Gradually, Nigerian pidgin is gaining popularity or should we say, acceptance.
You see, within the few years under the President Tinubu regime, new words have emerged.
Many of these, often used by Nigerians to describe the situation of things in the country, have been added to the Oxford English Dictionary (OED).
Oxford has expanded its repertoire with 20 Nigerian words and expressions in its latest update.
Indeed, this latest development showcases the rich linguistic and cultural heritage of Nigeria.
Prominent additions include commonly used terms like “japa,” “agbero,” “eba,” “Suya,” “419,” and “abi,” among others.
Some terms, such as “japa” and “jand,” have been classified as both nouns and verbs in the dictionary, with pronunciation guides included to help non-Nigerians articulate them correctly.
Notable Definitions
Japa: Defined as “the emigration of Nigerians to other countries, especially in Europe or North America, in pursuit of education, employment, or economic opportunities”.
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Agbero: Described as “a tout, typically at car parks or bus stops, collecting money from passengers and drivers while ushering passengers onto vehicles”.
419: Defined as “fraud, usually conducted online, involving requests for advance payment in return for a share of a large sum of money that is never delivered.”
Find full list of Nigerian languages included in the latest Oxford English Dictionary:
– 419
– Abi
– Adire
– Agbero
– Area boy
– Cross-carpet
– Cross-carpeting
– Eba
– Edo
– Gele
– Jand (noun, verb)
– Janded (adjective)
– Japa (noun, verb)
– Kanu
– Kobo
– Naija
– Suya
– Yahoo
– Yahoo boy
– Yarn Dust
