Chur and whenua among latest additions to Oxford Dictionary - 1News - Dictionary

Te reo Māori words and Kiwi slang like chur will now be added to the Oxford English Dictionary (OED) as a part of a ‘Kiwi update’ totalling 47 words.

The words being added include a number of te reo phases, as well as some classic New Zealand-English slang.

It comes as linguists at the OED notice how te reo and English become more and more intertwined through conversations in Aotearoa.

The words were decided on after editors scoured newspapers, political speeches and even Twitter.

Phrases like chur, flat stick (to do something quickly), Kiwiness, hooning and korero will all be featured in the dictionary this year - placing New Zealand’s mark in the pages of the language.

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While some words are a Kiwi spin on English ones, the vast majority are of Māori origin and are used by Kiwis in everyday conversation.

Words that relate to belonging, like whenua (which will be the oldest te reo word added), rohe, kaupapa and iwi, will be added to the dictionary - joining the list of te reo words already in there.

Several phrases that relate to Māori sovereignty have also been included, including rangatiratanga (self-determination and the right of Māori people to rule themselves), tino rangatiratanga (right to self-governance and to political control by Māori people over Māori affairs) and kaitiaki (guardian or steward, especially of the natural resources of an environment or place).

Traditional Māori practices have also received the nod, such as rāhui, moko kauae, pōwhiri, and koha.

They're being included in the English dictionary is because the vast majority are used interchangeably with other English language phrases, giving Aotearoa a unique lexicon compared to the rest of the world.

“It is clear that te reo has had a profound and lasting impact on English in New Zealand,” OED executive editor Danica Salazar said.

“The OED will record even more Māori contributions to the lexicon as it continues to monitor the evolution of English in this part of the world.”

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You can see the full list of added words here.

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