Oxford Dictionary Adds “Kaya Toast” and “Nasi Lemak” Among 12 “Untranslatable” Singapore-Malaysia Words

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Loh Huey Xin
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The Oxford English Dictionary (OED) has included several “untranslatable words” from Singapore and Malaysia in its latest March update.

The additions feature the colloquial exclamation “alamak” and various food-related terms from both countries.

Popular Exclamations and Colloquial Terms Join Global Dictionary

“Alamak,” borrowed from the Malay language, made its first recorded appearance in 1952.

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The dictionary defines it as an exclamation used to convey surprise, shock, dismay or outrage.

Another colloquial word that entered the dictionary is “tapau,” which means to pack up food to take away.

“Terror” has also been added with its dual meaning in Singaporean and Malaysian English.

While it can mean terrible or awful, it’s also used as a term of approval meaning admirable or excellent.

The OED notes that “terror” is frequently preceded by “wah” and followed by “lah,” forming expressions like “Wah! So terror lah.”

The dictionary update includes words from other countries as well.

From South Africa comes “Yoh!” – an exclamation expressing various emotions including surprise, wonder, admiration, shock or distress.

The Philippines contributed “gigil,” which describes the feeling people experience when seeing something cute – an intense sensation that creates an irresistible urge to clench hands, grit teeth, and pinch or squeeze whatever they find adorable.

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Malaysian and Singaporean Cuisine Terms Recognized Globally

The original names of several food items have been added to the dictionary, highlighting the growing global recognition of the region’s culinary contributions.

“Nasi lemak“, “ketupat” (a small rice cake boiled in a pouch of woven palm leaves), and “otak-otak” (ground fish or seafood mixed with spices and coconut milk, wrapped in banana or palm leaves, and cooked by steaming or grilling over charcoal) have all secured spots in the update.

Singapore’s favorite breakfast combination of “kaya toast” and “half-boiled egg” was also included in the dictionary.

Two dishes with Anglicised names – “fish head curry” and “steamboat” – made the cut as well.

This isn’t the first time Singaporean words have appeared in the OED.

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Back in 2016, the dictionary added 19 “Singapore English” items to its lexicon, including words like “blur,” “ang moh,” and “shiok.”

On 11 Feb 2015, “kiasu” was selected as the OED’s Word of the Day.

The complete list of English words from Malaysia and Singapore included in this update:

  1. alamak
  2. fish head curry
  3. half-boiled egg
  4. kaya
  5. kaya toast
  6. ketupat
  7. mat rempit
  8. nasi lemak
  9. otak-otak
  10. steamboat
  11. tapau
  12. terror

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Loh Huey Xin