The Oxford English Dictionary (OED) has embraced the vibrant linguistic culture of Nigeria, adding 20 Nigerian words and expressions in its latest update.
These new entries, including japa, agbero, eba, 419, and abi, reflect the rich diversity of Nigerian Pidgin, street slang, and cultural expressions, marking a significant milestone for Nigerian English on the global stage.
Among the additions, japa is defined as the emigration of Nigerians in pursuit of opportunities abroad, while agbero refers to a tout, often seen at bus stops and motor parks, facilitating passenger movement and collecting fares. Meanwhile, 419 is a widely recognized term for fraudulent activities, particularly online scams.
Notably, some words, like japa and jand, function as both nouns and verbs, highlighting their linguistic versatility.
To aid non-Nigerians in pronunciation, the OED has included audio guides, voiced by Nigerian English consultant Kingsley Ugwuanyi.
Announcing the update on LinkedIn, Ugwuanyi expressed pride in his role, saying, “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.”
He added that he personally recorded the pronunciations, allowing his voice to bring the words to life.
The complete list of newly added Nigerian words is as follows:
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
This update underscores the growing global recognition of Nigerian English and its profound cultural significance, opening the door for more local expressions to find their place in international discourse.
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