Now in a Minute, Butt: Welsh Slang and Tradition in the Oxford English Dictionary

Updated for 2026

Official Wenglish validation is finally here! The Oxford English Dictionary (OED) has officially added the iconic Welsh-English phrase “now in a minute” alongside several other beloved local terms. From time-bending expressions to folklore creatures like bwbach, explore the recent Welsh additions to the dictionary, what they actually mean, and how historic Welsh loan words have shaped the English language for centuries.

If you’ve ever told someone you’ll do something “now in a minute,” you’ve probably been met with utter confusion, a raised eyebrow, or a polite request to pick a timeline. Does it mean right now? Does it mean in sixty seconds? Or does it mean sometime before the next ice age?

To anyone raised in Wales, the answer is beautifully elastic: it means it’ll happen soon-ish, right after this cup of tea. And now, our collective time-bending phrasing has finally been officially vindicated.

The Oxford English Dictionary (OED) added “now in a minute” to its pages, officially certifying Welsh English. But it isn’t flying solo. It arrived alongside a brilliant lineup of local vocabulary that captures the unique humor, warmth, and flavor of Wales.

The New Additions: Dictionary-Certified Cymru

The recent OED update brought a wave of new Welsh English terms into the linguistic fold. Here are the stars of the show:

• Now in a minute (phrase): Defined as meaning "in a moment, very soon, or before long". Closely linked to structural calques from the Welsh mewn munud yn awr or nawr mewn munud, it’s a staple of everyday valley life.
• Bwbach (noun): A wonderful piece of Welsh folklore making its way into mainstream recognition—referring to a friendly hobgoblin or a specter (and yes, it's also where the verb bwbachu [to scare] comes from).
• Twpsyn (noun): Dating back to 1941, this word might sound mildly affectionate to the untrained ear, but it actually means a fool or an idiot. Use with care!
• Boys bach (noun & interjection): A late 19th-century fixture used both as a term of endearment for a group of men or people, and as an exclamation of surprise or dismay (the equivalent of "good grief!" or "my goodness!").
• In one's oils (phrase): Modelled after the Welsh yn ei hwyliau (in good form or a good mood), this describes someone feeling lively, comfortable, or in their element.
• Bachgen (noun): The foundational Welsh word for "boy," adopted deeply into regional English use.

Previous updates have also gifted us entries like ych a fi (an expression of absolute disgust), iechyd da (good health!), mamgu and tadcu/taid (granny and grandad), and sglods (chips).

 

Take a look at our extensive range of Welsh language items HERE or choose "By Word" from the home page to explore your word of choice!

 

Looking Back: Historic Welsh Loan Words in the OED

While slang and colloquialisms capture modern life, Welsh has been shaping the English lexicon for centuries. Long before "now in a minute" graced the dictionary, older terms burrowed their way into standard English through centuries of cultural exchange:

• Coracle (n.): Dating back centuries, this light, basket-like traditional fishing boat gets its name directly from the Welsh cwrwgl.
• Crwth (n.): An ancient stringed instrument central to medieval Welsh musical history, recorded in English texts far back in history.
• Calennig (n.): First attested all the way back in 1749, this word refers both to the traditional New Year's gift and the custom of children singing door-to-door for treats on New Year's morning (often carrying an apple decorated with cloves and herbs).
• Hwyl (n.): That unnamable, stirring emotional momentum, fervor, or inspirational lift—particularly felt in Welsh chapel singing or rugby matches—which has been officially recognized in English dictionaries for year

Why This Matters

Language isn’t just about strict grammar rules compiled in a dusty library; it’s about community, identity, and shared experience. For a long time, regional dialects like Welsh English were dismissed as "incorrect" or overly informal.

Having expressions like now in a minute or bwbach codified in the OED proves what we’ve always known: Welsh English is rich, expressive, and entirely distinct.

So, next time someone questions your timeline, just smile and tell them you’ll explain it all... now in a minute.

What’s your favorite Welsh phrase that you think deserves a spot in the dictionary next? Let us know in the comments below!