419, Suya, Japa and 19 other Nigerian words now added to Oxford Dictionary (Full List)
The Oxford English Dictionary (OED) has been updated to include a new set of Nigerian words in its diction.
The update included 22 Nigerian words which showcase the vibrant creativity and cultural richness of Nigeria’s language.
This was announced on LinkedIn by Dr Kingsley Ugwuanyi, World Englishes/Nigerian English Consultant to the OED who stated that the latest addition reflects the unique ways Nigerians express themselves and the growing influence of Nigerian English on global linguistics.
In his announcement, Dr Ugwuanyi shared his excitement saying, “The wait is over! I’m thrilled to announce that the Oxford English Dictionary (OED) 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.”
He revealed that he played a significant role in drafting most of the words and providing their pronunciations, adding, “When you explore the OED online and click on the pronunciations, you’ll hear my #voice bringing these words to life.”
The update includes words and expressions familiar to Nigerians, such as 419, Agbero, gele, Japa, eba, and Yahoo boy. These terms span diverse aspects of Nigerian life, from culture and food to slang and socio-political terminologies.
Dr Ugwuanyi also expressed gratitude to Danica Salazar, the World Englishes editor, and the entire OED team, stating, “This milestone is the result of years of #collaboration and hard work, and I couldn’t be prouder of what we’ve achieved together.”
Some of the words include 419, which means fraud, and agbero, used to refer to a young man who works as a tout at car parks and bus stops, collecting money from drivers, and ushering passengers onto vehicles.
The full list of words is available on the OED website, each accompanied by definitions and pronunciations.
Here is the full list of the 22 additions to the OED:
419
Abi
Adire
Agbero
Area Boy
Cross-carpet
Cross-carpeting
Eba
Edo
Gele
Jand (noun)
Jand (verb)
Janded
Japa (noun)
Japa (verb)
Kanuri
Kobo
Naija
Suya
Yahoo
Yahoo Boy
Yarn Dust
The OED in its January 2020 update simlarly added 29 Nigerian words and expressions.
OED said some of the words are borrowed while others are coinages.
Here is a list of the words in the 2020 update:
agric, adj. and n.: “Of, relating to, or used in agriculture; = agricultural adj. Now chiefly West African.”
barbing salon, n.: “A barber’s shop.”
buka, n.: “A roadside restaurant or street stall with a seating area, selling cooked food at low prices. Cf. bukateria n., mama put n. Frequently as a modifier…”
bukateria, n.: “A roadside restaurant or street stall with a seating area, selling cooked food at low prices. Cf. buka n., mama put n.”
chop, v.6, Additions: “transitive. Ghanaian English and Nigerian English. To acquire (money) quickly and easily. Frequently in negative sense: to misappropriate, extort, or…”
chop-chop, n.2: “Bribery and corruption in public life; misappropriation or embezzlement of funds. Also as a modifier.”
danfo, n.: “A yellow minibus that carries passengers for a fare as part of an informal transport system in Lagos, the largest city in Nigeria. Also as a…”
to eat money, in eat, v., Additions: “Now chiefly Nigerian English and East African. to eat money: to acquire money dishonestly; to misappropriate, extort, or embezzle funds. Cf. chop v.6…”
ember months, n.: “The final four months of the calendar year (September to December), esp. considered together as a period of heightened or intense activity.”
flag-off, n.: “The moment at which a race, esp. a motor race, is flagged off (see flag v.4 additions a); the start of a race. Now chiefly Indian English and…”
flag, v.4, Additions: “to flag off. transitive (usually in passive). To direct (a driver) to start a motor race, esp. one in which the competitors start at intervals, by…”
flag, v.4, Additions: “to flag off. transitive. Indian English and Nigerian English. In extended use: to start (an event or undertaking).”
gist, n.3, Additions: “Nigerian English. Idle chat, gossip. Also: an instance of this, a rumour or piece of gossip.”
gist, v.2: “transitive. To reduce (a text, document, etc.) to its essence or gist; to condense, summarize, or précis.”
guber, adj.: “Of or relating to a governor or governorship; = gubernatorial adj.”
Kannywood, n.: “The Nigerian Hausa-language film industry, based in Kano; Kano regarded as the centre of this industry. Cf. Nollywood n.”
K-leg, n.: “In singular and plural. A condition in which one or both of a person’s knees are turned inwards, resulting in a noticeable gap between the feet when…”
mama put, n.: “A street vendor, typically a woman, selling cooked food at low prices from a handcart or stall. Also: a street stall or roadside restaurant run by…”
next tomorrow, n. and adv.: “The day after tomorrow.”
non-indigene, adj. and n.: “Not native. In later use chiefly West African: belonging to an ethnic group considered not to be indigenous to a particular area.”
okada, n.: “In Nigeria: a motorcycle which passengers can use as a taxi service.”
to put to bed in put, v.: “West African. to put to bed: to give birth. Also: to give birth to (a child).”
qualitative, adj., sense 3: “West African. Of high quality; excellent.”
to rub minds in rub, v.1: “to rub minds (together): (of two or more people) to consider a matter jointly; to consult and work together; to confer. Similarly to rub our (also…”
sef, adv.: “Used for emphasis after a statement or rhetorical question, often expressing irritation or impatience.”
send-forth, n.: “A celebration or event to mark a person’s departure; a send-off. Frequently as a modifier, as send-forth ceremony, send-forth party, etc.”
severally, adv., Additions: “East African and West African. On several occasions; repeatedly.”
tokunbo, adj.: “Denoting an imported second-hand product, esp. a car.”
zone, v.
zoning, n., Additions: “Nigerian English. The system or practice of allocating nominations for certain political offices to candidates from particular regions, as part of an…”