Those of us in academics have heard so many reasons why the Nigerian pidgin falls short of international standard. The big talk always ends with codification. This is just to say that nothing is fixed, and if a word cannot mean the same thing all the time and everywhere and is not spelt the same, then it is not a good case for the language. All of us know that this is all talk because even English language get in own fuck-up! but the usual problem is that if you want to get the degree you are studying for and if you want to get published in journals, you must to de do 'I concur'. So, it boils down to the same thing -na who wan talk?
But we sef know say person wey talk say im mama soup no sweet, the person get another mama for outside. Na original bad pikin e be.
So, I bring you someone's work that I found on the net. Unfortunately, the site is inactive but this work is still there. Please remember it is someone's intellectual property. Dat's why I put only small for here. If you wan thief, go there yourself.
Enjoy what this researcher has done and continue to believe in our pidgin.
Babawilly's Dictionary of Pidgin English Words and Phrases.
A
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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