‘Gigil’ (pronounced ghee-gill), a word from Tagalog, the language of the Philippines, describes a strong, uncontrollable urge to squeeze or clench something irresistibly cute. Psychologists refer to this feeling as “cute aggression.” The word can be used as both a noun and an adjective, as in: “That puppy is making me gigil.”
Other Words Added from the Philippines
Other newly added Philippine words include:
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- Videoke: A karaoke-like pastime where participants sing along to recorded music and receive a score based on their performance.
- Salakot: A wide-brimmed, lightweight hat traditionally worn by Filipino farmers to protect themselves from the sun.
Words Added from Singapore and Malaysia
Singapore and Malaysia contributed several words reflecting their rich culinary culture. Some of these are:
- Kaya toast: A breakfast dish made from toasted bread topped with kaya, a jam made from coconut milk, eggs, sugar, and pandan leaves.
- Fish head curry: A fusion dish that combines Chinese and South Indian influences, featuring a fish head cooked in tamarind-based curry.
- Steamboat: A communal hotpot dish where thinly sliced meat and vegetables are cooked in simmering broth.
Additionally, the OED added alamak, a colloquial exclamation used in Singapore and Malaysia to express surprise or frustration.
Influence of Global Languages on the OED
The OED editors acknowledged the influence of bilingual speakers who fill lexical gaps by borrowing words from other languages. Over time, these borrowed words become part of everyday vocabulary.
Other notable additions include tapau, derived from Cantonese and Mandarin, meaning “to package or wrap up food for takeaway.”
Diverse Global Contributions
The OED’s latest update also features words and phrases from South Africa and Ireland, reflecting the diversity and evolution of global English. Editors review thousands of word submissions annually, drawing insights from language research, crowdsourced suggestions, and database analysis to enrich the dictionary.
