The Oxford English Dictionary (OED) has recently enriched its lexicon by incorporating 20 Nigerian words and expressions, reflecting the dynamic nature of Nigerian English and its growing global influence. This update underscores Nigeria’s cultural diversity and the unique contributions of its colloquialisms to the English language.
The newly added Nigerian words are:
- 419
- abi
- adire
- agbero
- area boy
- cross-carpet
- cross-carpeting
- eba
- Edo
- gele
- jand
- janded
- japa
- Kanuri
- kobo
- Naija
- suya
- yahoo
- yahoo boy
- yarn dust
These terms span various aspects of Nigerian life, from culinary delights like “eba” and “suya” to colloquialisms such as “japa” and “yahoo boy.” Their inclusion in the OED highlights the global recognition of Nigerian English and its impact on contemporary language.
Kingsley Ugwuanyi, a Nigerian English consultant to the OED, played a pivotal role in this update. He expressed his excitement on LinkedIn and noted, “I’m thrilled to announce that the Oxford English Dictionary has officially published its latest updates, featuring a fantastic collection of Nigerian English words that beautifully reflect Nigeria’s culture, creativity, and the unique ways we express ourselves as Nigerians.”
This development followed a similar update in 2020 when the OED added 29 Nigerian words, including “danfo,” “okada,” and “mama put,” marking a significant acknowledgement of Nigerian English since the dictionary’s inception in 1884.
The OED’s recognition of these terms highlights the dynamic evolution of language and the significant role Nigerian English plays in enriching global English vocabulary.
