NounCommon lingo

Ting-tong Wala

[ting-tong wah-lah]
Pan-Diaspora· Anglo-Indian onomatopoeic description of the itinerant vendor ringing his bicycle bell
Also spelled: hawker, feriwala

Community Definitions1

Definition #1

A door-to-door hawker or vendor who rode through the railway colony ringing a distinctive handlebar bell, selling dress ribbons, lace, bangles, and household sundries.

“When the ting-tong wala came down the colony lane, all the aunties gathered at the front gate to inspect his ribbons and thread.”

Pepperwater
Contributed by Pepperwater
Oct 18, 2026

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