Oxford English Dictionary Adds Trinidad And Tobago Vocabulary To Global English
October 7, 2025- The Oxford English Dictionary (OED) is officially recognising what speakers around the world have long known: English is vibrant, evolving, and truly international. In a landmark move, the OED has launched a series of quarterly updates dedicated to tracking World Englishes, embracing vocabulary from the Caribbean, East Africa, New Zealand, and Wales.
For Trinidad and Tobago, this means local phrases and foods are now enshrined in the global lexicon. Iconic terms such as “buss up shut” (first recorded in 1988) and the beloved snack “pholourie” have been added. Other regional words include “broughtupsy”, “bobolee”, as well as culinary staples like “cou-cou” (cornmeal and okra, dating back to 1843) and “saltfish” (in use since 1558).
By meticulously charting the evolution of these distinctive terms, the OED affirms the critical role that global varieties of English play in continuously reshaping the world’s most widely spoken language.
