31 Filipino words to be included in Oxford’s new words list

London

The Oxford English Dictionary (OED) has included several words from the Filipino language to be added in its 500 new words list for June 2015.

From Tagalog – the regional language on which the national language, Filipino, is based – 13 words are included. These are mabuhay, kuya, barong, barong tagalong, baro’t saya, halo-halo, pan de sal, sinigang, baon, pulutan, bahala na, suki, and utang na loob.

KKB, an acronym which means kaniya-kaniyang bayad, also made it to this month’s new words list. According to OED editorial member Danica Salazar, KKB borrows from Tagalog words and used alongside local vernaculars.

Despedidas, estafa, and barkada, which are originally Spanish and adopted by the Filipino language, are also in the list.

Those that can be readily combined with other words, particularly English words, were also added. They are balikbayan (for balikbayan box), kikay (for kikay kit), and buko (for buko juice).

Filipinos may be surprised to find out that the words carnap, carnapper, comfort room, mani-pedi, presidentiable, batchmate, high blood, gimmick, salvage, advanced, and dirty kitchen are originally from the Philippine English language – and are now recognized by the Oxford dictionary.