Sri Lankan Pride Soars as Iconic Words Enter Oxford English Dictionary – June 2025 Update!
Source : Meshaun Journeys LinkedIn
It’s a truly proud moment for Sri Lanka!
Our vibrant culture and rich heritage are now further celebrated as common Sri Lankan words are officially added to the Oxford English Dictionary in its June 2025 update.
Asweddumize – To prepare (fallow or disused land) for cultivation, especially. for the growing of rice.
Avurudu – The first day of the Sinhala and Hindu New Year, occurring on the spring equinox. Also: a period of celebration marking the start of the Sinhala and Hindu New Year, typically lasting for seven to ten days.
Baila – An uptempo style of popular music originating in Sri Lanka and combining influences from both Africa and Europe, typically played in 6-8 time, with a syncopated rhythm, and often associated with weddings and other celebrations. Also: a style of dance performed to this music.
Kiribath – A Sri Lankan dish made with rice cooked in coconut milk and formed into a block, typically sliced into diamond-shaped pieces and traditionally eaten at the Sinhala and Tamil New Year and at ceremonial or other special occasions.
Kottu Roti – A Sri Lankan dish consisting of pieces of roti, meat, and vegetables, mixed with spices and curry sauce, and chopped by cleavers as they are cooked on a griddle.
Mallung – Lightly cooked, shredded (often leafy green) vegetables mixed with fresh grated coconut, chilli, and other spices, served as a side dish, salad, or condiment as part of a typical Sri Lankan meal.
Osari – A type of sari traditionally associated with Sinhalese women of Sri Lanka, draped by wrapping around the waist, creating a distinctive frill around the midriff, and pinning the end over the left shoulder. draping
Papare – A genre of Sri Lankan music usually played at cricket and other sports matches, characterized by lively rhythms and typically featuring instrumentation of trumpet, saxophone, trombone, and snare and bass drums.
Walawwa – A mansion or manor house; the principal house of an estate.
Watalappam – In Sri Lankan cookery: a custard made from coconut milk (or sometimes condensed milk), cashew nuts, eggs, and spices such as cardamom and cloves, sweetened with jaggery and traditionally eaten by Sri Lankan Muslims during celebrations marking the end of Ramadan.
