OXFORD Languages has announced its latest update to the Oxford English Dictionary (OED), introducing several Guyanese English words that reflect the country’s rich cultural and linguistic heritage. These words, shared with other English varieties, highlight unique Guyanese traditions, food, and everyday expressions.

Among the oldest words to be included is belna, a term used in Guyana and other Caribbean nations to refer to a rolling pin used for flattening dough, particularly when making roti. The word, first recorded in 1872, was borrowed from Hindi and is also common in Indian English as belan. Another term with historical roots is feg (1875), meaning a segment of an orange or a clove of garlic, originally used in northeastern England but now primarily found in Guyana and a few other Caribbean territories.

Distinctly Afro-Guyanese traditions are also represented in this update. Queh-queh (1954) refers to pre-wedding celebrations involving music, food, dancing, and playful songs. This word likely has West African origins, though its exact source remains untraced. Similarly, typee (1970), meaning an intense infatuation or lovesickness, as well as a genre of romantic music, has uncertain origins but is believed to stem from Indian languages.

Other culturally significant terms include caddy ole punch (1991), which describes a homemade kite traditionally flown during Guyana’s Easter celebrations, and ketcha (1979), a children’s game similar to tag or hide-and-seek. Children are also familiar with being hard ears (1868)—a term for stubbornness—and avoiding full-mouth (1960), the improper use of someone’s first name without a respectful title.

Guyana’s culinary traditions are reflected in terms like foreday morning (1916), denoting the early morning hours before dawn, when a simple breakfast might include a butter flap (1978), a soft, slightly sweet bread, or a salara (1985), a sweet bread filled with red-dyed coconut.

More contemporary Guyanese slang is also featured, including towel (2011), which refers to a one-thousand-dollar Guyanese bill. The term prags (1990), meaning handouts or small gifts, also finds its way into the dictionary, reflecting the warmth and generosity embedded in Guyanese culture.
These new additions offer a glimpse into the vibrant language of Guyana and its influence on the broader Caribbean, marking a significant milestone in the recognition of Guyanese English swithin the global lexicon.