Oxford English Dictionary Adds Caribbean and Bermudian Words, Reflecting Linguistic Diversity
The Oxford English Dictionary (OED) has officially recognized over a dozen words and phrases long used in Bermuda and across the Caribbean. This inclusion highlights the rich linguistic heritage of these regions. Among the newly added terms is 'bimpert,' a Bermudian word of unknown origin meaning a stupid or foolish person, often used in the phrase 'A bimpert is justah wuffless bye.' Another notable addition is 'hornerman,' a word from Trinidad and Tobago, used since 1975 to describe an unfaithful man. Other entries include 'vex money,' referring to funds kept by a woman for emergencies, and 'jablesse,' a malevolent shape-shifting female spirit from Caribbean folklore. Food-related terms like 'shadeesh' (Bermudian for chorizo), 'sugar cake,' and 'peanut punch' have also been added. The OED, which contains approximately 500,000 words and phrases, aims to detail the history of words, some dating back to the 11th century.
