The real story behind why AH Nehs are called kelings in Singapore & Malaysia....
Back in the 1960s, there was a very handsome & macho Hollywood actor named Clint Eastwood.
He was always the hero and killed the bandits, red indians and bank robbers...always the good cowboy and a credit to the wild west.
After watching all the westerns, every Singapore Ah Neh wanted to be just like this hero of the big screen and really idolize this actor Clint Eastwood.
So whenever these Ah Nehs wanted to use a western sounding name as opposed to Muthu, Raja or Samy, they would borrow Clint's name to add class.
But alas, the strong Tamil accent coming from these Ah Nehs could only mutter the word "ke-ling" instead of "clint" when they try to introduce themselves heroically.
The rest is history.....