In Nigerian slang, "404" refers to dog meat, often used in certain local cuisines or street food contexts where it is served as a delicacy in some regions. It is used in informal speech and coded language, especially when people want to refer to it indirectly rather than naming it outright. The term became popular in Nigerian urban slang as a numerical code, drawing from the idea of "404" as something unusual, hidden, or not commonly acknowledged in mainstream conversation. It is not a standard culinary term, but a colloquial nickname used in specific social contexts.

What does "404" mean in Nigerian slang?

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In Nigerian slang, "acada" refers to a university student or graduate, especially someone in or associated with academic life as opposed to vocational or informal paths. It is used in informal Nigerian English, often in contrast with "aluta" or non-academic youth identities, and is common in campus and youth culture. The term developed from a stylized pronunciation and abbreviation of "academic," which was adapted in Nigerian Pidgin and student slang into "acada" to describe someone in higher education or with a strong academic identity.

What does "acada" mean in Nigerian slang?

acada

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In Nigerian slang, "aristo" refers to a wealthy, often older man who engages in relationships with much younger women, typically providing money, gifts, or financial support in exchange for companionship. It is used in informal Nigerian English and youth culture, especially in conversations about transactional or status-based relationships. The term became popular in urban Nigerian slang and campus culture, where it is often associated with "sugar daddy" dynamics. It is a shortened adaptation of "aristocrat," used ironically to describe someone who lives a wealthy, privileged lifestyle and uses that status in relationships.

What does "aristo" mean in Nigerian slang?

aristo

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In Nigerian slang, "baff" (usually used in the plural form) refers to stylish, fashionable, or high-quality clothes, especially outfits worn to look impressive or well-dressed. It is used in informal Nigerian English and youth slang, particularly in social settings, parties, and fashion-related conversations where appearance is being praised or discussed. The term became common in urban Nigerian slang through playful alteration of English "wears" or "apparel," though its exact origin is uncertain and is mainly rooted in spoken youth culture rather than formal linguistic derivation.

What does "baff" mean in Nigerian slang?

baff

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In Nigerian slang, "to bang" means to fail, especially in an exam or test. It is used in informal Nigerian English, particularly in student and campus contexts where academic results are discussed. The term became common in university and secondary school slang, where "banging" an exam implies performing poorly or not passing. It is not a compound word in this sense, but a repurposed English verb used with a completely different local meaning shaped by student culture and exam pressure.

What does "to bang" mean in Nigerian slang?

to bang

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In Nigerian slang, "chop" means food or a meal, and is used in informal Nigerian English and Pidgin when referring to eating or what is eaten. It is commonly used in everyday conversation across social settings such as home, street food contexts, and gatherings. The term comes from older English dialect usage of "chop," which originally meant to cut or consume, and in West African Pidgin English it evolved to mean "to eat" and, by extension, the food itself.

What does "chop" mean in Nigerian slang?

chop

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In Nigerian slang, "crazy man in the bottle" refers to illicitly brewed alcohol or strong homemade spirits, often of questionable quality or potency. It is used in informal Nigerian English and street slang when talking about cheap or unregulated alcoholic drinks. The expression is common in casual and rural-urban speech contexts where such drinks are sold or consumed. The phrase is a descriptive metaphor rather than a structured compound, using "crazy man" figuratively to suggest unpredictability or danger, and "in the bottle" to indicate the alcohol's contained form.

What does "crazy man in the bottle" mean in Nigerian slang?

crazy man in the bottle

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In Nigerian slang, "dey play" means someone is being unrealistic, joking when they should be serious, or simply not making sense. It is used in informal Nigerian English and Pidgin, often as a blunt reaction to statements or actions considered foolish, exaggerated, or delusional. The phrase comes from Nigerian Pidgin English, where "dey" means "is/are" and "play" means to joke or behave lightly, so the expression literally conveys someone "is playing," meaning they are not taking things seriously or are out of touch with reality.

What does "dey play" mean in Nigerian slang?

dey play

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In Nigerian slang, "e choke" expresses strong awe, excitement, or being impressed, usually when something is overwhelming in a positive way, such as success, money, style, or performance. It is used in informal Nigerian English and Pidgin, especially in social media and everyday reactions. It comes from Nigerian Pidgin, where "e" means "it" and "choke" means to overwhelm, so it literally means "it is overwhelming," which is used figuratively to show something is excessive in an impressive way.

What does "e choke" mean in Nigerian slang?

e choke

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In Nigerian slang, "fanimorous" means extremely beautiful, attractive, or captivating, and is used in informal Nigerian English to describe someone or something that is visually striking or impressive. It is commonly used in everyday speech and social contexts, especially when praising appearance or style. The term is a local adaptation of the English word "famous," reshaped in Nigerian slang to sound expressive and exaggerated, and it developed as part of playful language use in popular culture and youth speech.

What does "fanimorous" mean in Nigerian slang?

fanimorous

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In Nigerian slang, "to fash" means to deliberately ignore, dismiss, or pay no attention to someone or something. It is used in informal Nigerian English and Pidgin, especially in everyday conversation and social interactions where someone is being intentionally overlooked or not taken seriously. The term comes from Nigerian Pidgin usage of "fash," which developed from "fashion" in older slang usage, where "no fashion" or "fash" came to mean something not worth attention, eventually evolving into the modern sense of ignoring or dismissing.

What does "to fash" mean in Nigerian slang?

to fash

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In Nigerian slang, "Jand" refers to any foreign country outside Nigeria, often used especially for the UK or Western countries in general. It is used in informal Nigerian English and Pidgin when talking about travel, migration, education abroad, or living overseas. The term developed from "Germany," which was historically one of the early popular destinations for Nigerians going abroad, and over time it broadened in slang usage to mean any foreign or Western country rather than Germany specifically.

