The Oxford English Dictionary (OED) has incorporated a fresh set of Nigerian terms into its lexicon, offering a global audience an opportunity to explore the country’s vibrant cultural heritage.
The new additions reflect the everyday experiences of Nigerians, capturing the lively street expressions and Pidgin English that are rapidly gaining traction across Africa and beyond.
Representing various ethnic groups and demographic segments, the newly added words also showcase Nigeria’s rich cultural diversity. Among the entries are Japa, 419, agbero, abi, area boy, yahoo boy, yahoo, Edo, Kanuri, jand, cross-carpet, kobo, naija, and suya.
Some of the terms feature both noun and verb forms. For example, Japa is recognised as both a noun and a verb, while jand also appears in both parts of speech. The entries come with pronunciations, making it easier for non-Nigerians interested in learning these expressions.
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Dr Kingsley Ugwuanyi, a consultant for OED and the voice behind the pronunciations, explained to The Guardian that the editors selected words based on their frequency, widespread usage, recency (typically within the last 10 years), and their social significance.
“The criteria include frequency, widespread use, age (generally words that have been in use for zero to 10 years), and the social significance of the words,” Ugwuanyi elaborated.
Sharing the update on LinkedIn, Ugwuanyi expressed his pride: “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.”
In 2020, the OED added 29 words specific to Nigeria, including danfo, okada, next tomorrow, and mama put.
