In a landmark step toward acknowledging the rich linguistic diversity of the Caribbean region, the Oxford English Dictionary (OED) has integrated a wide selection of longstanding Caribbean words and phrases into its latest September 2026 update, formalizing the status of terms that have circulated in family gatherings, Carnival celebrations, and daily community conversations across the area for generations.
Many of the new entries draw directly from the unique cultural and social context of Trinidad and Tobago. Among the most notable additions is *hornerman*, a colloquial term referring to a man who cheats on his partner or pursues a romantic relationship with someone else’s partner. The widely used phrase *to get on*, also added in this update, describes the act of making a dramatic public scene or indulging in an unfiltered emotional outburst. Another widely used term entering the dictionary is *vex money*, a phrase describing a personal emergency fund that a woman hides away for unplanned, unexpected crises. Geographic and familial terms have also been formalized: *Trinbagonian*, the common demonym for a citizen of Trinidad and Tobago, now has an official OED entry, alongside *nana* and *nani*, the regional terms for maternal grandfather and grandmother respectively.
Several new entries shed light on the deep cultural and historical roots of Trinidad and Tobago’s local traditions. *Canboulay*, for example, references 19th-century emancipation festivities that are widely recognized as the direct precursor to the globally famous modern Trinidad Carnival. Folklore is also well represented: *Douen* describes a well-known supernatural child figure from regional folklore, traditionally depicted with feet that face backward, while *jablesse* refers to a dangerous female spirit that is said to disguise itself as an attractive woman to lure men to their deaths.
culinary traditions of the Caribbean have also earned recognition in the update. Two popular local food and drink items now have official dictionary entries: *peanut punch*, a sweet, creamy beverage made from whole peanuts or peanut butter, and *sugar cake*, a dense, sweet coconut confection that is a staple treat in communities across the Caribbean. Beyond Trinidad and Tobago, the update also includes regional terms from Bermuda, such as *bimpert*, a colloquial label for a foolish or silly person.
While all of these terms are being formally added to the OED in 2026, they have been part of everyday Caribbean and Bermudian English speech for well over a century. The integration of these phrases into one of the world’s most authoritative English dictionaries does not create new meaning for the words — instead, it formally documents their established definitions and secures their permanent place in the evolution of the English language, celebrating the unique cultural contributions of Caribbean linguistic communities.