The Evolution of Slang: From Vintage Vibes to Modern Lingo

Slang is like fashion—it changes with time, circles back around, and sometimes makes us cringe when we look back. In the 1960s to 1980s, Nigerian slang terms like "akara" (meaning a pretty girl), "kpekere" (meaning a troublemaker), and "jaguda" (meaning a clever person) were popular.

These terms often originated from specific ethnic groups or regions. For example, "akara" is a Yoruba term that was used to describe a beautiful girl. Really fasinating right?

Well, buckle up, because we’re taking a trip through time to see how slang has evolved—from the jazz age to TikTok trends, and even a touch of Nigerian street lingo!

Slang Through the Decades: A Time Capsule of Cool

The Roaring Twenties & Mid-Century Swag

The 1920s were all about speakeasies, jazz, and some truly fancy slang. If you wanted to compliment someone back then, you’d say:

• “The Cat’s Pajamas” – Translation: This person is super stylish and impressive.

• “Hotsy-Totsy” – Meaning: Perfect or flawless.

• “Giggle Water” – Just a fun way to say alcohol.

  
  

By the 1950s, rock ‘n’ roll had taken over, and new slang hit the streets:

• “Daddy-O” – A way to address a cool dude.

• “Burn Rubber” – To speed off in a car.

• “Made in the Shade” – Life is easy, no stress.

  
  

The Groovy Sixties & Seventies: Peace, Love, and Slang

The 1960s and ’70s were full of rebellious energy, free spirits, and some iconic slang:

• “Far Out" - If something was mind-blowingly cool, it was far out!

• “Keep on Truckin” – A way of saying “keep going, don’t give up.”

• “Bogart” – To selfishly hog something (like food or a joint).

  
  

The Rad Eighties & Nineties: Pop Culture Explosion

With the rise of MTV, hip-hop, and Hollywood, slang became even more playful:

• “Gnarly” – Could mean something was awesome or extremely intense.

• “Talk to the Hand” – The sassiest way to shut someone down.

• “Bling” – Flashy jewelry (thank you, hip-hop!).

And let’s not forget "jiggy", made famous by Will Smith's Gettin' Jiggy Wit It—meaning stylish or in the groove.

The 2000s & 2010s: Internet Culture Takes Over

Social media, memes, and texting gave us a whole new language:

• “YOLO” – “You Only Live Once” (thanks, Drake!).

• “TBT” – Throwback Thursday (because we love nostalgia).

• "Bling" – Flashy jewelry, often associated with hip-hop culture.

• "Fo' Shizzle" – Popularized by Snoop Dogg, meaning "for sure."

• "Crunk" – A mix of “crazy” and “drunk,” meaning hype or wild.

• "Holla" – A way to say "talk to you later" or "give me a call."

• "Shorty" (or "Shawty") – A term of endearment for a girl.

• "Whassup?" – Made popular by the Budweiser commercials, meaning “what’s up?”

• "Bye Felicia" – A dismissive way to say goodbye, from the movie Friday.

• "Epic Fail" – Used when someone embarrassingly messes up.

• "That's Hot" – Made famous by Paris Hilton, meaning something is trendy or attractive.

• "Yas" (or "Yasss Queen") – A super excited way to say “yes,” often used in LGBTQ+ and pop culture communities.

• "Grind" – Hustling or working hard (e.g., "Stay on your grind").

Modern-Day Lingo: The 2020s and Beyond

Now, social media platforms like TikTok and Twitter are shaping how we talk. Some of today’s hottest slang includes:

• “It's Giving” – Used to describe a strong vibe or energy (e.g., "It's giving luxury" or "It's giving main character energy").

• “Slaps” – When something is really good, especially music (e.g., "That song slaps!").

• “No Cap” – No lie, I’m serious (e.g., "That was the best movie ever, no cap").

• “Bet” – A casual way to say "Okay" or "Got it" (e.g., "See you at 8?" "Bet.").

• “Vibe Check” – A way to ask if something or someone has good energy (e.g., "This party failed the vibe check").

• “Rizz” – Short for "charisma," meaning someone's ability to flirt or attract people (e.g., "He has major rizz!").

• “Mid” – Something average or overrated (e.g., "That movie was mid").

• “Side Eye” – Used when something is suspicious or questionable (originated from Black Twitter and TikTok).

• “Sending Me” – If something is hilarious, you say it’s sending you (e.g., "That meme is sending me!").

• “Hits Different” – When something feels unique or extra good (e.g., "Listening to this song at night hits different").

And let’s not forget the revival of old-school words! Drip (meaning great style) and vibe (a general mood or energy) have made huge comebacks.

Nigerian Slang: A Unique Twist on Language

Nigeria, known for its rich culture and diverse languages, has its own vibrant slang that has evolved over the years. Nigerian Pidgin, a mix of English and indigenous languages, has birthed some of the most creative expressions out there.

Old-School Nigerian Slang

Back in the day, Nigerians used phrases like:

• “Jaiye” – Meaning “enjoy life” or “live it up.”

• “Gidigba” – Someone or something solid, reliable, or strong.

• “Over Sabi” – Someone who acts like they know it all (basically, a know-it-all).

Modern Nigerian Slang (Gen Z & Social Media Era)

Today, Nigerian slang has gone global, thanks to Afrobeats, Nollywood, and social media. Some of the trendiest phrases include:

• “No Wahala” – No problem, no stress.

• “E Choke” – Used to describe something overwhelming or mind-blowing (coined by Davido).

• “Shey You Dey Whine Me Ni?” – A humorous way to say “Are you joking with me?”

• “Otilo” – Meaning “It’s gone” or “It’s over,” often used when moving on from something.

• “Japa” – To flee or escape, especially when talking about traveling abroad.

• “Who Dey Breet?” – A humorous way of saying someone is struggling or out of breath.

• “No Gree for Anybody” – Encouraging people to stand up for themselves and not tolerate nonsense.

• “Dey Play” – A sarcastic way of telling someone they aren’t being serious about life.

• “You Go Explain Tire” – Meaning no matter how much you explain, people won’t listen.

The Future of Slang: What’s Next?

Slang will keep evolving, influenced by pop culture, technology, and global connections. Who knows?

One thing is certain: language will always be a mirror of society. Whether you're saying vibes, e choke, or no cap, you’re part of a living, breathing linguistic evolution.

What’s your favorite slang word—past or present? Drop it in the comments below!