The Welsh words that have been added to the Oxford English Dictionary

It has been reported that the most recent edition of the Oxford English Dictionary now includes ten Welsh words. Every quarter, the OED is updated to reflect changes in word usage, incorporate new terms related to current events and trends, and add new words, senses, and entries.

The September 2024 update, which was released on Thursday, had several Welsh words. It stated: “This quarter, one of the four countries that make up the United Kingdom is Wales, where our lexical voyage throughout the English-speaking world begins. The Welsh language is fundamental to Welsh identity and culture, and the many words and expressions that English has acquired from Welsh demonstrate the language’s profound influence on Welsh speakers’ daily speech.

Calennig – the OED says it is the oldest word to be included as it dates back to the 18th century. The entry says: “A noun first attested in 1749, combines the Welsh word calan, meaning New Year’s Day, or first day of the month, with –ig, a Welsh diminutive suffix or a suffix expressing belonging. Calan itself comes from the post-classical Latin word *calandae, a variant of the classical Latin calendae, which is also the origin of the English word calendar.” Adding “Calennig can simply mean a New Year’s gift, but it can also refer to a Welsh New Year’s custom. On the morning of New Year’s Day, children go from door to door requesting food, money, or other gifts—and unsurprisingly for Wales, the land of song, these requests are traditionally sung. Children taking part in this custom typically carry an apple or orange pierced with sticks and decorated with sprigs of herbs or foliage, as well as cloves, nuts, or raisins, so that calennig can also sometimes be used to indicate the decorated apple or orange itself.”

Iechyd da – they say: “earliest seen in English in 1907, an exclamation used as a toast or salutation before drinking”.

Ych a fi – They say it first appeared in 1860 and describe it as “an interjection expressing disgust or disdain”.

Twp – Described as “an adjective used to describe someone or something stupid or idiotic”.

Senedd – Saying: “The name of the Welsh Parliament, the devolved, unicameral legislative assembly of Wales, and also of the building in Cardiff in which the Parliament meets”.

Cawl – “A traditional Welsh soup typically made with lamb or beef, and vegetables such as leeks, potatoes, swedes, and carrots.

Sglods – “The Welsh English word for chips or French fries.”

Mamgu, Tadcu and Taid – “Terms of address for one’s grandparents. Grandmothers in South Wales are called mamgu (1831), while grandfathers are called tadcu (1876). In North Wales, grandfathers are addressed as taid (1887)—its female counterpart, nain (1887) was was added to the OED in an earlier update..”

The September update also contains a constellation of shiny new words – or, more accurately, constellations, plural, as work by the dictionary’s science team has introduced the names of various starry gatherings including Canis and Corvus.

Other new additions at cheap adj. include cheap date and cheap thrill. There is also sheisty, Blue Monday and mic drop!

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