Add Oil
Add oil is a Hong Kong English expression used to encourage and support someone, similar to saying "Go for it!" in English. The phrase is a Chinglish translation of the Cantonese term ga yau (加油, literally "add oil") and was added to the Oxford English Dictionary in 2018.[1]
Etymology and history
changeThe Cantonese phrase ga yau (加油), with ga (加) meaning "add" and yau (油) meaning "oil" or "fuel", is thought to have originated as a cheer during the Macau Grand Prix in the 1960s. Drivers and fans used it to imply stepping harder on the gas pedal, urging vehicles to accelerate faster.[2] This encouragement gradually became a metaphor, encouraging individuals to "fuel up" with motivation and effort. The phrase's popular usage has grown over time due to the influence of bilingual Hongkongers who use both Cantonese and English.
Due to its frequent use in Hong Kong’s text-based communication, the English translation, "add oil," became widely popular. In October 2018, the Oxford English Dictionary recognized its significance as a phrase of encouragement specific to Hong Kong English and traced its usage to at least 1964.[3]
Usage
change"Add oil" serves as a versatile and supportive expression in everyday speech, commonly used to encourage someone in sports, academics, or personal challenges. For instance, one might say, "Add oil, you can do it!" or "Add oil, Hong Kong!"[4]
Popularity in protests
changeThe phrase gained international attention during the Umbrella Movement in 2014, where the "Add Oil Machine," a digital wall along Gloucester Road in Hong Kong, was used to project messages of support for the protesters. It allowed people worldwide to post messages of encouragement.[5] "Add oil" was also used extensively in the 2019–20 Hong Kong protests as a rallying cry, often displayed on Lennon Walls, symbolic public message boards for expressions of solidarity.[6]
In popular culture
change"Add oil" has been used in various contexts, including slogans and messages in sports events and during exams or challenging situations in Hong Kong. It is a common phrase found in schools, workplaces, and even advertisements.
Related pages
changeReferences
change- ↑ "Add oil - Definition in Oxford English Dictionary". Oxford University Press. October 2018.[permanent dead link]
- ↑ Kirkpatrick, Andy (2020). The Routledge Handbook of World Englishes. Routledge. ISBN 9781138780601.
{{cite book}}: Check|isbn=value: checksum (help) - ↑ "'Add oil' enters Oxford English Dictionary, with the phrase rooted in Hong Kong". South China Morning Post. October 2018.
- ↑ "The phrase 'add oil' added to the Oxford English Dictionary". BBC News. October 2018.
- ↑ "Add Oil Machine: The digital art project supporting Hong Kong's protesters". TIME. October 2014.[permanent dead link]
- ↑ "The phrase 'add oil' resonates during Hong Kong protests". CNN. July 2019.