The OED has welcomed four more Bermudian word, as part of a new collaboration with the annual Bermuda Spelling Bee contest
Four Bermudian words have been added to the Oxford English Dictionary, according to the Oxford University Press.
In a news release, the Press said: “In 2021, the OED added a significant number of words and phrases from one of the oldest dialects of English to develop outside of Britain: Bermudian English.”
The new Bermudian words include, hamma, shadeesh, bimpert and to cut someone’s tail.
These words will feature in partnership with the Bermuda Spelling Bee, an annual competition designed to promote language and learning among young Bermudians.
They said: “Hamma dates from 1980, the Bermudian term for a friend.
“Also of unknown origin, but somewhat less positive in connotation, is bimpert (earliest seen 2009), a Bermudian word for a stupid or foolish person.”
“Shadeesh is what Bermudians call a chorizo, the word is a borrowing from Portuguese, and its spelling represents how chouriço is pronounced in the Azores, where many Azorean settlers from Bermuda originate.
“To cut someone’s tail means to punish someone physically or to beat them up. This expression is used not only in Bermuda but also in the Caribbean.”
A study booklet containing a list of around 2,000 words is distributed to schools to support students in their preparation for the finals in March. The Bee, now entering its third year, is launched at the beginning of each academic year in September, with regional Semi-Finals taking place in February.
Words from all over the world are to be found in the booklet, including both new and pre-existing Bermudian English entries. Since Bermuda uses both British and U.S. English spelling, both systems are acknowledged and accepted in the competition, just as they are in the OED.
For more information on World Englishes generally, visit the OED World English Hub.
