It’s a thing of wonder, isn’t it, how Nigerians can take the English language and do “unheard-of things with it” (The Economist did a whole piece on that). We took Queen’s English and made it our own- hello, Pidgin. We have fantastic coinages (e.g stomach infrastructure; wailing wailers) and deep, interesting proverbs, which we’ll get to in a minute.
In celebration of our creativity, Tola Sarumi of “international exposure” immortality asked Twitter NG to share their favourite “Nigerianisms”.
What are your favourite Nigerianisms?
Mine is: no be me kill Jesus.
As a reason for copious or unexpected enjoyment.— T. Rânkïn' (@AfroVII) August 6, 2017
They were too willing to please:
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Wetin concern fish with raincoat or agbero with overload.😂😂😂😂 https://t.co/dgf52r2Yzz
— FumzE (@Merbabe71) August 6, 2017
Kukuma kee me
— Solomon Sunday Tommy (@SouloSkillz) August 6, 2017
Mine is: I cannot come and go and kill myself.
When efforts don't yield expected results
— . (@okoritellamo) August 6, 2017
No put sand sand for my garri.
— M. (@lahmind) August 6, 2017
https://twitter.com/lolaloveandart/status/894221503054708736
"Siddon there make pant dey wear you dey come" for when you are being dull and not being an opportunist https://t.co/YrudGglDet
— Ayamasé (@Chris_Jr_) August 6, 2017
"Small body no be sickness"
For when your capabilities are being under-estimated.
E plenty lol. https://t.co/E5u5W4wYJq
— ObeeA (@eclectic_oba) August 6, 2017
"Big body na signboard"
For when a big guy is trying to intimidate you with siZE https://t.co/E5u5W4wYJq
— ObeeA (@eclectic_oba) August 6, 2017
"Cunny-man die; cunny-man bury am"
"Life na per head" https://t.co/GNPRacQ1R4— Lola Lawal (@asanibijoux) August 6, 2017
https://twitter.com/sisiese/status/894220821266411520
https://twitter.com/arinola91/status/894243256384487424
https://twitter.com/kilonpop/status/894230141647429632
My friend….
Mr. Man…
Ma fi reggae e ba makossa mi je..
Shey o gbadun?
Bawo lo n se n se e?
Ati bebe lo 😂😂 https://t.co/oSkb2B13T8— Adenike Lanlehin (@omotomilola) August 6, 2017
https://twitter.com/Kingwole/status/894231719162806272
https://twitter.com/FeliSpeaks/status/894233717996228608
Mine is "who chuk your mouth inside my matter?" A way of saying what's your business with my stuff; especially when angry. Lol! https://t.co/Pha4BTLCtX
— ABUBAKAR A.M (@blinkingam) August 6, 2017
At all at all nah ehm bad. https://t.co/hfNkSmNh3d
— Funmi Iyanda (@Funmilola) August 6, 2017
'E don tey since yansh dey back' https://t.co/RrjxJIh97B
— силуэт (@TopBloke_7) August 6, 2017
"No be today wey yansh begin dey behind"
" Leg wey dey Waka, eye dey see am"
"No go take your reggae spoil my blues" https://t.co/mjOjWCVpoE— Duchess of Gifts and Events (@DeevaOfficial) August 6, 2017
"Der no de take big prick scare ashawo." Seen it all. Been there, done that. https://t.co/3FWwMliW1t
— femi. (@deardearfemi) August 6, 2017
https://twitter.com/UnJml/status/894216396359577605
Oga, no dey wash me. https://t.co/jhtJ1dNlJ3
— Lanre (@lanreOapata) August 6, 2017
https://twitter.com/arinola91/status/894243256384487424
"All die na die" for coping with whatever problem adulting throws my way https://t.co/VDxY30xc1Q
— Shadowthrone (@SenatorT__) August 6, 2017
"Threaten na water, action na blood"
For when talk is becoming much more than action -mostly leads to physical violence. https://t.co/E5u5W4wYJq
— ObeeA (@eclectic_oba) August 6, 2017
"Pesin wey don die no dey fear knife" for expressing bravado in tough situations. https://t.co/uFKucVyuw0
— Dx. (@daberechy) August 6, 2017
https://twitter.com/temite/status/894221943624409088
Abeg, I can’t shout.
