli-kulinya ngobrol sambil makan siang pake nasi bungkus a la ibu-ibu kantin UI (nasi sejibun, sayur campur, sama ayam/ikan/daging seiprit). Nah, mungkin pernah sekali dia denger kuli-kulinya ngobrol ada makanan enak di sekitar PENGKOLAN-nya Jalan Suryakencana, si Raffles jadi penasaran trus nyoba makan di situ. Ternyata enak banget. Waktu dipindah ke Singapura, dia pengen ngasih tau tempat makan yang enak di Bogor, tapi berhubung “Jalan Suryakencana” bener-bener susah diapalin buat Ang Mor, dia ingetnya cuman PENGKOLAN-nya doang, itu juga ngingetnya salah… jadi “BENCOOLEN”. Nah, buat mengingat makanan enak di PENGKOLAN jalan Suryakencana, si Raffles bikin “Bencoolen Street” deh.
Tapi… lu tau lah Orang Inggris, klo sampe kesebar luas bahwa “Bencoolen” itu diambilnya dari “Pengkolan”, ilang harga diri mereka (“mosok gw ngambil bahasa orang kampung?” katanya sih gitu), jadi mereka sekuat tenaga nyambung-nyambungin Bencoolen sama Bengkulu, dan cerita Raffles makan di PENGKOLAN jalan Suryakencana juga disembunyiin dari publik. Gitu deh.
Buset, ngasal bener gw bikin cerita!!!! WAKAKAK!!!
Comment by manusia kere — February 15, 2007 @ 3:44 am
Wah liuuusssss…blog lu menghibur sekali!!! duh gua yg lagi depresi jadi ketawa-ketiwi. teruskan usaha mulia mu bikin blog jayus =p
Comment by kristia — March 17, 2007 @ 7:03 pm