Oxford English Dictionary adds 12 Caribbean words, highlighting regional influence
New terms include food items, gossip phrases and terms of respect, dating back to the 16th century
San Juan, Puerto Rico — The Oxford English Dictionary announced on Wednesday that it has added 12 Caribbean words to its official catalog, reflecting sustained regional usage and the influence of Caribbean speech on global English. The update highlights a living language landscape in which Caribbean terms move beyond local conversations into the standard reference work that guides writers and editors worldwide.
Among the new entries is carry-go-bring-come, the longest term, dating to 1825, used to describe gossip or a person who spreads it. Variants such as bring-back-carry-come and bring-come-and-carry-go are listed as regional spellings of the same idea. The words under the letter C also include cou-cou and cou-cou-stick; cou-cou is a dish that blends okra, butter and cornmeal, while the stick is used in its preparation.
Other entries reflect broad food vocabulary and everyday life. Bulla, derived from the Spanish bollo, is described as a small, round, flat Jamaican cake made with flour, molasses, brown sugar and spices such as ginger, nutmeg, coconut and pineapple. Buss up shut refers to a popular fried unleavened bread with a flaky texture, similar to paratha or roti; the name evokes the bread’s appearance, as if it were in shreds of fabric. Pholourie is an Indo-Caribbean fried flour ball made with ground split peas and spices, a staple in several Caribbean communities. Saltfish, dating to 1558, is noted as the oldest of the new Caribbean words added to the dictionary and refers to fish that has been salted and dried. Bobolee is described as a stuffed and dressed-up effigy used as a target for beating on Good Friday. Cry long water means to cry frequently or insincerely, while broughtupsy captures a sense of polite manners rooted in proper upbringing. The list also includes Jamaican Creole as a label and tantie, a title of respect for an older woman. Taken together, the 12 entries illustrate the depth and variety of Caribbean language that has long interacted with English.
The Oxford English Dictionary has about 500,000 words and phrases, and its Caribbean additions highlight linguistic exchange across the region and beyond. The editors note that many entries trace back to earlier centuries, with some words appearing in print or speech well before modern global connectivity. The update signals the ongoing evolution of English as a living language that absorbs regional terms and cultural nuances.
The announcement, publicized this week, underscores the cultural significance of the Caribbean contributions to English and the broader recognition that regional vocabulary is a dynamic part of the language’s history. Lexicographers emphasized that the additions reflect documented usage and the enduring presence of Caribbean speech in everyday life, cuisine, social customs and storytelling. The entries invite readers to explore how language travels—from kitchens and streets to dictionaries—and to see Caribbean culture as an ongoing influence on English worldwide.