Singapore and Malaysia are two common expressions added to the Oxford English Dictionary on Wednesday ( Mar 26 ), in its quarterly update for March 2025.
Popular cuisine was a big part of the release, with many recipes that are now defined in the lexicon on both sides of the Causeway and in Indonesia.
Oxford pondered the worth of what it termed “untranslatable words” and how the expansions broadened the vocabulary of various English dialects.
One of the additional words was “alamak,” which the vocabulary defined as an exclamation expressing” shock, shock, dismay, or outrage”
” Kaya” was recognized twice as well, becoming a “jam made from coconut butter, eggs, and sugar, typically flavored with papaya plant” and a part of “kaya bread,” a sandwich containing two slices of toasted bread spread with cheese and kaya, both received dual the recognition.
” Nasi lemak,” a Malay dish of rice cooked in coconut milk and flavored with pandan leaf, served with various garnishes ( such as cucumber slices, fried fish, roasted peanuts, cooked eggs, and sambal ), and “otak-otak,”” a Southeast Asian dish consisting of ground fish or other seafood mixed with spices and coconut milk, wrapped in banana or palm leaves, and cooked by steaming or grilling over an open charcoal fire, usually served
The significantly more implausible “fish head curry” and “half-boiled egg” ( an egg roasted briefly in newly boiled water such that the yolk and light remain wet and finally cracked opened and served in a bowl, seasoned with black soy sauce and white pepper ) were also added.
With the addition of more food items, it was probably expected that “tapau” –” to get ( food or drink ) from a restaurant or store where it has been prepared, for use off the grounds ” – would also be included.
“mat rempit,” a “typically fresh ) man who takes part in illegal motorcycle road racing and frequently performs dangerous stunts, was also given the smile.
Another Southeast Asian nations ‘ comments, such as” cyclo,” “kababayan,” and “lumpia,” even made the list.
Words with Spanish roots were prominent in the season’s additions, and a number of them were written in response to developments in technology, popular tradition, as well as newsworthy topics like” Gen Alpha,” “large speech model,” and “vape.”
The full list of the terms that the dictionary has added this third can be found here.