#Oxford English Dictionary Adds 22 Nigerian Words, Showcasing Cultural Richness

The Oxford English Dictionary (OED) has included 22 Nigerian English words in its latest update, reflecting the unique cultural expressions and linguistic creativity of Nigeria.

This milestone was announced by Dr. Kingsley Ugwuanyi, a consultant on World Englishes/Nigerian English to the OED, through a LinkedIn post. Dr. Ugwuanyi expressed his excitement, stating, “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.”

Dr. Ugwuanyi played a significant role in drafting many of the words and providing their pronunciations. “When you explore the OED online and click on the pronunciations, you’ll hear my voice bringing these words to life,” he added.

The newly added words cover various aspects of Nigerian life, including culture, food, slang, and socio-political terminologies. Some of the terms include:

• 419: Refers to fraud, named after the Nigerian criminal code section addressing fraudulent activities.
• Agbero: Describes a tout at car parks and bus stops who collects money from drivers and ushers passengers onto vehicles.
• Japa: Means to flee or emigrate, commonly used in conversations about relocating abroad.
• Suya: A popular Nigerian spiced meat skewer.

Dr. Ugwuanyi also expressed gratitude to Danica Salazar, the World Englishes Editor, and the OED team, for their collaborative effort in achieving this milestone.

Full List of Nigerian Words Added to the OED:

1. 419
2. Abi
3. Adire
4. Agbero
5. Area Boy
6. Cross-carpet
7. Cross-carpeting
8. Eba
9. Edo
10. Gele
11. Jand (noun)
12. Jand (verb)
13. Janded
14. Japa (noun)
15. Japa (verb)
16. Kanuri
17. Kobo
18. Naija
19. Suya
20. Yahoo
21. Yahoo Boy
22. Yarn Dust

These additions highlight the growing influence of Nigerian English in global linguistics and celebrate the rich cultural tapestry of Nigeria. Definitions and pronunciations for the words are available on the OED website.