The Oxford English Dictionary has added 20 Nigerian words and expressions to its latest update.
Popular terms like “japa,” “agbero,” “eba,” and “419” are now officially recognized, alongside others such as “abi,” “suya,” and “yahoo.” These words capture everyday Nigerian experiences, Pidgin English, and cultural nuances.
“Japa” is defined as “the emigration of Nigerians to other countries, especially in search of education, employment, or better opportunities.” Meanwhile, “agbero” refers to a tout who assists passengers and collects money at bus stops.
“Yahoo” is described as internet fraud, particularly scams that involve advance payments for services never delivered, often repeated as “yahoo yahoo.”
Kingsley Ugwuanyi, a Nigerian English consultant for the OED, shared his excitement on LinkedIn about contributing to the project.
“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,” Ugwuanyi wrote.
He also provided pronunciation guides for these words to help non-Nigerians pronounce them correctly.
Full List of Words Added
Here’s the complete list of newly added Nigerian words:
– 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
