Oxford English Dictionary Adds Japa, Gele, Yahoo boy and 19 Other Nigerian Word

The Oxford English Dictionary (OED) has officially recognized 22 Nigerian words and expressions in its latest update.

This milestone marks the growing influence of Nigerian English, which incorporates elements of Pidgin, urban slang, and local dialects, contributing uniquely to the global English lexicon.

In a LinkedIn post, Kingsley Ugwuanyi, a Nigerian English consultant to the OED, shared the exciting news of this addition. He expressed his pride in contributing to the dictionary’s latest update, which features words that reflect Nigeria’s diverse culture and expressions. Ugwuanyi remarked:

“The wait is over! I’m thrilled to announce that the Oxford English Dictionary (OED) 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 as Nigerians.”

Ugwuanyi emphasized the collaborative efforts that led to this achievement, inviting Nigerians to share their favorite words from the list and suggest additional terms for future updates.

The Newly Added Words

Here is a comprehensive list of the 22 Nigerian words now officially included in the OED:

1. 419 – A term referring to fraud or scam.
2. Abi – An expression used to seek confirmation or agreement.
3. Adire – A traditional dyed cloth made in Nigeria.
4. Agbero – A young man who works as a tout at car parks and bus stations.
5. Area Boy – A term for a young man associated with street culture.
6. Cross-carpet – The act of changing political allegiance.
7. Cross-carpeting – The act of switching political sides.
8. Eba – A starchy staple food made from cassava.
9. Edo – Refers to the ethnic group or language spoken by the Edo people.
10. Gele – A traditional headwrap worn by women in Nigeria.
11. Jand (noun) – Slang for the United Kingdom.
12. Jand (verb) – To travel or migrate to the UK.
13. Janded (adjective) – Describing someone who has returned from abroad, particularly from the UK.
14. Japa (noun) – A term for fleeing or escaping, often used in the context of emigration.
15. Japa (verb) – To leave or migrate abroad for better opportunities.
16. Kanuri – Refers to an ethnic group primarily found in northeastern Nigeria and parts of Chad and Niger.
17. Kobo – The subunit of currency in Nigeria; 100 kobo equals 1 naira.
18. Naija – A colloquial term for Nigeria or Nigerian culture.
19. Suya – A popular spicy meat skewer dish.
20. Yahoo – Slang for internet fraudsters, often associated with cybercrime.
21. Yahoo Boy – A person who engages in internet fraud, typically targeting foreign nationals.
22. Yarn Dust – To tell exaggerated stories or tall tales.

This update is part of the OED’s ongoing effort to document the dynamic changes in global language use. The inclusion of Nigerian words, particularly those drawn from Pidgin and other regional dialects, is a clear recognition of Nigeria’s cultural impact on the world’s linguistic landscape.

The 2023 update follows the previous inclusion of Nigerian terms in 2020, such as “danfo” (public transport bus), “okada” (motorcycle taxi), “next tomorrow”, and “mama put” (local food vendor). With the addition of these 22 new words, the total number of Nigerian terms in the OED has now reached 57.