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OED Adds Eight Korean Words, From Ramyeon to Haenyeo

The update reflects growing English citations tied to Korean culture's global reach.

Overview

  • Oxford Languages announced the latest quarterly update Wednesday, adding eight entries drawn from South Korean food, social titles and everyday life.
  • The new entries are ramyeon, haenyeo, sunbae, ajumma, bingsu, jjimjilbang, officetel and the English phrase Korean barbecue.
  • Korean barbecue appears for the first time as a formal entry, with an earliest citation traced to a 1938 Honolulu Star-Bulletin article.
  • Separate entries for ramyeon and haenyeo recognize distinct Korean usage, supported by expanded English-language citations and media exposure.
  • The move extends a recent trend after seven Korean words were added in 2025 and 26 in 2021, with OED entries grounded in evidence and retained permanently once admitted.