'NYASH, ABEG': Most Used African Phrases Included in Oxford Dictionary

‘NYASH, ABEG’: Most Used African Phrases Included in Oxford Dictionary

The Oxford English Dictionary has updated its list of words after adding additional African words to its lexicon, with the most recent update focusing on idioms from West African nations.

The move is intended to recognise Africa’s deep-rooted and pervasive culture and values, with over 1,000 previous entries from throughout the world being amended.

Among the phrases included in the most recent version is ‘Nyash’, which refers to a person’s behind and is commonly used to emphasise huge, appealing curves.

The term ‘Nyash’ is commonly used throughout Africa, particularly in West and East African countries. In Kenya, the word is considered slang because it is not acknowledged in an official context.

It originated in Nigerian Pidgin and was used by West African musicians to express casual admiration for people with curvaceous backsides.

The Oxford English Dictionary (OED) has added 24 new Nigerian and West African words and expressions to its global lexicon:
•Abeg (Pidgin: Please)
•Abrokyire (Ghanaian: Overseas/abroad)
•Adowa (Ghanaian: A traditional dance of the Akan people)
•Amala (Nigerian: A staple food…
— Charles Onyango-Obbo (@cobbo3) January 7, 2026

However, in some cultures, the phrase is considered derogatory.

Other words included in the most recent version include the word ‘Abeg’, which is classified as both an interjection and an adverb.

An interjection is used to show surprise, frustration, or disbelief.

It is a variation of the English term ‘I beg’, which means to ask someone for something humbly and honestly, without provocation or intimidation. It could also refer to a surrender for freedom.

The Oxford English Dictionary also included the word ‘Afrobeat’ to refer to the popular style of music incorporating elements of African music and jazz, mostly used in West Africa.

Afrobeats was formally added to the dictionary to acknowledge the growing influence of the West African music genre on the global stage.

Similarly, OED also added words like ‘Biko’, which is a synonym of ‘Please’ to mean a humble request, ‘Mammy Market’, to mean a marketplace run by women, and ‘Amala’, a Nigerian staple food made from cassava or yams.

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How Oxford Dictionary Determines Words to Add

The decision to add a word to the English dictionary is always a long process that includes gathering evidence of the widespread and real usage of the phrase.

The evidence may be obtained through the use of the phrase in books, newspapers, magazines, films and TV shows, as well as social media blogs.

Oxford editors also check how often the word is used and which countries or communities mostly use the phrase.

‘NYASH, ABEG’: Most Used African Phrases Included in Oxford Dictionary