The Oxford English Dictionary (OED) has embraced Nigerian culture by adding 20 Nigerian words and expressions to its latest update, reflecting the nation’s linguistic diversity and global influence.
The newly inducted terms include popular expressions like “japa,” “agbero,” “eba,” “419,” and “abi,” all deeply entrenched in the daily lives of Nigerians. These entries, derived from Pidgin English, street slang, and cultural vernacular, signify Nigeria’s growing impact on global lexicons.
Notably, words like “japa” and “jand” appear as both nouns and verbs in the dictionary, with pronunciation guides provided to help non-Nigerians articulate them correctly.
Nigerian English consultant to the OED, Kingsley Ugwuanyi, shared the update on LinkedIn, expressing his excitement about drafting the entries and recording their pronunciations.
“I’m thrilled to announce that the OED has officially published its latest updates, featuring an amazing collection of Nigerian English words that beautifully reflect Nigeria’s culture, creativity, and unique ways of expression. It was an incredible opportunity to provide the pronunciations, and when you explore the OED online, you’ll hear my voice bringing these words to life,” Ugwuanyi wrote.
Some highlights of the entries include:
- Japa: Defined as “the emigration of Nigerians to other countries, especially in search of further education, employment, or economic opportunities.”
- Agbero: Described as “a tout who works at car parks and bus stops, collecting money from passengers and drivers while ushering people onto vehicles.”
- 419: Defined as “internet fraud involving advance payment scams, such as 419 emails and 419 scams.”
Other additions include abi, adire, area boy, cross-carpet, eba, gele, Naija, suya, Yahoo boy, and yarn dust, among others, emphasizing Nigeria’s vibrant culture and linguistic creativity.
This milestone highlights Nigeria’s growing influence in global conversations and the recognition of its unique contributions to the English language.