Words of Chinese Origin in the OED: Misinformation and Attestation

Abstract

Recent decades have seen small batches of Chinese loanwords and words from Chinese English entering the Oxford English Dictionary (OED). Meanwhile, a muddle of misinformation on the dictionary’s inclusion of certain Chinese-origin words has occurred again and again in various Chinese media forms. The present study examines the extent to which these uninformed news stories are associated with prominent features of the OED. In order to assess the possibility of including the words mentioned in the pieces of misinformation, the study explores the current treatment of Chinese-origin words in the OED and adopts Diamond’s (2016) four criteria for entry, namely evidence of usage, longevity, naturalization, and lexicographical significance. Although the words examined are inadequate in meeting all criteria for inclusion, the misinformed new stories attest to an awareness of Chinese influence on the English lexicon and evidence the reception and reputation of the OED in Chinese media and culture. Moreover, the bits of false news reports expose lexicographers to new knowledge of some prospective candidates for lexicographical inclusion.