Oxford English Dictionary Adds Caribbean and Bermudian Words, Reflecting Cultural Heritage
The Oxford English Dictionary (OED) has officially recognized over a dozen words commonly used in Bermuda and across the Caribbean. This inclusion acknowledges the unique linguistic contributions of these regions. Among the newly added terms is 'bimpert,' a Bermudian word of unknown origin used to describe a foolish person, often in the phrase 'A bimpert is justah wuffless bye.' Another notable addition is 'hornerman,' a term from Trinidad and Tobago, used since 1975 to describe an unfaithful man. The dictionary also includes phrases like 'to get on,' meaning to have an emotional outburst, and 'to cut someone’s tail,' meaning to beat someone. Financial terms such as 'vex money,' referring to emergency funds for women, have also been recognized. Supernatural elements are represented by 'jablesse,' a malevolent shape-shifting female spirit, and 'douen,' the spirit of an unbaptized child. Food-related words like 'shadeesh' (Bermudian chorizo), 'sugar cake,' and 'peanut punch' are now part of the OED. Addition...
