'Gigil' among newly added words in Oxford English Dictionary
Gigil, a Filipino word that describes that feeling or urge to pinch or squeeze someone or something out of their cuteness, is among the newly added words in the Oxford English Dictionary.
The dictionary defines gigil, a noun, as a feeling “so intense that it gives us the irresistible urge to tightly clench our hands, grit our teeth, and pinch or squeeze whomever or whatever it is we find so adorable.”
It added that it can also be used as an adjective to describe the person feeling it due to "anger, eagerness, or the pleasure of seeing someone or something cute or adorable."
“So, if a Filipino says they’re gigil, they’re just dealing with overwhelming feelings (usually positive),” it added.
Gigil was listed under “untranslatable” words, along with Malaysia and Singapore’s “Alamak” which is used to express surprise, shock, dismay, or outrage; South Africa’s “Yoh” which is used to express various emotions or reactions, like surprise, admiration, or distress; and Ireland’s “Class” which is a colloquial and derogatory term for a “lazy, unproductive, or stupid person.”
Other Filipino words newly added to the dictionary are kababayan, lumpia, Pinoy, salakot, sando, load, CR, videoke, and terror, which refers to a teacher who is “strict, harsh, or demanding.”
“Thomasite” was also added to the list, which refers to an American teacher in the Philippines during the period of American occupation from 1899 to 1946.
