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THE Oxford English Dictionary has incorporated a range of Malaysian and Singaporean English expressions in its latest update, underscoring the expanding global influence of regional linguistic usage shaped by Malay and Hokkien.
In a statement released by Oxford Languages, the additions include commonly used terms across Malaysia and Singapore that reflect everyday speech, cultural practices and hybrid language development in the region.
Among the newly recognised entries is “agak-agak,” used both as a noun and a verb to describe estimation or guesswork.
The term is frequently associated with cooking practices where ingredients are added intuitively rather than through precise measurement, a method commonly applied in dishes such as assam laksa and ice kacang.
The update also highlights “wayang,” a Malay borrowing originally referring to traditional theatrical performances involving puppetry or dance depicting mythological narratives.
The word has since developed figurative meanings, including a sense of pretence or deception, as well as describing something flashy or artificial.
Another widely used Malay term, “boleh,” is recognised as an intransitive verb indicating capability or possibility, and is also used similarly to the modal verb “can.”
Its popularisation is partly attributed to the slogan “Malaysia boleh,” which gained prominence during a 1993 Milo marketing campaign supporting Malaysian athletes at the South-east Asian Games in Singapore.
Hokkien-derived expressions have also been included. “Jialat” describes a difficult or undesirable situation and originates from the Hokkien term chia̍h-la̍t, combining elements meaning “to eat” and “strength.”
Another addition, “kaypoh,” refers to a busybody and can function as a noun, adjective or verb in everyday usage.
The update further includes “BTO,” an initialism for Singapore’s Build-to-Order public housing scheme, which has evolved into a verb meaning to apply for such housing.
The OED notes that applying for a BTO flat is often regarded as a significant relationship milestone, signalling long-term commitment.
The latest release also revises and expands several existing entries with regional relevance, reflecting continued integration of Southeast Asian cultural and linguistic influences into global English usage.
According to Oxford Languages, further details on updates from multiple regions, including Malaysia and Singapore, are available in its World English release notes. - March 25, 2026
