Phillipino Oxford

New words officially accepted by Oxford Dictionary!

Although, to be clear, some of these words we no longer need to learn because we’ve already been using them. This is just formal recognition of their existence, and a reminder of the vitality of language, of how it evolves, and how it’s us users who actually determine what words go in and, I suppose, what dies.

The “long game” is probably what these newfangled words need to play. Make sure they have longevity, and that they are used by peeps a-plenty. Just like “long game” itself, which has now been welcomed by Oxford.

This word is quite easy to remember --it’s the strategy needed by politicians now being hounded by the administration for their erring ways. Suffering at present while they are made to face yet new criminal cases, their names are being dragged into the mud, and the situation seems hopeless --and all they’re praying for is that they make it through the term of this current president, so they can cozy up to the next. It’s a whole new ball game then!

That’s probably the game also being played by the Palace though. While the Palace lines up all the shots, files the cases for corruption and money laundering, and eliminates its opponents, it must, even this early, be implementing Plans B, C, ad infinitum. Protect the assets, defend the bailiwicks, clean up the records and leave no evidence. Clear exit strategies and evacuation routes. Given the wealth of bank records currently being divulged at the veep’s impeachment trial, there should be a mad scramble to close those accounts!

Was it this March when Oxford accepted “promdi” in its roster? I’m not sure that’s going to be useful though. Given the sensitivities of snowflakes nowadays, will we be able to utilize promdi, and not get called out?

I tried using “provincial” once to describe artists from outside the capital, and received a look of horror. Of course I had no intent to denigrate the artists. It was merely descriptive. I couldn’t use regional, because when I think region, my mind is occupied with our brethren in Southeast Asia. So, “provincial” was more accurate to use. But these days, intentions are less appreciated. Promdis rejoice --this word will surely die a slow death.

Accompanying promdi is “CR”, for comfort room. Our persistence in utilizing this toilet term has prevailed, and we can now comfortably go around the world imposing CR habits on everyone we meet. Just like that tennis fan who insisted on throwing his baseball cap to the floor so that a superstar could go and pick it up for him. And autograph it. And hand it to him. For free. Very well toilet-trained, indeed.

Joining this illustrious group is “palengke” or wet market. Much like how our Senate nowadays feels like, the palengke is an integral part of Filipino culture. We depend on the palengke for affordable everyday nutrition, and in the Senate context, for demonstrations of cringe, lessons on humiliation, and hours and hours of amusement.

Humblebrag can now boast it is in Oxford. Many of our Senators are able to demonstrate this with varying degrees of success. Some are successful in assuming the mantle of humility, and fooling the populace about their good intentions. They even kneel to pray in random places.

Some are simply too full of braggadocio and it’s just one blunder after another. That can happen when you get action movie stars into politics. Some don’t know how to disguise that they’re bragging. We have to coin a new word for it.

My favorite new word is “life hack”. These days, it pays to be frugal and smart, and life hacks are good to have. That assumes, of course, that I have a life.