By using this site, you agree to the Privacy Policy and Terms & Conditions.
Accept
Okay.ngOkay.ngOkay.ng
Font ResizerAa
  • News
    • Politics
  • Entertainment
  • Business & Economy
  • Sport
  • Tech
Reading: Oxford English Dictionary gets update, 29 Nigerian words added [Full List]
Share
Font ResizerAa
Okay.ngOkay.ng
  • News
  • Entertainment
  • Business & Economy
  • Sport
  • Tech
Search
  • News
    • Politics
  • Entertainment
  • Business & Economy
  • Sport
  • Tech
Follow US
  • About Okay.ng
  • Advertising on Okay.ng
  • Contact Okay.ng
  • Careers
  • Meet the Team behind Okay.ng
  • Ownership and Funding of Okay.ng
  • Editorial Principles at Okay.ng
© OKN MEDIA PUBLISHING 2022 - All rights reserved
Education

Oxford English Dictionary gets update, 29 Nigerian words added [Full List]

Promise Amadi
By Promise Amadi
Published: January 21, 2020
Share
6 Min Read
The Oxford English Dictionary
The Oxford English Dictionary
SHARE

Oxford English Dictionary has gotten an update for January 2020 with also the inclusion of 29 Nigerian words and expressions.

Okay.ng understands that some of the Nigerian words added are Okada, Danfo, Mama Put, Agric, Barbing Salon, Gist, Kannywood among others.

Danica Salazar, Oxford English Dictionary’s World English Editor, in a statement said “The majority of these new additions are either borrowings from Nigerian languages, or unique Nigerian coinages that have only begun to be used in English in the second half of the twentieth century, mostly in the 1970s and 1980s.”

Here is the full list of 29 Nigerian words added to the latest update of the Oxford English Dictionary:

- Advertisement -

agric, adj. and n.: “Of, relating to, or used in agriculture; = agricultural adj. Now chiefly West African.”

barbing salon, n.: “A barber’s shop.”

buka, n.: “A roadside restaurant or street stall with a seating area, selling cooked food at low prices. Cf. bukateria n., mama put n. Frequently as a modifier…”

bukateria, n.: “A roadside restaurant or street stall with a seating area, selling cooked food at low prices. Cf. buka n., mama put n.”

- Advertisement -

chop, v.6, Additions: “transitive. Ghanaian English and Nigerian English. To acquire (money) quickly and easily. Frequently in negative sense: to misappropriate, extort, or…”

chop-chop, n.2: “Bribery and corruption in public life; misappropriation or embezzlement of funds. Also as a modifier.”

danfo, n.: “A yellow minibus that carries passengers for a fare as part of an informal transport system in Lagos, the largest city in Nigeria. Also as a…”

to eat money, in eat, v., Additions: “Now chiefly Nigerian English and East African. to eat money: to acquire money dishonestly; to misappropriate, extort, or embezzle funds. Cf. chop v.6…”

ember months, n.: “The final four months of the calendar year (September to December), esp. considered together as a period of heightened or intense activity.”

flag-off, n.: “The moment at which a race, esp. a motor race, is flagged off (see flag v.4 additions a); the start of a race. Now chiefly Indian English and…”

flag, v.4, Additions: “to flag off. transitive (usually in passive). To direct (a driver) to start a motor race, esp. one in which the competitors start at intervals, by…”

flag, v.4, Additions: “to flag off. transitive. Indian English and Nigerian English. In extended use: to start (an event or undertaking).”

gist, n.3, Additions: “Nigerian English. Idle chat, gossip. Also: an instance of this, a rumour or piece of gossip.”

gist, v.2: “transitive. To reduce (a text, document, etc.) to its essence or gist; to condense, summarize, or précis.”

guber, adj.: “Of or relating to a governor or governorship; = gubernatorial adj.”

Kannywood, n.: “The Nigerian Hausa-language film industry, based in Kano; Kano regarded as the centre of this industry. Cf. Nollywood n.”

