Popular Nigerian Slangs That Rock The Social Media World in 2018

 

Top Nigerian Slangs that went viral in 2018

Written by: Prince EkeAbasi S. Inyang



Change they say is constant. In order to communicate effectively with people, word or groups of words are coined to reflect the cultural and societal disposition of a person aside from the conventional language that is being used in everyday communication. This is often used by top celebrities especially by musicians as a line in their musical lyrics or by actors during their movie role or by comedians to spice up their talking prowess and gain the admiration of the masses.
Some of the popular slangs that rocked the Nigerian cosmos and even the globe by extension are the following:


1. “Na dem dey rush us”
This slang which is Nigerian Pidgin was originated by Top Nollywood Actor, Charles Inojie in a movie role while he was trying to woo a young lady for a relationship. In the movie, he was trying to highlight his achievements so as to gain her approval. The phrase above simply implies that “girls are the one clustering around him because of hat he possess in terms of money, fame, swag and influence. Hence, he needn’t chase after them anymore.
Generally, people in different walks of life have adopted this slang to mean virtually the same thing. Some use it when they become the talk of the town while others when they are been highly admired. ‘Na dem dey rush us’ is currently used by both gender to reiterate their relevance and popularity in the society.


2. “Wetin we gain”
This phrase which is an extract from the line of a new musical hit by “Victor AD” has gained wide recognition and sing along especially in the last half of the year 2018. In the song; the line “if we no make money, wetin we gain” which is also a word in Nigerian pidgin translates in English language as “If we don’t earned enough money, what do we stand to gain”. It is a ‘street song’ trying to highlight the plight of entertainers, celebrities and upcoming prospects alike especially those who originates from the ghetto and slum. The slang is posing a topical question as to what youths or people who have laboured from scratch and has passed through the thick and thin to become relevant in life in the face of imminent opposition and despondency would derived from their hustling. The originator tend to know what would he stand he stand to benefit from after all the ordeals, struggles and effort put into becoming somebody in life if he doesn’t acquire wealth (money in particular) and even fame and influence to complement the good life he had also anticipated to enjoy.
The slang is indisputably gaining momentum by the day as most people, especially youths utilizes it as part of their daily vocabulary during, conversation and other dealings of life. You hear people say something like “wetin I gain, if I no go Yankee” or “if I no love you wetin I gain,” etc.


3. “If you know you know”
Conversely, this slang was invented over the social media network. It is used when a hidden message or post is posted on any of the social media platform and the poster doesn’t want to pin point on the real issue due to some factors such as security reason or religious disposition or political inclination so as not to create any confusion with the topic on ground. They often leave their message vague for the public to make their informed decision.


4. “Sho mo age mi”:
This is a fusion of Yoruba and English language. The literal meaning is “Do you know my age”. It is often used by the older individuals (especially adults) to demand respect from the younger ones whom they are obviously older than. This is a very usual scenario which takes place in a conventional African setting where the younger ones engages the older counterpart in a heated argument or even fight (verbally or physically).


5. “Small girl big God”:
This slang is perhaps linked to single ladies who boast of self-dependency, that is, these ladies believe they could foot their bill as well a live well without relying on the male folk.