Many people speak English as their first language. It is one of the most commonly spoken languages in the world.
Nigerians are very good at a number of things and one of them is
inventing their own version of English which has become popular
overtime.
inventing their own version of English which has become popular
overtime.
Some of the words and phrases we use often cannot be found in the
dictionary. Some are words you picked up from others and they have
become quite a norm.
dictionary. Some are words you picked up from others and they have
become quite a norm.
It is not only the uneducated folks that are guilty of using these
wrong words as the very educated Nigerians also use the English language
inappropriately.
wrong words as the very educated Nigerians also use the English language
inappropriately.
1. Go-slow: When Nigerians say go-slow, they mean
congested traffic, which is wrong. The meaning of go-slow in the English
dictionary is, a form of industrial action in which work or progress is
deliberately delayed or slowed down.
congested traffic, which is wrong. The meaning of go-slow in the English
dictionary is, a form of industrial action in which work or progress is
deliberately delayed or slowed down.
2. Disvirgin: This word is used on a daily basis
by many Nigerians when they intend to say a woman has lost her
virginity. There is no word like disvirgin. The correct word to use is
deflower. Disvirgin simply does not exist.
by many Nigerians when they intend to say a woman has lost her
virginity. There is no word like disvirgin. The correct word to use is
deflower. Disvirgin simply does not exist.
3. Trafficate: Nigerians use the word to describe a
situation where a driver indicates to other drivers that he/she wants
to take a turn. It is used so often, that it has started to sound like
proper English.
situation where a driver indicates to other drivers that he/she wants
to take a turn. It is used so often, that it has started to sound like
proper English.
4. Flashing: Every Nigerian knows “flashing” to
mean when someone calls your mobile phone and cuts off before you
answer. The word ‘flash’ is so common among Nigerians and its used at
least once daily by many. Flash has different meanings but none has
anything to do with a phone call. The word doesn’t exist in that sense
in English.
mean when someone calls your mobile phone and cuts off before you
answer. The word ‘flash’ is so common among Nigerians and its used at
least once daily by many. Flash has different meanings but none has
anything to do with a phone call. The word doesn’t exist in that sense
in English.
5. Installmentally: Don’t be tempted to use the
word ‘installmentally’. Though it sounds correct, it isn’t. There is no
such word in the English dictionary as it exists only in the Nigerian
edition of English language. The correct thing to say is ‘in
installments’.
word ‘installmentally’. Though it sounds correct, it isn’t. There is no
such word in the English dictionary as it exists only in the Nigerian
edition of English language. The correct thing to say is ‘in
installments’.
6. Opportuned: What exists in English dictionaries
is ‘opportune,’ without ‘d’ at the end. Opportune means ‘timely’ or
‘well-time, especially convenient or appropriate for a particular action
or event. Opportuned is only common in Nigerian English.
is ‘opportune,’ without ‘d’ at the end. Opportune means ‘timely’ or
‘well-time, especially convenient or appropriate for a particular action
or event. Opportuned is only common in Nigerian English.
7. Cunny: This is a word which Nigerians use to describe someone that is being deceitful or crafty. The right word is cunning not cunny.
8. Next tomorrow: Most Nigerians generally use
“next tomorrow” but there is not such word as next tomorrow. Instead you
should say, “a day after tomorrow.”
“next tomorrow” but there is not such word as next tomorrow. Instead you
should say, “a day after tomorrow.”
9. Packer: Nigerians probably got the word from
pack. The right word is dustpan. Since dustpan packs dirt, Nigerians
like to call it packer.
pack. The right word is dustpan. Since dustpan packs dirt, Nigerians
like to call it packer.
10. Pepperish: It is common to hear Nigerians
describe a meal that has too much pepper in it as pepperish. The proper
word should be ‘peppery’. No native English speaker uses the word
pepperish” to describe the burning sensation we feel from eating pepper.
describe a meal that has too much pepper in it as pepperish. The proper
word should be ‘peppery’. No native English speaker uses the word
pepperish” to describe the burning sensation we feel from eating pepper.