New Nigerian Words Enter Oxford English Dictionary, Showcasing Rich Cultural Heritage
The Oxford English Dictionary (OED) has expanded its vocabulary with the addition of several Nigerian words, offering the global community an opportunity to delve into the vibrant cultural tapestry of Nigeria. These new entries highlight aspects of daily life, street slang, and the widespread use of Pidgin English, which continues to gain traction across Africa and beyond.
The newly added words encompass Nigeria's ethnic diversity and demographic uniqueness, reflecting the nation's rich linguistic and cultural heritage. Among the latest additions are terms like japa, 419, agbero, abi, area boy, yahoo boy, yahoo, Edo, Kanuri, jand, cross-carpet, kobo, Naija, and suya. These words are emblematic of Nigeria’s distinctive societal expressions and have now earned recognition on a global linguistic platform.
Some of these entries serve dual grammatical roles, appearing as both nouns and verbs. For example, japa—a term commonly used to describe fleeing or escaping—is listed in both forms. Similarly, jand, a colloquial term for traveling abroad (often to the United Kingdom), also functions as both a noun and a verb. To assist non-Nigerians interested in mastering these terms, the dictionary includes phonetic pronunciations.
Dr. Kingsley Ugwuanyi, a consultant for the OED and voice contributor, revealed to The Guardian that the dictionary’s editors relied on corpora to identify words with significant usage across Nigeria. “The criteria include frequency, widespread use, age (generally words in use for 0–10 years), and social significance,” he explained.
In a LinkedIn post announcing the update, Dr. Ugwuanyi expressed pride in his role: “This time, I not only drafted most of the words but also had the incredible opportunity to provide their pronunciations. So, when you explore the OED online and click on the pronunciations, you will hear my voice bringing these words to life.”
This is not the first time Nigerian expressions have made their way into the OED. In 2020, the dictionary incorporated 29 uniquely Nigerian entries, including terms like danfo (a public bus), okada (a commercial motorcycle), next tomorrow (the day after tomorrow), and mama put (a roadside food vendor).
The continued inclusion of Nigerian terms in the OED underscores the growing global recognition of the country’s linguistic and cultural influence. These entries not only celebrate Nigeria’s diversity but also introduce the world to its rich heritage and dynamic lexicon.
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