Sunday, 15 December 2013

Dictionary of Pidgin English Words and Phrases.

A whole.. Used when a man of substance is belittled e.g See how mobile police trash the guy, a whole managing director for dat matter
Abeg:
Please.
Abi?:
Is it not?
Abi na wetin!:
What is it?
ABU:
Amadu Bello University.
Acada:
1. Intellectual 2. University student 3. Book worm.
Acata:
1. USA or UK 2.Someone who lives in those places.
Acting big man:
Deputy exercising power in the absence of the boss.
Adire:
Dyed cloth.
Adonkia:
contraction for I don’t care attitude
Afang:
Efik soup made from Afang leaves, beef, dried fish, crayfish, palm oil, and periwinkle.
Afraid catch me:
I was scared.
Afta:
After
Afta much:
Inebriated after much alcohol.
Agaracha:
Woman of easy virtue.
Agbada:
Large traditional garment usually worn by men over a shirt.
Agbepo:
Night soil man. (See – Onioburu).
Agbero:
Labourer who carries heavy goods for a fee.
Agip:
Any Government In Power. Derisory term for person who changes alliances as goverments come and go.
Agument:
Argument.
Ah-ah:
For goodness sake.
Aircon:
Abbreviation for air conditioner.
Ajasco:
Dancing with fanciful footwork. Also called Ajasco Toronto.
Ajebota:
One used to butter; rich spoilt kid. See Ajepako.
Ajepako:
Literally means -one used to eating wood i.e. uses a wooden chewing stick as toothbrush.
Akamu:
Pap made from corn. See Ogi.
Akara:
Bean cake made from fried ground black-eyed beans.
Akara school:
Nursery school.
Akata:
1. Recent arrival from abroad (especially UK or USA) into Nigeria
2. Nigerian nickname for an African American
Alaba:
Abbreviation for Alaba International Market, Lagos. Famed for the sale of electrical goods.
Alan Pozza:
Poser.
Alau:
Allow.
Alau him:
Give him a break.
All na:
It is all a .e.g All na wayo.
All night:
Night vigil.
All Weda:
Shoes worn all the time, come rain come sunshine.
Along!:
Shouted when hailing taxi cabs in some states in Nigeria.
Am:
Used in place of ‘him’ or ‘her’ in sentence e.g. ‘Warn am O!’
Amala:
Dough like meal made from yam flour and hot water. Usually served with Ewedu soup.
Amebo:
1. Gossip 2. Name of a character in a Nigerian soap opera (The village headmaster), with a penchant for gossiping.
Amerika:
America.
Amugbo:
One habitually smoking Indian Hemp. (Marijuana)
And Co:
Wearing the same clothes or fabric with someone else especially married couple.
Andrew:
One wishing to emigrate out of Nigeria. Term originates from government sponsored advert in which the main character – Andrew threatens to ‘check out’ of the country due to various hardships.
Angola:
Prison. Also Angola.
Animal and Sontin:
Elephant and Castle (in Southeast London).
Anoda:
Another.
Ansa:
Answer.
Any attempt!:
Don’t even think about it!
Anyhow:
1. Shoddy 2. Inappropriate
Akpere:
1. Basket 2. Bad goalkeeper in soccer match.
Apoti:
Yoruba word for small stool
Appear:
1. Arrive unexpected usually to something good such as a meal. Host will then say ‘you waka well o’. 2. Arrive uninvited.
Apketeshi:
1.Illicit gin. 2.Native gin. Also called Kai Kai, Ogogoro, Push me-push you, Sapele water and Burukutu.
Apkroko:
Gossip. See Amebo.
Apku:
Cassava flour. See Fufu
Apollo:
Conjunctivitis. (an epidemic swept Nigeria around the time of the Apollo 11 moon landing hence the name)
Arrange yua sef:
1. Make your own arrangements 2. Everyman to himself.
Arrangee:
1.Soiree. 2. Exclusive 3.Preplanned set up.
Area boys:
Unemployed street-wise youth loitering in the neighbourhood. Also called ‘Alaye boys’ in Lagos.
Area girls:
Female Anopheles mosquitoes.
Ariya:
Good time.
Aro:
1.Abbreviation for large psychiatric hospital in western Nigeria. 2. Lunatic.
Aromental:
1. Lunatic 2. Eccentric personality. (See Mentalo).
As:
How it e.g. ‘Tell am as e take happun’.
As for:
That’s the way it is.
Ashewo:
Prostitute. See Agharacha.
Askology:
Sarcastic reply to irritant question. Also- Askor.
Aso oke:
Tradition Yoruba fabric worn on special occasions. Means Upper class cloth.
At-all:
Not at all. Also- At-all ah-tall.
Atachee:
1. Hanger on 2. Social climber forcing themselves on the in-crowd
Attachment:
Small stool placed along the aisle of luxurious buses for passengers who can’t afford proper seats.
Aunty:
Any older female. Used when first name terms not appropriate.
Awa:
Our.
Awoko:
Burning the midnight oil.
Awoof:
Freebie. Without charge. See FOC.
Away:
Foreign especially Europe and America.
Away Baffs:
Imported clothes from Europe and America; especially designer labels. See Sputs, kack and Sputeez.
B

Baba: Father (Yoruba)
Baba Jiga:
Derisory name for a person suffering from Jiga infestation. Also Baba sore.
Babawilly:
Internet pen name of the author of this dictionary.
Babar:
Verb. Hair cut
Babariga:
Large traditional robe worn by man. See Agbada.
Babo!:
WOW! Also Ibabo!
Babi:
1.Baby 2. Pretty girl.
Babi pancake:
Girl fond of make-up.
Back:
Carry a baby tied to the back with lappa
Backyard:
Bottom. See Yarnsh.
Bad bad:
1. Severely e.g Di man wey moto jam wound bad bad. 2. Absolutely e.g She fain bad bad.
Bad-belle:
1 Malice. 2 Player hater.
Baffs:
Trendy clothes. See Away Baffs Bakassi: 1. Name of Igbo vigilante group. 2. Bottom. See Yarnsh.
Bale:
Eat greedily.
Baler:
One who eats greedily. See Long throat.
Bam:
In good condition. See Kampke.
Banga:
Palm tree fruit.
Banga soup:
Soup made from Palm tree fruit.
Barawo:
Thief
Basia:
Large aluminium metal basin.
Bata:
Shoe.
Battalion:
Large family. See Papa Battalion.
Baze:
Woo a girl. See Spin.
Beat am die:
Beat to the point of death.
Been to:
Well travelled.
Beg beg:
One always begging.
Begin go:
On your bike mate. See Hanlele.
Belle:
1. Stomach 2. Abdomen 3. Mind 4. Heart
Belle full:
Satiety. See Gauge and Load.
Belle-sweet:
Hap

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