The Oxford English Dictionary (OED) has added several
Nigerian-originated words to its glossary, including “mammy market,”
“amala,” and “moi moi,” further underscoring the growing global
influence of Nigerian language and culture.
The December 2025 update, released on Wednesday on the
OED website, introduced more than 500 new words, phrases, and word forms, while
over 1,000 existing entries were revised.
Other Nigerian-derived words added in the update
include “abeg,” “biko,” “nyash,” and “Ghana Must Go.” Internet
slang such as “DM,” “brainfart,” and “chug” also made the list.
According to the editors, the update draws from
varieties of English used around the world, including West African English,
Maltese English, Japanese English, and South Korean English, reflecting the
expanding global footprint of non-native English varieties.
Among the additions is “Afrobeats,” defined as
“a style of popular music incorporating elements of West African music and of
jazz, soul, and funk.”
The dictionary defines “abeg” as an
interjection used to express a range of emotions depending on context,
including surprise, disbelief, and exasperation. “Biko,” originally from
the Igbo language, is described as an adverb and interjection used in polite
requests or agreements, or to add polite emphasis or urgency, meaning “please.”
“Nyash” is defined as “a
person’s (especially a woman’s) buttocks; the bottom, the backside.”
The term “Ghana Must Go” was recognised as the
popular name for the large, chequered plastic bags widely used across West
Africa. The expression traces its origin to the 1983 mass expulsion of
undocumented Ghanaian migrants from Nigeria and is defined as “a large,
zippered bag made of durable plastic with a colourful check pattern, often used
for carrying personal belongings.”
The OED also included “mammy market,” defined
as “a market typically run by women, originally found in military barracks but
later also in youth service camps and educational institutions.”
In the category of cuisine, “amala” was added
and defined as “a kind of dough made of yam, cassava, or unripe plantain flour,
typically formed into a ball and served as an accompaniment to other dishes.”
Another culinary entry, “moi moi,” was described as a dish originating
among the Yoruba people, “consisting of beans ground into a smooth paste, mixed
with peppers, onions, and other ingredients.”
The latest update reflects the continued global
recognition of Nigeria’s language, food, and cultural expressions.
In January 2025, the OED expanded its lexicon with 20
Nigerian words and expressions, highlighting the influence of Nigerian English,
Pidgin, and street slang. These included everyday terms such as “japa,”
“agbero,” and “eba,” as well as entries like “419,” referring
to internet fraud, and “abi,” a common conversational tag.
Earlier additions in 2024 featured words such as “japa,”
“adire,” “kobo,” “naija,” and “suya,” while 29 Nigerian
words—including “danfo,” “okada,” “next tomorrow,” and “mama put”—were
added in 2020.
The complete list of newly added entries in the
December update also included African-origin words such as “abrokyire,”
“adowa,” “ampesi,” “benachin,” “domoda,” “kpanlogo,” “nawetan,” “obroni,”
and “poda-poda.”
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