“Taeng-Bituin” and Other Pinoy Poop Words
The Filipino language is colorful, witty, and sometimes downright funny. One quirky feature is the usage of the word “taeng-,” literally translating to “poop of,” as a prefix, like the word “taeng-bituin.” While these terms may sound humorous or even crude today, they reveal how our ancestors named objects around them in raw, everyday language.
Taeng-Bituin (n)
Instead of poetic names like “luha ng tala” (star tears), our ancestors chose “taeng-bituin” to describe a glowing rock that fell from the heavens.
According to the UP Diksiyonaryong Filipino, this refers to a “bulalakaw na bumagsak, may kaukulang laki upang maabot ang rabaw ng mundo nang walang ganap na pagbabaga sa atmospera.” In other words, a “meteorite.”
Taeng-Bakal (n)
This word is used to describe “kalawang,” or “rust” in English. When iron decays, it turns reddish-brown. So our ancestors saw this as a “waste from metal.” The name captures the decay in a vivid, earthy way.
Taeng-Babasi (n)
This is another way of saying “taeng-bakal,” showing how multiple versions sometimes existed for the same idea.
Taeng-Ngipin (n)
Have you ever seen that sticky, unwanted buildup on your teeth and gums? Chances are you have “taeng-ngipin” or “plaque.”
To be specific, its Tagalog definition is “madikit at malagkit na dumi sa ngipin na tinitirhan ng bakterya.” Yikes!
Taeng-Baboy (n)
This may be the strangest “taeng-” entry on our list, as this directly translates to “pig shit.”
Scientifically known as the “Saxicola caprata,” this refers to a pied bush chat, a small, black bird found across the Philippines. Despite its name, it looks nothing like pig poop, yet the label stuck and became official.
READ: 7 Deep Pinoy Words To Enrich Your Vocabulary
Far from just being silly, “taeng-bituin” and the other Pinoy poop words remind us that language reflects both the humor and practicality of our ancestors. These are proof that Filipino culture has always been imaginative…even if it means naming stars, metals, and birds after literal shit.
