Oxford Dictionary Adds 20 Nigerian Words, Including ‘Japa’ and ‘Agbero’
The Oxford English Dictionary (OED) has expanded its collection by including 20 Nigerian words and expressions in its latest update, highlighting the growing global recognition of Nigerian English and culture.
Among the newly added entries are commonly used terms like “japa,” “agbero,” “eba,” “419,” and “abi,” reflecting Nigeria’s vibrant linguistic diversity, Pidgin English, and street slang.
Notably, words such as “japa” and “jand” appear as both nouns and verbs, and pronunciation guides have been included to help non-Nigerians pronounce them accurately.
Kingsley Ugwuanyi, a Nigerian English consultant for the OED, shared the announcement on LinkedIn, expressing pride in his role in drafting the words and recording their pronunciations.
“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 wrote.
He added, “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’ll hear my voice bringing these words to life.”
Key Highlights of the Newly Added Words:
– Japa: Defined as “the emigration of Nigerians to other countries (especially in Europe or North America) in search of further education, employment, or economic opportunity.”
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– Agbero: Described as “a person (usually a boy or young man) who works as a tout, typically at car parks and bus stops, collecting money from passengers and drivers, and ushering passengers onto vehicles.”
– 419: Defined as “fraud (now usually perpetrated on the internet) involving requests for advance payment in return for a substantial share of a large amount of money, which ultimately is never given.”
Complete List of Newly Added Words:
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, verb)
12. Janded (adjective)
13. Japa (noun, verb)
14. Kanuri
15. Kobo
16. Naija
17. Suya
18. Yahoo
19. Yahoo boy
20. Yarn dust
The inclusion of these words underscores the global influence of Nigerian culture and language, enriching the English lexicon with unique expressions that reflect the creativity and vibrancy of Nigerian life.
