Wayangchology

Etymology: Combining the Malay/Singlish Wayang (theatrical performance; a facade) + the Greek-derived suffix -chology (the study of).

The analytical study and strategic practice of performative productivity in the Singaporean workplace. It refers to the psychological drive to appear hyper-diligent ("on-the-ball") to superiors and colleagues, often prioritizing the visibility of work over the actual output of work.

1. "Eh, don't be fooled by his 10 PM emails lah. That's just Wayangchology at its finest; he scheduled them all this morning."
2. "I spent my whole Monday practicing Wayangchology by walking around the office with a stack of papers so the manager thinks I'm busy."

Wayangchology by jb_c_b March 12, 2026

Wayangchologists

Etymology: A portmanteau of Wayang (performative acting) and Psychologists.

1. Self-appointed workplace "experts" who believe their ability to spot performative behavior (wayang) gives them the authority to diagnose colleagues with actual clinical psychiatric disorders.
2. Office workers, students or gossiping housewives/husbands who suffer from "Canteen Diagnosis Syndrome," weaponizing psychological terminology to label anyone they dislike or anyone they perceive as being "on-the-ball."

1. "Ignore Janice. She’s one of those Wayangchologists; she watched two TikToks on 'dark empathy' and now she thinks the intern is a clinical psychopath just because he didn't say hi to her."
2. "The pantry is full of Wayangchologists today, all busy 'diagnosing' the boss instead of doing their actual jobs."

Wayangchologists by jb_c_b March 12, 2026