20 Nigerian Slangs Included In Oxford Dictionary Update

The Oxford English Dictionary (OED) has added 20 new Nigerian words and expressions to its latest update, marking the global influence of Nigerian culture and language.

Some of the newly included terms include popular words like “japa,” “agbero,” “eba,” “419,” and “abi.” These words, frequently used in daily conversations across Nigeria, showcase a blend of Pidgin English, street slang, and cultural expressions that are unique to the country.

Notably, words like “japa” and “jand” have been included in both noun and verb forms in the dictionary. Pronunciation guides have also been added to help non-Nigerians pronounce these words correctly. Kingsley Ugwuanyi, a Nigerian English consultant to the OED, shared the news on LinkedIn and expressed his pride in helping draft the entries and record the pronunciations.

Ugwuanyi wrote, “I’m thrilled to announce that the Oxford English Dictionary 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 also revealed that users can hear his voice in the pronunciation guides for the new words.

Some of the definitions for the new terms include:

– “Japa”: The act of Nigerians emigrating to other countries, especially Europe or North America, for education, employment, or better economic opportunities.

– “Agbero”: A tout, typically found at car parks and bus stops, who helps passengers and collects fees from drivers.

– “419”: Refers to fraud, often involving advance payment scams, frequently carried out via the internet.

Other terms included are “abi,” “adire” (batik), “areaboy” (lout), “eba,” “gele” (headgear), “jand” (to travel abroad), “suya” (grilled meat), “Yahooboy” (internet fraudster), and “YarnDust” (to talk nonsense).

The inclusion of these terms highlights the growing recognition of Nigerian English as a dynamic and influential variant of the English language. It also serves as a celebration of Nigeria’s rich linguistic and cultural heritage on the global stage.
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