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Top 10 Words Nigerians Use That Aren’t In The Dictionary - Education - Nairaland

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Top 10 Words Nigerians Use That Aren’t In The Dictionary by girlfromafrica: 8:54pm On Oct 22, 2018
There are some words that Nigerians use often but which do not exist in the any authoritative dictionary. Usually, when you type these words on Microsoft word and social media chat software, a red line appears underneath them immediately. Yeah, it's true that English is not our native language but then again, it is our official language until some future government decides that the Nigerian Pidgin English or even Swahili is worth considering as an official language. Until then, it's important for us to get the English language right.

Without further ado, let's take a look at some words Nigerian use that aren't found in any English dictionary ever written.

#1 Plumpy
This word is often used by Nigerians to describe a chubby or slightly fat person. "She is very plumpy" you might hear them say. However, the correct word is plump.

#2 Disvirgin
This word is used several times daily, by many people, especially by Nigerian men. "Disvirgin" as a word is used  to describe a lady who has lost her virginity to a man. The correct expression to use is 'deflower'. ‘Disvirgin’ is not a word and cannot be found in any dictionary...yet.

#3 Installmentally
This word doesn’t exist in any dictionary, though it is a Nigerian favorite. It even has this ring to it! However, the right thing to say when you want to say ‘installmentally’ is 'in installments'.

#4 Crosscarpeting
Politicians and political analysts in Nigeria use this term a lot. This term is used when a politician leaves his party for a new one, usually, to the opposing party. To describe this event correctly, the right terms to use are party switching, crossing the floor, or defection.

#5 Go-slow
This word actually exists but Nigerians use it wrongly.  Go-slow is when workers intentionally reduce activity, efficiency and productivity as a means to press home their demands. In other words, a go-slow can happen in an organization, office or a factory. But Nigerians use this term to refer to slow moving traffic. The correct word to use is hold-up, traffic jam, traffic congestion, gridlock but definitely not ‘go-slow’. Then again, if you're stuck in a Lagos gridlock, I bet that correct English might be the last thing on your mind! Try sha.

#6 Cunny
This  word is used by Nigerians to describe someone who is crafty, deceitful and two-faced.  This word has been used in many tales about Mbe the tortoise and his cunning acts. However, the right word here is 'cunning' not cunny as you wouldn't find ‘cunny’ in most authoritative dictionaries.

#7 Pepperish
This word is commonly used by Nigerians to describe very spicy food, especially when the food seems to burn one’s tongue. The right word for it though is 'peppery' not pepperish as. Some even opt for the word 'spicy' which is a much better option.

#8 Opportuned
You get to hear someone say “I was not opportuned to attend the event”. However, the correct word is 'opportune', because it has no past tense. So you are opportune to know that 'opportuned' is not a word in the dictionary.

#9 Wake-keeping
This term is used by Nigerians to describe an evening event organized for the death of a loved one in Nigeria. ‘Wake-keeping’, or ‘wake-keep’  doesn’t exist in the dictionary. In fact it is simply known as "Wake" otito!

#10 Screen-touch
This term is used by Nigerians to describe an android device which is capable of being operated via its screen. The white people named these devices ‘touchscreen’ but Nigerians renamed it to ‘screentouch’.

Nigerian English when spoken correctly is music to the ears but when those bombs of incorrectness begin to escape people's lips and hands, Nigerian English becomes puzzling even to men with the highest of I.Qs. So are you guilty of not guilty of these acts of terrorism on the English language?

Do you know of other words Nigerians use that aren't in the dictionary? Enlighten us!

SOURCE: iDonsabi

4 Likes 1 Share

Re: Top 10 Words Nigerians Use That Aren’t In The Dictionary by youngest85(m): 8:55pm On Oct 22, 2018
What of dorobucci?
This word is used to describe a man nyanshing another man's wife

2 Likes

Re: Top 10 Words Nigerians Use That Aren’t In The Dictionary by cooldipo(m): 8:57pm On Oct 22, 2018
Na we we na wink




Guilty as charged!
Re: Top 10 Words Nigerians Use That Aren’t In The Dictionary by PUSSYBBQGRILLS(f): 8:58pm On Oct 22, 2018
OK

2 Likes

Re: Top 10 Words Nigerians Use That Aren’t In The Dictionary by OneCorner: 9:01pm On Oct 22, 2018
Are we British?
Is britsh us?
So we can add and unadd.

1 Like

Re: Top 10 Words Nigerians Use That Aren’t In The Dictionary by theunnamed: 9:03pm On Oct 22, 2018
This is stale... Your effort is commended though
Re: Top 10 Words Nigerians Use That Aren’t In The Dictionary by SFSNIPER(m): 9:03pm On Oct 22, 2018
Good info
Re: Top 10 Words Nigerians Use That Aren’t In The Dictionary by Humchi(m): 9:12pm On Oct 22, 2018
youngest85:
What of dorobucci? This word is used to describe a man nyanshing another man's wife
here in Nigeria or in kuvuki land?
Re: Top 10 Words Nigerians Use That Aren’t In The Dictionary by SenhorSean(m): 9:26pm On Oct 22, 2018
Noted!
Re: Top 10 Words Nigerians Use That Aren’t In The Dictionary by Nobody: 9:34pm On Oct 22, 2018
We learn everyday. We are not put a pencil in the hand of the creator
Re: Top 10 Words Nigerians Use That Aren’t In The Dictionary by Nobody: 10:53pm On Oct 22, 2018
Disvirgin is now in the diction
Re: Top 10 Words Nigerians Use That Aren’t In The Dictionary by BonkoINC: 12:24am On Oct 23, 2018
Shayo
Manually
Shepe



What of

Go buy me drink make I drink. grin
Re: Top 10 Words Nigerians Use That Aren’t In The Dictionary by mikhe2(m): 1:08am On Oct 23, 2018
Why e be lyk say africans hate weitin dem create?
Re: Top 10 Words Nigerians Use That Aren’t In The Dictionary by segebase(m): 7:22am On Oct 23, 2018
ff
Re: Top 10 Words Nigerians Use That Aren’t In The Dictionary by Nwaikuku2(m): 9:07am On Oct 23, 2018
Mtcheew is it a taboo for us to have our own NIGERIA ENGLISH?
Re: Top 10 Words Nigerians Use That Aren’t In The Dictionary by shreder(m): 2:21pm On Oct 23, 2018
Even d U.S.A speaks english dier own way,o.p leave us alone
Re: Top 10 Words Nigerians Use That Aren’t In The Dictionary by Patosky4U: 2:22pm On Oct 23, 2018
Na our English sure pass abege
Re: Top 10 Words Nigerians Use That Aren’t In The Dictionary by Khd95(m): 4:29pm On Oct 23, 2018
atikulating will be added to the oxford dictionary soon cool

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