Catch any of that?

As hard as it may be for a non-Nigerian to understand, this language has filled a crucial role in the country where 40 percent of adults are illiterate. Having a language that can be shared across hundreds of different cultures is a major unifier. It would be hard to imagine Lagos developing into the megacity it is if people couldn’t communicate with each other.

This dictionary offers a few common phrases:

Get road: 1. Right of way while driving e.g. Na mi get road but e come shunt me. 2. Delusions of grandeur e.g. See poor man dey waka as if na im get road.

Spoil: Talk badly of someone behind their back. e.g I hear as you dey spoil me for dat party.

Big grammar: Long and difficult English words. See Blow Oyinbo.

Take eye see: Look without touching e.g why you no fit take eye see Gulder i.e Can’t you see a bottle of Gulder without wanting to drink it?

Na so I see am o!: That’s the way it is.

Hear di smell: Smell the aroma.

Reach: 1. Arrive e.g. Which day you reach? 2. Afford e.g. Na dat one my hand (pocket) reach.

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