“You know you’ve made quite an impression when you get added to the dictionary.”
The Oxford English Dictionary has acknowledged the cultural impact of film makers such as David Lynch, Quentin Tarantino and Stanley Kubrick.
In October 2018, The Oxford English Dictionary announced its latest update featuring over a hundred terms and phrases related to the film industry.
The names of some of the high profile filmmakers of all time, have been transformed into adjectives
For director of ‘A Clockwork Orange’ (1971) Stanley Kubrick , it’s ‘Kubrickian’ which means “meticulous perfectionism, mastery of the technical aspects of film-making, and atmospheric visual style in films across a range of genres.”
Meanwhile, for filmmaker Quentin Tarantino, is ‘Tarantinoesque’– which means “characterized by graphic and stylised violence, non-linear storylines, cineliterate references, satirical themes, and sharp dialogue”. And anyone who has watched and enjoyed his work would say, there’s nothing more ‘Tarantinoesque’ than his portrayal of violence.
Robert Altman (‘Altmanesque’) , Steven Spielberg(‘Spielbergian’)and Frank Capra(‘Capraesque’)were among some of the other prolific directors to make the cut.
Not only the names of film directors were remembered, Jack Foley an American sound technician’s name emerged as a technical term ‘Foley’.
Jack Foley was a leading sound technician after the advent of sound film, involved with major films as late as Spartacus
According to the Oxford English Dictionary, ‘Foley’ refers to sound effects created to mimic ambient noises in film or television, typically using a variety of objects and practical methods; (also) the process of creating such effects.
Foley artists recreate the realistic ambient sounds that the film portrays.
Several phrases originating within the film industry were also added.
‘Mumblecore’ : a style of low-budget film typically characterized by naturalistic and (apparently) improvised performances and a reliance on dialogue rather than plot or action
‘Scream queen ‘ :an actress noted for her roles in horror films
Some of cinema’s most iconic phrases were also included in this update.
‘to eleven’ from, 1984’s This is Spinal Tap – (up) to eleven has been used in various different contexts to mean ‘so as to reach or surpass the maximum level or limit; to an extreme or intense degree’.
After being whisked away by the tornado, Dorothy tells Toto “I have a feeling we’re not in Kansas anymore,” made it into the OED.
‘Not in Kansas anymore’: in an unfamiliar place or situation; undergoing a new experience
A full list of the film additions, and entries to which new senses have been added into the Oxford English Dictionary including some new entries such as kaiju, peplum, chanchada