In January 2020, a total of 29 Nigerian words and
expressions were added to the popular Oxford English dictionary.
Justifying the decision at the time, it said the words were
incorporated into the dictionary in recognition of Nigerians’ “unique and
distinctive contribution to English as a global language”.
Some of the words include ‘‘Chop-chop’’, ‘‘Danfo’’ and
‘‘Sef’’.
Such is the global appeal of Nigerian coinages or street slangs.
Every now and then, new words are added to the street
vocabulary while the older words are easily relegated to the background.
These words, though fleeting, are required in every
“hustling” Nigerians’ vocabulary to improve their street credibility in a
country where you are required to be street smart to survive.
In this piece, here are seven trending slangs, often
attributed to Nigerian artistes and celebrities, and their meanings.
E Choke
This is a very popular and currently trending street slang
that was started by famous Nigerian singer, David “Davido” Adeleke. “E Choke”
literarily means “It Chokes”, however, in the street language, it is an
exclamatory remark for something overwhelming or extremely impressive.
When Nigerians see something or someone that goes beyond
expectation, this slang is a way of saying that they were so surprised that
they choked on air or on their saliva, though it may be a bit exaggerated.
E Restrict my Airflow
This one has the same meaning as “E Choke” but was initiated
by another artiste, Wizkid. Choking and having a restricted airflow have
literarily the same interpretation and effect and the slangs have been used by
Nigerians simultaneously.
“E restrict my airflow” has also been used as a follow-up
response to “E Choke”. Another variant of the same slang is “E clog my
airspace.”
We Meuuve
What started as an imitation of BBNaija 2020 star, Vee Adeyele’s accent when she had a quarrel with her lover, Neo Akpofure, in the Big Brother house has now become a popular slang.
Vee was heard telling Neo to “meuuve from the door” (move
from the door) when the latter was trying to prevent her from leaving the room.
The words become better accepted as a motivational phrase
and a way Nigerians say “life goes on.” Many tirades of woeful stories often
end with “… but then, we meuuve!” Also, when Nigerians cannot go and kill
themselves, they say “see ehn, we meuuve.”
KPK/OPP
When Nigerians say KPK, they are saying “Ko Po Ke?” In
English, that means “is it not plenty?”
This originates from a song by Chisom Ezeh popularly known
as Rexxie, featuring Mohbad. In the first line of the song, Rexxie said, “Ta lo
sope ko po ke?” which means “who says it is not plenty?”
Incorporating this line into sentences, what is “plenty” is
determined by what is being praised in the sentence.
If a beautiful picture is seen online and the viewer
comments with KPK, he/she is saying, who says this beauty is not plenty or is
this not plenty?
The standard response to this question according to the
original song is OPP (O Po Pa) and OPG (O Po Gan), and they both mean “it is
very plenty.”
Tule
“Tule” is another of Davido’s many slang. In a video the
star artiste made in reaction to the news of his rift with another artiste,
Burna Boy, in Ghana, he was seen shouting “Tule Joor, Tule Jare.”
“Tule” is a Yoruba word that means “free me, release me, or
leave me.”
The word found its way unto many lips when many Nigerians
started shouting “Tule” on social media for a N2m cash that Davido promised to
whoever could replicate his original video.
In the street vocabulary, “Tule” is used to tell people to
drop a topic or leave you alone and stop bothering you.,
Who dey Breeett?
Who dey Breeett? is another Davido invented slang that
simply means “who is breathing?” in Pidgin English.
As simple as that sounds, it is actually questioning why
anyone would be taking in the air freely after seeing what has been shown to
them.
This is sort of related to another of the artiste’s slangs,
“E choke” because when you see a beautiful photo, for example, you are expected
to “choke” on-air, hence the question, “who dey breeett?”
Ma Fo
This is one of singer, Naira Marley’s slangs that have stood
the test of time and are still as famously used as the first day it was said.
Literarily, this is a Yoruba term that means “Don’t break”,
but in the real sense, it is saying, “don’t be intimidated or don’t be
bothered.”
It can be simply used as “Ma Fo” which can also mean “don’t
worry” and it can be stretched to a street line, “Omo Iya mi, ma fo, mo wa pelu
e” which means, “My brother/sister, don’t be bothered, I am here with you.”
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