A dictionary about Pinoy slang and gay lingo is now available

HAVE you ever experienced sitting down with your friends to chit-chat with them and you suddenly hear words like “spluk,” “anetch,” or “kemerut,” which may be unfamiliar to you? 

Don’t worry because there’s a new dictionary that will guide you through these terms.

Vibal Group Inc. has released a book called “Philippine Slang and Gay Dictionary,” which aims to explain more to readers the “endlessly inventive counter-language of the Filipino gay and street communities.”

“While Philippine slang and gay may not correspond to formal linguistic syntax and may even sound outdated or alien, with most words a blend of English, Spanish, Japanese, and other languages, any form that this language takes is always vigorous, colorful, and historical,” Vibal Group Inc. stated in the book blurb.

To better understand the Philippine slang and gay language, “Philippine Slang and Gay Dictionary” explains each entry by incorporating its etymology, usage notes, and example sentences.

The dictionary has more than 2,000 slang words with 216 pages. It also includes academic discussions on the study of slang and gay language, an extensive glossary and bibliography, and colorful and evocative illustrations.

The book blurb also stated that the dictionary contains sensitive content such as “explicit, offensive, and sexual words,” but it stressed the need to include these terms in the book to “widen the vocabulary” of the readers. 

The foreword is written by John Iremil Teodoro, who is considered to be a pioneer in Philippine gay literature and a five-time Carlos Palanca awardee.

The contributors of the newly-published dictionary include children’s book author Christopher dela Cruz, veteran columnist Lady S, avid dictionary collector Ojo Gozales, and drag queen Randiva Datinguinoo.

“Philippine Slang and Gay Dictionary” can now be purchased for P610. Interested readers may visit Vibal online shop or contact +63285807400.