The latest update to the Oxford English Dictionary for March 2025 has brought several everyday expressions from Singapore and Malaysia into the limelight.
Among these additions, popular food items from the region have also secured their place in this prestigious dictionary. The Oxford English Dictionary highlighted the significance of these “untranslatable words” in expanding the lexicon of different forms of English.
One of the notable inclusions is the term “alamak,” described as an interjection conveying feelings of “surprise, shock, dismay, or outrage.” Representing the culinary world, “kaya” was acknowledged both individually as “a jam made from coconut milk, eggs, and sugar, usually flavored with pandan leaf,” and as part of the iconic “kaya toast,” a beloved snack consisting of butter-spread toast infused with kaya. Additionally, words like “ketupat,” “nasi lemak,” and “otak-otak” have also found their place in the dictionary, enriching the representation of Malay cuisine.
The update also includes familiar food items like “fish head curry” and the classic “half-boiled egg,” reflecting the diverse culinary influences prevalent in the region. Furthermore, the term “tapau” was incorporated, defined as the act of taking food or drink from a restaurant or shop for off-site consumption, capturing the essence of takeaway culture.
Going beyond Singapore and Malaysia, the additions extend to include terms from other Southeast Asian countries. Words like “cyclo,” “kababayan,” and “lumpia” showcase the linguistic richness of the region. The update also incorporates words with Spanish origins, demonstrating the global influence on the English language.
Moreover, the latest entries in the Oxford English Dictionary mirror advancements in technology, popular culture trends, and current events. Notable additions in this quarter’s update range from “Gen Alpha” and “large language model” to “vape,” reflecting the evolving landscape of language in the digital age.
