The Oxford English Dictionary (OED) has expanded its lexicon in a recent update, adding hundreds of new words and phrases from around the world including several with strong cultural links to Ghana and West Africa.
The new edition features upwards of 500 new entries reflecting how global English evolves with everyday use. The additions include expressions from popular culture, local slang, food names and widely used regional terms.
Words Now Recognized in the Oxford Dictionary
Among the words highlighted in the update are:
- Nyash – a slang term from West African English referring to the buttocks, widely used in everyday speech, music and on social media.
- Ghana Must Go – the name of the iconic large, colourful plastic travel bags common across West Africa.
- Obroni – a West African word for a foreigner, especially someone of European descent.
- Abrokyire – a Ghanaian expression meaning “across the sea” or abroad.
These terms have been part of everyday speech for many years, and their inclusion reflects the growing recognition of African cultural influence on global English.
The update also includes expressions from Nigerian and wider West African English, showing how regional words gain broader acceptance and documentation.
Significance of the New Additions
Language experts say that including local and informal expressions in major dictionaries like the OED shows how living languages change and adapt. Words once seen only in speech or on social media can enter formal records when they are used widely and consistently over time.
For example, “nyash” entered many English conversations through music, online use, and everyday vernacular illustrating how slang can move into formal recognition.
The inclusion of these terms highlights the influence of African languages and culture on global English, reflecting both linguistic diversity and cultural exchange.