K-leg, n.: “In singular and plural. A condition in which one or both of a person’s knees are turned inwards, resulting in a noticeable gap between the feet when…”

mama put, n.: “A street vendor, typically a woman, selling cooked food at low prices from a handcart or stall. Also: a street stall or roadside restaurant run by…”

next tomorrow, n. and adv.: “The day after tomorrow.”

non-indigene, adj. and n.: “Not native. In later use chiefly West African: belonging to an ethnic group considered not to be indigenous to a particular area.”

okada, n.: “In Nigeria: a motorcycle which passengers can use as a taxi service.”

to put to bed in put, v.: “West African. to put to bed: to give birth. Also: to give birth to (a child).”

qualitative, adj., sense 3: “West African. Of high quality; excellent.”

to rub minds in rub, v.1: “to rub minds (together): (of two or more people) to consider a matter jointly; to consult and work together; to confer. Similarly to rub our (also…”

sef, adv.: “Used for emphasis after a statement or rhetorical question, often expressing irritation or impatience.”

send-forth, n.: “A celebration or event to mark a person’s departure; a send-off. Frequently as a modifier, as send-forth ceremony, send-forth party, etc.”

severally, adv., Additions: “East African and West African. On several occasions; repeatedly.”

tokunbo, adj.: “Denoting an imported second-hand product, esp. a car.”

zone, v.

zoning, n., Additions: “Nigerian English. The system or practice of allocating nominations for certain political offices to candidates from particular regions, as part of an…”

Stay Updated on the Go with Our Latest News—Join Our WhatsApp Channel Now!
TAGGED:NigeriaNigerian wordsOxford English Dictionary
Share This Article
Facebook Whatsapp Whatsapp Telegram Email Copy Link Print
ByPromise Amadi
News Reporter
Follow:
Amadi Promise is an Assistant Senior Editor at Okay Nigeria (Okay.ng) who handles Sports & Educational sections. He loves sharing what he knows and also learns from others. Promise is also an Android developer at Rad5 Tech Hub.
Previous Article Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri Supreme Court affirms Fintiri’s election as Adamawa Governor
Next Article DJ Khaled and wife, Nicole Tuck Another One! DJ Khaled welcomes second child

Connect with Okay on Social

FacebookLike
XFollow
InstagramFollow
TelegramFollow

Dollar/Naira Rates

Dollar to Naira Rate

Okay.ng Logo
Buy Rate ₦1,560.00
Sell Rate ₦1,570.00

Updated: 1 day ago

Displayed rates are for informational purposes only and are subject to change.

Quick Converter

- Advertisement -
- Advertisement -
Ad imageAd image
- Advertisement -
Ad imageAd image

Recent Posts

Nigerian Troops Neutralize Terror Kingpin Mai Dada, Recover Arms in Multi-Region Operations
Security
NNPP Welcomes Possibility of Rabiu Kwankwaso Joining APC Amidst Ganduje’s Resignation
News
Tinubu’s State Visit to Saint Lucia Marks Historic Diplomatic and Cultural Engagement, Presidency Clarifies
International News
President Bola Tinubu Suspends Implementation of Financial Reporting Council Amendment Act 2023
News
Aminu Dantata to be Buried in Madinah After Saudi Approval
News
- Advertisement -
Ad imageAd image

You May Also Like

CrimeVideo

VIDEO: NDLEA Issues Strong Advisory to Travellers Against Carrying Unknown Bags

Oluwadara Akingbohungbe
Oluwadara Akingbohungbe
June 29, 2025
News

SERAP Demands Transparency from Nigeria’s Governors on Security Vote Spending

Oluwadara Akingbohungbe
Oluwadara Akingbohungbe
June 29, 2025
NewsSecurity

Security Situation Improving, CDS Urges Continued Support from Nigerians

Oluwadara Akingbohungbe
Oluwadara Akingbohungbe
June 29, 2025
Okay.ngOkay.ng
Follow US
© OKN MEDIA PUBLISHING 2025 - All rights reserved
  • About Okay.ng
  • Advertising on Okay.ng
  • Contact Okay.ng
  • Careers
  • Meet the Team behind Okay.ng
  • Ownership and Funding of Okay.ng
  • Editorial Principles at Okay.ng
adbanner
Welcome Back!

Sign in to your account

Username or Email Address
Password

Lost your password?