Lagos is the business hub of Nigeria, where people from all over the country come in to do business, to make money, hence, it is the most populous city in Nigeria.
Every day in Lagos is filled with fun, relatable moments, funny moments, annoying moments… There are times you meet some people and you ask yourself, “why are people always acting frustrated?” Whereas in some cases, you just see some acts by some people and you begin to laugh.
One of those that give us fun on daily basis are the “Conductors”. They are found hanging on commercial buses (Danfo), calling on passengers to board their buses. They control activities in the bus while in transit.
Here are few selected slangs you will always hear them frequently use, while carrying out their daily transaction;
Mumu: A fool
They call any passenger that is moving slow to hop on the board ‘mumu’
Ode: This also means ‘Fool’. It carries a little weight as compared to ‘Bolo’. ‘Ode’ is frequently used by most Lagosians.
Were: Mad
You will always hear them calling anybody that get on their nerves were, it is a very quick a word that comes to their mouth, they never search for it.
Alaye: Chairman/Boss
They use this word interchangeably with ‘Chairman’. They often use it to show respect for a person and sometimes use it sarcastically for people.
Soro soke: Speak up
This phrase originated from the #EndSARS protest, which was held in October last year. It was first used when the Lagos state governor was addressing the protestants at Alausa, Ikeja. They use it when they don’t hear your initial statement. You will hear something like. “Alaye soro soke…”
Koshi Danu: Move away/Get away
They usually use it for their colleagues, especially the union workers that sell tickets for them at bus stops. Most times, whenever they don’t want to pay for tickets, you hear them telling the ticketer “Koshi Danu”
Kinkong: Strong
The nick which was taken from the popular 2005 movie featuring a strong giant ape is used for anybody that claims to be strong, especially when they are into an argument with the bus conductor.
Gbera: Move on
They tell the driver to ‘gbera’ when they are done picking passengers by the road.
Gbese le: Speed off
This one, they use when they are about to take off or when you board a bus with both driver and conductor hyper-active. They will want to get in a race with another bus on the road.
Si ori owo e: On your hand
They use this to tell their driver to continue on his lane, without swerving to another lane on the road.
Oga: Boss
Just like ‘Alaye’ or ‘Chairman’ they use ‘Oga’ for people and sarcastically to people they have little respect for.