Expressions like ‘alamak’, ‘tapau’ and iconic food names now officially recognised in the English lexicon

The Oxford English Dictionary (OED) has expanded its vocabulary once again, this time drawing from the rich cultural and linguistic landscape of Southeast Asia. In its March update, popular expressions and food terms such as “alamak”, “nasi lemak” and “tapau” have been officially added.

According to the OED, English speakers who are bilingual or multilingual often adopt words from other languages when no direct translation exists. These borrowed terms, used widely enough, gradually become part of local English varieties.

A prime example is “alamak” — an exclamation commonly heard in Singapore and Malaysia, used to express emotions ranging from surprise and shock to frustration. The word, with its earliest recorded use dating back to 1952, is believed to originate from Malay, though a similar term “alamah” appears in Kristang, a creole language influenced by Malay and Portuguese.

Several local culinary staples also made their way into the dictionary’s newest edition, retaining their original names instead of being anglicised. Among them are “otak-otak”, a spicy fish paste snack wrapped in banana leaves, and “ketupat”, a rice cake encased in woven palm leaves. Singapore’s beloved “kaya toast” and “half-boiled egg” breakfast favourites are also included.

Interestingly, some dishes appear in the dictionary under their commonly used English names, like “fish head curry” and “steamboat”, which remain faithful to their local origins despite being anglicised.

The OED update wouldn’t be complete without recognising “tapau” — a colloquial term influenced by Malay and Cantonese, widely used in Singapore to mean “takeaway food”.

Beyond Southeast Asia, the latest update also highlights other culturally specific terms from around the world. For instance, “class” is an Irish and northern English expression of approval, famously used in the comedy series Derry Girls. Another addition is “gigil”, a word from Philippine English describing an intense, often physical reaction to something irresistibly cute.

Singaporeans may recall that in 2018, the dictionary previously added the Mandarin expression “jia you!”, commonly used to cheer or encourage someone.

The latest entries reflect how English continues to evolve, borrowing words and flavours from the many cultures that speak it.