pakulo

Tagalog

Etymology

From pa- +‎ kulo (“act of boiling”). From the 1970s.

Pronunciation

• (Standard Tagalog) IPA^(key): /pakuˈloʔ/ [pɐ.xʊˈloʔ]
• Rhymes: -oʔ
• Syllabification: pa‧ku‧lo

Noun

pakulô (Baybayin spelling ᜉᜃᜓᜎᜓ)

1. ingenious scheme to brag about, especially for entertainment

   Synonyms: katusuhan, pasiklab

   • 1983, Nicanor G. Tiongson, The Urian Anthology, 1970-1979: Selected Essays on Tradition and Innovation in the Filipino Cinema of the 1970s by the Manunuri Ng Pelikulang Pilipino : with about 550 Photos and Illustrations and a Filmography of Philippine Movies, 1970-1979:

     Sabi nga'y kanya-kanya sila ng lakad at pakulo. Sa kasalukuya'y may 150 na rehistradong prodyuser ( hindi kasama ang mga fly-by-night).

     They say they do a lot and create new ideas all on their own. Presently, there are 150 registered producers (not including those who fly by night).

   • 1982, Frank G. Rivera, Ama, Atbp. Sari-Saring Dula:

     TAO 3: Hindi kaya pakulo na naman ito ni Mayor?
     TAO 1: Hindi naman eleksiyon ngayon! Kaya maaaring hindi pakulo. Tuwing eleksiyon lang naman siya nangangako't napapako.

     PERSON 3: Isn't our mayor just bragging something again?
     PERSON 1: It's not election yet! So it'a possibly not. Only during election he makes broken promises.

   • 1989, Philippine Currents:

     Mukhang ito ay isang magandang pakulo para sa pakikipag-usap ng ating pamahalaan sa Bise-Presidente ng Amerika.

     This looks like something good to brag about as our government talks with the U.S. Vice President

2. publicity stunt
3. gimmick; ploy

   Synonym: lansi

Further reading

• Zorc, R. David, San Miguel, Rachel (1993) Tagalog Slang Dictionary‎^[1], Manila: De La Salle University Press, →ISBN