News

Gigil: The new word in the dictionary for overwhelming cuteness

Published

4 weeks ago

March 28, 2025

editor

Gigil, a Philippine word added to the Oxford English Dictionary, describes the feeling we get when we see someone or something cute

Ever found yourself speechless in the presence of overwhelming cuteness, like your baby nephew or the cat video you saw on Instagram? There’s now a word for it: gigil.

Gigil (pronounced ghee-gill) is part of a list of “untranslatable” words, or those that do not have English equivalents, that have been added to the Oxford English Dictionary..

Taken from the Philippines’ Tagalog language, gigil is a “feeling so intense that it gives us the irresistible urge to tightly clench our hands, grit our teeth, and pinch or squeeze whomever or whatever it is we find so adorable”.

Alamak, a colloquial exclamation used to convey surprise or outrage in Singapore and Malaysia, also made the list.

“Wouldn’t it be useful for English speakers to have a specific word for sunlight dappling through leaves… Or a word for the action of sitting outside enjoying a beer?” OED said in its latest update.

People who speak English alongside other languages fill lexical gaps by “borrowing the untranslatable word from another language”. When they do this often enough, the borrowed word “becomes part of their vocabulary”, OED said.

The majority of newly-added words from Singapore and Malaysia are names of dishes, a testament to the nations’ obsessions with food.

These include kaya toast, a popular breakfast option of toasted bread slathered with a jam made from coconut milk, eggs, sugar and pandan leaves; fish head curry, a dish combining Chinese and South Indian influences, where a large fish head is cooked in a tamarind-based curry; and steamboat, a dish of thinly-sliced meat and vegetables cooked in a broth kept simmering in a heated pot.

“All this talk of food might inspire one to get a takeaway, or to tapau,” OED said, referring to another new word which originated from Mandarin and the Cantonese dialect, meaning “to package, or wrap up, food to take away”.

Apart from gigil, the newly-added Philippine words include the national pastime of videoke, the local version of karaoke which includes a scoring system, and salakot, a wide-brimmed, lightweight hat often used by farmers.

Other Philippine additions include what the OED calls “idiosyncratic uses of existing English words”, such as terror, sometimes used to describe a teacher who is strict, harsh, or demanding.

The OED contains more than 600,000 words, making it one of the most comprehensive dictionaries in the English-speaking world.

Its editors consider thousands of new word suggestions each year. These come from a variety of sources, including its editors’ own reading, crowdsourcing appeals, and analysis of language databases.

Words and phrases from South Africa and Ireland were also part of OED’s latest update.

(BBC News)

News

Devotees in Kandy urged to be more environmentally friendly

Published

45 minutes ago

April 22, 2025

editor

The Clean Sri Lanka programme respectfully urges all devotees visiting the Sri Dalada Maligawa (Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic) for the veneration of sacred relics, to avoid bringing non-biodegradable items, such as polythene and to prioritize cleanliness within and around the temple premises.

Visitors are kindly reminded to dispose of waste responsibly, using only the designated disposal areas.

As a flagship government programme, Clean Sri Lanka seeks to inspire a collective awakening in environmental, social and ethical consciousness, striving to uplift the nation towards a cleaner and more responsible society.

This programme places special emphasis on creating a waste-free environment and encouraging proper waste management practices.

In alignment with the commencement of the Siri Dalada Dekma (Sacred Relic exposition), a series of activities under the Clean Sri Lanka programme have been launched around the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic to support this cause.

(President’s Media Division)

News

Mahabodhi Society mourns Pope Francis’ passing

Published

53 minutes ago

April 22, 2025

editor

The Maha Bodhi Society of Sri Lanka has expressed profound sorrow over the passing of Pope Francis.

The head of the Maha Bodhi Society of Sri Lanka and Chief Sanghanayaka of Japan, Ven. Banagala Upatissa Thero has conveyed deep condolences on behalf of the organization.

The Thero, who had met Pope Francis on several occasions, described him as a humble and deeply insightful leader, dedicated to religious coexistence and compassion for the poor. The Thero praised Pope Francis as a venerable disciple of Jesus Christ, who embodied humility and love.

In a significant move during his visit to Sri Lanka in 2015, Pope Francis visited the Maligakanda Maha Bodhi Viharaya. The Pope had remarked back then that he was the first Pope to visit a Buddhist temple.

Venerable Upatissa Thero concluded his message by praying for Pope Francis to attain heavenly bliss, acknowledging his lifelong dedication to spreading true Christianity and peace worldwide.

(Pic : News1st)

News

Ranil to appear before CIABOC after Ronald’s return (Update)

Published

3 hours ago

April 22, 2025

editor

Former President Ranil Wickremesinghe has formally informed the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) that he will be unable to appear before the Commission on April 25th as requested.

He requested a date after April 27th to appear before CIABOC, citing that his lawyer Ronald Perera is currently abroad.

Mr. Wickremesinghe is summoned to record a statement regarding a statement he had made about the bribery case filed against MP Chamara Sampath Dassanayake.

The CIABOC had previously summoned him on April 17, but the latter had informed of his unavailability on that day. Subsequently, the CIABOC yesterday requested Mr. Wickremesinghe to appear before them on April 25.

At a meeting on April 21 at the UNP headquarters, Sirikotha, the former President had also reiterated that he would appear before the Commission once his legal counsel returns.

(Previous news 2025 April 22 – 9.15.a.m.)

Ranil given new date by CIABOC

Former President Ranil Wickremesinghe has been summoned before the Bribery Commission this week.

Accordingly, Mr. Wickremesinghe has been requested to report to the Bribery Commission at 09.30 am on April 25.

He has been summoned to record a statement regarding a statement he had made about the bribery case filed against MP Chamara Sampath Dassanayake.The CIABOC had previously summoned Mr. Wickremesinghe on April 17, but the latter had informed of his unavailability on that day.

Therefore, the CIABOC has issued an alternative day.