The Oxford English Dictionary (OED) has included 20 Nigerian slangs and expressions in its latest update, reflecting the growing influence of Nigerian culture and language on global English.
Words like “Japa,” “Agbero,” “Eba,” “419,” “Yahoo Boy,” and “Abi” are among the new additions.
Kingsley Ugwuanyi, a Nigerian English consultant to the OED, shared the development on his LinkedIn page on Tuesday.
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Expressing his excitement, Ugwuanyi revealed his role in drafting the words and recording their pronunciations.
“I’m thrilled to announce that the Oxford English Dictionary (OED) Oxford Languages | OUP has officially published its latest updates, featuring an amazing collection of Nigerian English words that beautifully reflect Nigeria’s culture, creativity, and the unique ways we express ourselves as Nigerians,” Ugwuanyi stated.
He added, “This time, I not only drafted most of the words but also had the incredible opportunity to provide their #pronunciations! So, when you explore the OED online and click on the pronunciations, you’ll hear my #voice bringing these words to life.”
The words, rooted in Nigeria’s Pidgin English and everyday vocabulary, signify a growing recognition of the country’s linguistic contributions. For instance, “Japa,” a Yoruba term, describes the increasing trend of Nigerians emigrating to other countries for education, employment, or economic opportunities.
Other terms, such as “419,” highlight cultural realities in Nigeria. The OED defines it as, “Fraud (now usually perpetrated on the internet) involving requests for advance payment in return for a substantial share of a large amount of money, which ultimately is never given.”
To aid non-Nigerians in pronouncing these terms correctly, the OED has included pronunciation guides.
Below is the full list of the newly added Nigerian words and slangs:
- 419
- Abi
- Adire
- Agbero
- Area boy
- Cross-carpet
- Cross-carpeting
- Eba
- Edo
- Gele
- Jand (noun, verb)
- Janded (adjective)
- Japa (noun, verb)
- Kanuri
- Kobo
- Naija
- Suya
- Yahoo
- Yahoo boy
- Yarn dust
