Words originating from Korean culture have been newly added for the second straight year to the Oxford English Dictionary (OED), an English dictionary published by the University of Oxford. Newly added entries include "ramyeon," "haenyeo," and "sunbae."
Ji-eun Care (Korean name Cho Ji-eun), a Korean-language consultant for the Oxford English Dictionary (OED) and a professor at the University of Oxford's Faculty of Asian and Middle Eastern Studies, said eight words were added: ramyeon, haenyeo, sunbae, "bingsu," "jjimjilbang," "ajumma," "Korean barbecue," and "officetel."
This marks two consecutive years, following the addition last year of seven words including "dalgona," "maknae," and tteokbokki.
Words related to Korea were rarely listed in the Oxford English Dictionary, but they began to increase significantly in the 2000s under the influence of the Korean Wave. In 2021, 26 words, including "daebak" and "oppa," were added in one batch.
Among the newly added words, "ramyeon" and "haenyeo" are also examples whose use in the English-speaking world has surged due to the Korean Wave. The Japanese food "ramen" and the word "ama," meaning a Japanese female diver, were already in the dictionary.
Care said, "We tried to list haenyeo a few years ago, but there was a lack of research or materials in English," adding, "As a recent drama featuring haenyeo raised awareness and mentions in the English-speaking world, it was added more smoothly."
"Jjimjilbang" and "bingsu" were also included on the back of the popularity of K-dramas and K-food. "Sunbae," which has a different meaning from the English word "senior," was newly listed as well. The OED already includes words such as "nuna," "hyung," and "maknae." Terms referring to Korean-style honorifics that do not exist in the English-speaking world have been steadily added.
In food-related entries, "Korean barbecue" was listed for the first time, following existing entries such as "galbi," "samgyeopsal," and bulgogi. As a related citation, the sentence "A Korean barbecue dinner was served" from the Honolulu Star-Bulletin, a Hawaii daily, in 1938 was presented.
Care said, "Once a word is listed in the Oxford English Dictionary, it is never deleted even if its use fades over time," adding, "Leaving a trace in English, a global language, is meaningful for future generations."
She added, "For the Korean Wave to have a long-lasting impact, there needs to be more active publication of books and presentation of research in the English-speaking world."