The Oxford English Dictionary (OED) has announced the inclusion of Nigerian and West African words and expressions in its global lexicon.
According to OED in a statement confirmed the addition of twenty-four new words from Nigeria and Ghana, its two largest English-speaking countries, as well as from Gambia, Liberia, and Sierra Leone.
The newly added words include Abeg, Ghana Must Go, Biko, Akpanlogo, Nyash, Mammy Market, and Moi Moi, among others, reflecting the growing influence of West African English on the global stage.
Many of these words serve multiple grammatical functions, including as nouns, verbs, and adverbs.
For example, “Obroni” is both a noun, first recorded in 1918, and an adjective, commonly applied to foreigners, in 1975.
Bend down (and) select, coined in 2006, refers to second-hand clothing and functions as both a noun and a verb.
