In 2025, a new dictionary from Oxford University Press will provide the world with precise definitions of “bussin,” chitterlings,” and “cakewalk.”
Oxford University Press announced its plans to publish “The Oxford Dictionary of African American English” last year. This list is unmatched. The New York Times reported that during a recent presentation online, the people involved revealed they had already chosen 100 words for their dictionary.
The Times has revealed 10 definitions and etymologies that will be included in a soon-to-be published dictionary.
- bussin: (adjective or participle). Particularly describing food. Also more generally: excellent, impressive. 2. Describes a party or event: crowded, busy. (Variant forms: bussing, bussin’.)
- grill is a removable or permanent dental cover, usually made from silver, gold, or another metal, and often set with gemstones. It’s worn as jewelry.
- Promised Land n.: A place where people enslaved and later African Americans in general could find refuge and live free. (Etymology) A reference to the Biblical story of Jewish people who sought freedom from Egyptian bondsage.
- chitterlings: A dish that is made of pig intestines, usually boiled or fried. Sometimes pig intestines are also used. (Variant forms: chitlins, chittlins, chitlings, chitterlins.)
- kitchen n.: The hair on the nape of neck. It is usually shorter and kinkier, making it more difficult to style.
- cakewalk: A contest where Black people perform a stylized walking in pairs. Usually judged by the plantation owner. The prize would be some kind of cake. 2. The job is easy.
- old-school Describes early hip-hop and rap music from New York City, between the late 70s and the mid 80s. It is characterized by couplets, disco and funk samples, and playful lyrics. Also used to describe music from that time and style. Old skool is a variant form.
- pat (verb): 1. transitive. Tap (the foot) to the rhythm of music, as a sign of religious participation. 2. intransitive. Tap in time with the music.
- Aunt Hagar’s children(n.): An expression for Black people as a group. (Etymology): A reference to Hagar, who was in the Bible with her son Ishmael and was expelled by Sarah and Abraham, Ishmael’s father. Hagar became, for some Black communities the symbol of Black womenhood and all Africans.
- ring chant: A spiritual dance in which participants move their feet in a circle and clap their hands while chanting or singing. The dancing and singing intensify over time, and the participants often end up in a state spiritual ecstasy.
You can also contribute by sending in relevant words to this.
Henry Louis Gates Jr., a Harvard University professor of African American history and literary critic, spoke to the Times about his role as editor. He spoke with the Times about the project he is editing, to which researchers and editors will contribute from Oxford Languages as well as the Harvard University Hutchins Center for African & African American Research.
Gates said in an interview that everyone has a need to express themselves. He also stressed the importance of word representation and inclusivity in dictionaries. You need to be able communicate your feelings and thoughts to others in your speech group… That’s why we reformed the English language.
According to Gates’s statement, the words would also be added in Oxford English Dictionary.
He explained that the inclusion of these words in the English dictionary was the best of both the worlds. He said, “We want to show that Black English is a part of the larger Englishes spoken throughout the world.”
