“Halo-halo,” “balikbayan,” and “comfort room” are among dozens of new Filipino words in the Oxford English Dictionary.
"Mabuhay"
The Oxford English Dictionary used this Filipino salutation, literally meaning "long live," to greet readers in a blog post today announcing that dozens of Philippine English words are now officially in the OED.
English has been spoken in the Philippines since it was first introduced to the archipelago by US colonial government in the early 1900s, explained Danica Salazar, the Filipina author of the post who's been pushing to include Filipino-coined words into the OED.
"Throughout the years, Filipino English speakers have been adapting the vocabulary of this once foreign tongue, using it to express their own identity and way of life," Salazar wrote. "Some of these unique lexical innovations have found their way into the OED for the very first time in this latest update."
instagram.com / Via instagram.com
"Balikbayan"
Meaning: A Filipino visiting or returning to the Philippines after a period of living in another country.
A balikbayan box is a carton shipped or brought to the Philippines from another country by a Filipino who has been living overseas, typically containing items such as food, clothing, toys, and household products.
instagram.com / Via instagram.com
"High-blood"
Meaning: Angry, agitated.
ABS-CBN Star Cinema / Via youtube.com
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26 Filipino Words Now Officially Part Of The English Langauge