Kilig is a borrowing from Tagalog that has taken on a variety of meanings and uses in Philippine English. The word can be used as a noun to refer to the thrill caused by an exciting or romantic experience, or it can be used as an adjective to describe the person feeling the thrill, as well as the thing that causes such an emotion.

Kilig is recorded earliest in the OED in the adjectival expression kilig to the bones:

To colegialas everywhere, the smallest mention of…Ariel Rivera…is likely to get hearts fluttering and squeals of ‘Ay, kilig (shivers) to the bones!’ rending the air.

1994 Filipinas 31 October p. 24

However, some Filipinos recall hearing the same phrase in a radio and television commercial for a juice drink aired in the early 1980s. Can you help us identify this advertisement, or any other examples of kilig before October 1994?

Posted by OED_Editor on 24 May 2016 15.24