or not

or not

English

Alternative forms

• anot (Singapore)
• ornot (Singapore)

Etymology 1

Influenced by Chinese 是不是 (“whether or not”), forming a question, and similar interrogative expressions with 不, 無, 唔 and other dialectal synonyms.

Pronunciation

• Audio (Mid-Atlantic)

  (file)

Particle

or not

1. (Singapore, Malaysia, colloquial) Final interrogative particle, forming a yes/no question from a declarative statement.
   • 2020 January 26, JustGreat, “I ordered Pizza Hut”, in SG Talk‎:

     Can or not ?

Usage notes

In contrast to most English dialects, where "or not" is only optionally appended to a yes/no question formed syntactically ("He went" → "Did he go?" → "Did he go or not?"), in Colloquial Singaporean English "or not" functions as a final particle and forms a question by itself: "He go" → "He go or not?"

Synonyms

• is it

Phrase

or not

1. Emphasizes that a particular claim or idea makes no difference regarding what can or has happened.
2. A sardonic response to a new event that contradicts what the speaker has just stated.

   "I bet the green car will make it unscathed!" said Mildred. Suddenly, there came a loud crunch from the racetrack. "Or not," she sighed.

See also

• on second thought

Anagrams

• Orton, Troon, roton