According to the Oxford English Dictionary, 'alamak' and 'nasi lemak' are among a number of 'untranslatable words' from Malaysia and Singapore that made it to the latest update in March. Photo: The Star/Filepic
“Alamak” and “nasi lemak” have been added to the Oxford English Dictionary (OED) for the first time.
According to the dictionary, they are among a number of “untranslatable words” from Singapore and Malaysia that made it to the latest OED update in March.
Borrowed from the Malay language, the colloquial exclamation “alamak”, from its earliest recorded appearance in 1952, is used to convey surprise, shock, dismay or outrage.
The original names of several food items have also been added to the dictionary, reflecting the influence of Malay cuisine in both countries.
Among them are “ketupat” (a small rice cake boiled in a pouch of woven palm leaves) and “otak-otak” (ground fish or other seafood mixed with spices and coconut milk, wrapped in banana or palm leaves, and cooked by steaming or grilling over an open charcoal fire).
“Kaya toast” and “half-boiled egg” were also included in the latest update, together with the evergreen nasi lemak.
Two dishes with Anglicised names – “fish head curry” and “steamboat” – were also included.
Another popular colloquial word that made it to the dictionary is “tapau”, meaning “to pack up food to take away”.
The word “terror”, which can mean “terrible” or “awful”, but can also be a general term of approval meaning “admirable” or “excellent”, was also added to the dictionary.
According to the OED, terror is frequently preceded by “wah” and followed by “lah”, such as “‘Wah! So terror lah.”
Other words from around the world that made it to the updated edition of the OED include South Africa’s “Yoh!” (a cry or exclamation which is used to express various emotions or reactions, such as surprise, wonder, admiration, shock or distress) and “gigil” from the Philippines.
“Gigil” refers to the feeling people get when they see someone or something cute, a feeling so intense that it creates the irresistible urge to tightly clench their hands, grit their teeth, and pinch or squeeze whomever or whatever it is they find so adorable. - The Straits Times/Asia News Network
Here is the complete list of English words from Malaysia and Singapore included in this update:
1. alamak, int.
2. fish head curry, n.
3. half-boiled egg, n.
4. kaya, n.
5. kaya toast, n.
6. ketupat, n.
7. mat rempit, n.
8. nasi lemak, n.
9. otak-otak, n.
10. steamboat, n. t
11. apau, v.
12. terror, adj.
