’‘Japa,’ ‘Suya,’ ‘Agbero,’ Among 20 Nigerian Words Added To Oxford Dictionary [Full List]

The Oxford English Dictionary (OED) has added 20 Nigerian words and expressions to its latest update, further cementing the global influence of Nigerian English and Pidgin.

The newly included entries, such as Japa, 419, abi, agbero, area boy, yahoo boy, and suya, reflect the vibrant cultural, linguistic, and social landscape of Nigeria.

Some of the words serve multiple grammatical purposes, such as Japa, which means “to flee or escape,” listed as both a noun and a verb.

The full list of the newly added words includes:

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