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Of the many words in Philippine English that made it to the Oxford English Dictionary, nothing has probably received as much attention, locally and globally, as "gigil" in the dictionary's March 2025 update.

Taken from the Philippines' Tagalog language, gigil is a "feeling so intense that it gives us the irresistible urge to tightly clench our hands, grit our teeth, and pinch or squeeze whomever or whatever it is we find so adorable".

Asian English just scored a major win – 23 words from across Singapore, Malaysia and the Philippines have officially entered the Oxford English Dictionary (OED). From everyday slang to iconic food terms, these additions celebrate the way millions speak across Asia.