Nigerianisms

[deer of the dawn]

I thought people might enjoy this. These are phrases you hear daily in Nigeria. I spoiled what they actually mean- see if you can guess first.

He flashed me.

Spoiler

He called me on my cell phone but hung up before I answered so as not to utilize his phone credit, in hopes I'll call him back and use my phone credit.

It don finish.

Spoiler

It is used up, consumed, or sold out.

Carry go!

Spoiler

Hurry!

My mota was condemned.

Spoiler

My car is totalled.

My mota was arrested.

Spoiler

My car was impounded.

We thank God.

Spoiler

An all-purpose phrase whose meaning is derived from the context and how it is expressed. Sometimes it means what it says, but the expression can be loaded with innuendo. For instance, "Well... we thank God" means, it actually sucks but I'm being philosophical about it."

It don do.

Spoiler

It suffices.

She is reading the donkey's letter.

Spoiler

She is spacing out.

I am okay.

Spoiler

I have had enough to eat.

Let's enjoy small.

Spoiler

Let's have a little fun (sometimes a come-on).

Let me have pure water.

Spoiler

A request for a bribe.

[wayfriend]

Thanks!

[danlo]

Mota means something entirely different in NM

[Wyldewode]

Those are hilarious. . .

When I was in college my dormitory housed several international students. One of the girls was Nigerian, and we thought she was just the nicest girl. . . she was very kind and thoughtful and funny. Only problem we ever had with her was when we finally figured out why the communal toilet seats were regularly wet. . . apparently she would stand on the toilet seat rather than sit.

Anyhow, our resident assistant had a chat with her, and after that we had no problems with the toilet seats.

[deer of the dawn]

Wyldewode, toilets are fairly new in this country. Even a lot of well-to-do have what we call a squatty-potty.

Your sig quote-- my daughter read me that from the book the other day.

I thought of another:
How's your body?

Spoiler

An inquiry about your health after you have been ill.

[Wyldewode]

Wyldewode, toilets are fairly new in this country. Even a lot of well-to-do have what we call a squatty-potty.

Yeah. . . I was just surprized that she had been here so long and still hadn't adjusted to the difference. It seems like much of the world has the squatty-potty.

Speaking about international potties. . . I was very surprised that while I was in Italy very few places (with the exception of the hotels we stayed in) had actual toilet seats. There were holes where the seat would be bolted on, but no seat. You had to hover while using the restroom, or be subjected to cold porcelain on your bum. And on top of everything else, you had to pay to use a restroom that was filty and reeked like an amonia manufacturing plant.

Your sig quote-- my daughter read me that from the book the other day.

Thanks. . . it never fails to crack me up. I think Terry Practchett is hilarious.