What does "Jand" mean in Nigerian slang?

Jand

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In Nigerian slang, "janded" describes someone who has lived in or travelled to a foreign country, and often implies that the person has returned with foreign habits, accent, or lifestyle influences. It is used in informal Nigerian English and Pidgin, especially in social conversations where overseas experience is being discussed or lightly teased. The term comes from "Jand," a slang word for foreign countries (especially Western countries), with "janded" formed as a past participle/adjective meaning someone who has been "to Jand."

What does "janded" mean in Nigerian slang?

janded

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In Nigerian slang, "J-Town" refers to the city of Jos in Plateau State, Nigeria. It is used in informal Nigerian English and youth culture as a casual nickname for the city, especially in conversations about travel, origin, or lifestyle. The term developed as a shortened, stylized form of "Jos Town," with "J" standing for Jos and "Town" emphasizing its urban identity. It is commonly used by residents and Nigerians familiar with the city in everyday speech and social media.

What does "J-Town" mean in Nigerian slang?

J-Town

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In Nigerian slang, "mama put" refers to a street food stall or small informal restaurant that serves cooked Nigerian meals, usually simple local dishes. It is used in everyday Nigerian English and Pidgin when talking about affordable, ready-to-eat food sold in open-air or roadside setups. The term comes from Nigerian Pidgin English, where "mama" refers to a woman or cook and "put" comes from the instruction "put" (as in "put food"), reflecting the idea of a woman serving food on demand. It is widely used across Nigeria to describe informal local eateries.

What does "mama put" mean in Nigerian slang?

mama put

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In Nigerian slang, "push-me-I-push-you" refers to illicitly brewed alcohol, usually cheap, strong, and locally made spirits sold informally. It is used in Nigerian English and Pidgin in everyday speech, especially when talking about street alcohol that is unregulated and often harsh in taste or high in alcohol content. The phrase comes from Nigerian Pidgin English, describing the mutual "push" or rapid exchange between drinker and effect—once you drink, it quickly "pushes" you into intoxication, and you in turn keep drinking, creating a cycle.

What does "push-me-I-push-you" mean in Nigerian slang?

push-me-I-push-you

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In Nigerian slang, "Sapele water" refers to illegally brewed or homemade alcohol, usually cheap, strong, and unregulated. It is used in informal Nigerian English and Pidgin when talking about street-made spirits that can be harsh or unsafe. The term comes from Sapele in Delta State, which became associated with local gin production, and "water" is used ironically to refer to the alcoholic drink.

What does "Sapele water" mean in Nigerian slang?

Sapele water

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In Nigerian slang, "shack" refers to a drink, especially an alcoholic beverage, used in informal Nigerian English and Pidgin when talking about drinking or going out. It is commonly used in casual social settings to mean having a drink or consuming alcohol. The term developed in Nigerian urban slang as a general label for alcoholic drinks, though its exact linguistic origin is unclear and it is mainly rooted in everyday spoken usage rather than a formal derivation.

What does "shack" mean in Nigerian slang?

shack

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In Nigerian slang, "to shift" means to unlawfully take, steal, or snatch something or someone, and is used in informal Nigerian English and Pidgin. It often describes theft or taking something by force or stealth in everyday speech, especially in street or urban contexts. The term comes from the standard English verb "to shift," meaning to move or change position, but in Nigerian slang it evolved metaphorically to imply moving something away from its rightful place without permission, which developed into the meaning of stealing or taking.

What does "to shift" mean in Nigerian slang?

to shift

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In Nigerian slang, "smallie" refers to a small or younger person, often used affectionately, teasingly, or humorously. It is used in informal Nigerian English and Pidgin, commonly to describe someone younger in age, smaller in size, or of lower status in a light, non-serious way. The term comes from the English word "small," with the suffix "-ie" added in Nigerian slang to create a familiar, casual noun form.

What does "smallie" mean in Nigerian slang?

smallie

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The structure is a simple number referring to the total number of teeth in a full adult human set (32 teeth). It is used in Nigerian English, especially in Pidgin and informal speech, as a humorous or striking way to refer to teeth, often when describing a wide smile, laughter, or showing off dental work. People typically say "She showed her thirty-two" (she smiled widely) or "His thirty-two are sparkling."

What does "thirty-two" mean in Nigerian slang?

thirty-two

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It is used in Nigerian English, especially in informal speech and among the diaspora, to mean a person's village or ancestral hometown, the rural area where their family originates, as opposed to the city where they may currently live. People typically say "I'm going to the villa for Christmas" or "He went back to the villa to see his parents." The term originated in late 20th or early 21st century Nigerian urban slang, possibly as a playful or aspirational upgrade from "village," contrasting rural roots with urban sophistication, and remains common among younger, educated Nigerians.

What does "villa" mean in Nigerian slang?

villa

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The structure is a verb derived from the Nigerian Pidgin English term "yab," meaning a satirical jibe or insult, with the addition of a playful "y" ending to form "yabby". It is used to describe insulting or disrespecting someone, often in a playful yet pointed manner, similar to "dissing" or "throwing shade". In Nigerian stand-up comedy and everyday street talk, "yabbing" refers to exchanging clever, humorous insults or criticizing individuals or institutions. People typically say "He yabbied me for that mistake" or "Stop yabbying the man."

What does "to yabby" mean in Nigerian slang?

to yabby

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Here you will find slang from Nigerian English, featuring regional expressions, accents, and cultural terms commonly used in Nigeria.

Nigerian English Slang Terms