Alongside the likes of “clickbait”, “fuhgeddaboudit”, “biatch” and the classic “butt-fucker”, more Singaporean terms have been officially added into the Oxford English Dictionary this month.
Exclamations such as “aiyah” and “aiyoh” — used to express resignation or frustration — have officially entered the lexicon, as well as adjectives such as “bodoh” and “atas”.
Local cuisine also made its way into Oxford’s September update. Now the world will know what exactly “char kway teow”, “rendang” and “Hainanese chicken rice” are. Other Southeast Asian dishes that made the list include the Philippines’ “balut”, “pancit” and “lechon” (though the dish is really of Spanish origin).
More recently-added nouns familiar to Singaporeans? “Ah Beng” (loud, unsophisticated young Chinese men); “kopitiam” (traditional coffee shops found in Southeast Asia); “mamak” (term used for older Indian gents, but also a shortened term for Malaysian street side restaurants selling Indian-Muslim food).
Also, do watch the quintessential Ah Beng film: Royston Tan’s 15.
As to why “butt-fuck” (noun), “moobs” (noun), and “‘Merica” (noun) need to be included in the definitive record of the English language, it’s best not to question the lexicon keepers.
