The Oxford English Dictionary (OED) has added 20 Nigerian words and expressions in its latest update.
The new entries include words and expressions like Naija, kobo, yahoo boy, japa, agbero, eba, 419, and “abi,” among others.
Consultant to the Oxford English Dictionary, Mr Kingsley Ugwuanyi, disclosed the update on a social media handle.
He said he did not only draft most of the words but also provided 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.
“This time, I not only drafted most of the words but also had the incredible opportunity to provide their hashtag#pronunciations! So, when you explore the OED online and click on the pronunciations, you’ll hear my hashtag#voice bringing these words to life,” he said.
Here is the complete list: 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 and yarn dust.
The words, deeply rooted in the everyday lives of Nigerians, highlight the influence of Pidgin English, street slang, and cultural expressions that are increasingly gaining global recognition.
Pronunciation guides have also been provided to assist non-Nigerians in accurately articulating the words.
Among the entries, “japa” is defined as “the emigration of Nigerians to other countries (esp. those in Europe or North America) in search of further education, employment, or economic opportunity.”
“Agbero” is described as “a person (usually a boy or young man) who works as a tout, typically at car parks and bus stops, collecting money from passengers and drivers, and ushering passengers onto vehicles. “
The term “419,” widely known in Nigeria, is defined 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. Frequently as a modifier, as in 419 email, 419 scam, etc. Cf. yahoo n.2”
The update is part of the OED’s quarterly review, which keeps the dictionary in tune with the ever-changing nature of the English language.
This inclusion builds on a similar addition in 2020 when the dictionary included 29 Nigerian words, such as danfo, okada, next tomorrow, and mama put—the first significant inclusion of Nigerian words since the OED’s inception in 1884.
These are in addition to at least 57 Nigerian words already in the dictionary.
The global dictionary described Nigerian Pidgin as a rich source of new words. It highlighted Nigeria’s unique contribution to global English, with most additions being borrowings or coinages from the 1970s and 1980s.
