Browse African Slang

Means a girl or girlfriend (not just baby). Calling someone my babe means my girl. As slang it can refer to any female o...

Envy or spite (literally “bad stomach”).

An attractive, confident young woman who is highly fashionable and admired by others. Calling someone a 'baddie' in Nige...

Stands for 'Before Anyone Else,' meaning one's sweetheart. Widely used by Nigerian youth online to refer to their signif...

To dress up nicely (from “bath up”).

From Hausa, meaning a beggar. It's used for someone always asking for money or favors. To "do bambiala" is to go around ...

Nigerian street slang for money, particularly a lot of it. To "get bar" means to have plenty of cash. The term likely co...

To believe, often said as a humorous aside.

Beyond the car, 'Benz' in slang symbolizes wealth or success. Owning a Mercedes-Benz is a status symbol, so to 'buy Benz...

Submissive or less dominant person

Popular proverb meaning quality things require money.

Refers to wealth gotten through dark or illicit means, often alluding to rituals or crime. In Nigerian movies/urban lege...

To become successful or famous (like an artist “blowing up”).

As a noun bobo means 'guy' or a young man ('fine bobo' = handsome guy). As a verb to bobo means to sweet-talk or deceive...

An insult meaning someone raised without proper care (“throw-away child”).

A slang phrase describing someone living above their means by borrowing or renting luxuries to appear rich. The person i...

When someone strings along a love interest with occasional affection or messages, but with no real intent to commit. It'...

Humorous mix of “bro” and “prostitute,” teasing a guy who flatters friends for favors.

Refers to an unofficial cash payment (often a bribe or "thank you") given discreetly. It comes from the practice of hand...

A crude slang meaning 'to ejaculate' (from bust a nut). Mostly used by men joking about finishing during sex.

To amaze or astonish greatly.