11 minutes | Thursday, 25 September 2025
The Oxford English Dictionary has included Manx words as part of its September update.The three selected are examples of 'loan words' - meaning they are Manx Gaelic words we'd use whilst speaking so-called 'Manx English'.They are: Chiollagh - which means a tall, wide fireplace with an open hearth, of the type found in traditional Manx buildings.Thie veg- which is a toilet or lavatory, especially one which is external to a main building. And cooish - which means a friendly conversation or chat.It's not the first time words originating from the Isle of Man have featured, as Lewis Foster found out when he spoke to the OED's World English Editor, Danica Salazar.