Filipino words liven up English language

For netizens, more Filipino words in the Oxford English Dictionary mean more fun.

According to the dictionary’s latest update, “evidence for these usages is not just found in the Philippines but also in parts of the United States that have large Filipino populations.”

Aside from “presidentiable,” terms like “barkada,” “balikbayan,” “barangay,” “balikbayan,” “KKB,” “high blood,” “despedida,” “halo-halo,” “sari-sari store” and “utang na loob” made the dictionary’s list of new words.

The dictionary is considered the “definitive record of the English language.”

Netizens took to social media to poke fun at the “new” words.

Reader Hiphip R. Bael III said: “This is good news. Finally, some Filipino slang, terms, and languages are included in the English Dictionary. At least we are a part of the evolution of the English language.”

For Internet user Kristian Jacob Lora, the news meant more chances to win at Scrabble, a popular board game. “Woah! Pandagdag points sa scrabble :-D,” he said.

However, these netizens thought that Oxford’s dictionary editors should have these words instead.

“Sumalosep! Aren’t they going to include ‘jejemon?’ Waaahh!,” said Selwyn Clyde M. Alojipan.

Dose of Filipino politics

A certain UrHONOR wanted these two Filipino words included: “magnanakawan at kawatan.”

“How about ‘KSP’—Kulang sa Pansin…?” said netizen thatsall.

Netizen Xasqui Alejandro Fullenlove felt the dictionary needed a dose of Filipino politics. “I hope they include Binayaran: (a) utu-uto kay Jejomar Binay; (b) under the Binay’s payroll, bayaran. LOL,” he said.

Other new words

Aside from those Filipino words, some words also caught the dictionary editors’ eyes:

twitterati (noun): Users of the social networking service Twitter collectively, typically referring to the group of prolific contributors or those who have high numbers of followers. [2006]

meh (interjection): This interjection, expressing indifference or a lack of enthusiasm, was probably popularized by the cartoon series The Simpsons, but it was already in use online by 1992—two years before it was used in the program.

fo’ shizzle (adjective): This slang term originated in the language of rap and hip-hop and means ‘for sure.’ [2001]. Ramon H. Royandoyan and Karl Angelica Ocampo