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What You Need to Know:
Several East African words, including Rolex, Kitu Kidogo, and Panya Route, have been officially added to the Oxford English Dictionary (OED), reflecting the region’s rich linguistic influence on English. Rolex, in this context, refers not to the luxury watch brand but to a popular Ugandan street food consisting of an omelette and vegetables wrapped in a chapatti, derived from the playful twist on “rolled eggs.”
Other notable entries include:
- Kitu Kidogo: A Swahili phrase meaning “something small,” typically referring to a bribe or inducement.
- Panya Route: A phrase originating from Sheng (a mix of Swahili and English) referring to a secret or unofficial route often used for smuggling. The word panya means “mouse” in Swahili, combining with “route” in English.
Swahili, as the main lingua franca in East Africa, has contributed significantly to English since the early 19th century. The Oxford University Press explains that words like kitu kidogo and panya route reflect how regional languages blend with English in everyday communication.
Other new East African entries in the dictionary include nyama choma (roasted meat), asante sana (thank you very much), chapo (chapatti), githeri (a Kenyan dish of maize and beans), mpango wa kando (an extramarital affair), sambaza (to share), and jembe (a hoe used in farming), among others.
The update also features:
- Intore: A traditional war-themed dance from Rwanda and Burundi, typically performed by men at festive events.
- Seggae: A music genre from Mauritius that combines elements of sega (a Creole dance and music style) and reggae.
The OED, considered the ultimate authority on the English language, includes 600,000 words with their meanings, history, and pronunciation. The inclusion of these East African words highlights how English continues to evolve, shaped by diverse cultures and languages.
