The Oxford English Dictionary has recently added several Swahili and Sheng words to its collection. 

Some key new terms include the Sheng phrase Panya route, Kitu kidogo, Rolex and Bantu knots. The dictionary describes a Panya route as a hidden or alternative path, especially for smuggling.

Kitu kidogo is another new entry, meaning a small bribe or token given for a favor.

The term rolex, from Uganda, refers to an omelette and vegetable wrapped in chapati, with a playful nod to ‘rolled eggs.’

The Oxford English Dictionary in July 2022, added words like mpango wa kando, chapo, uhuru, githeri, chang’aa, busaa, come-we-stay, buibui, sheng, isukuti, jiko, mandazi, and mabati.

The dictionary has included the meaning and the history of individual words traced through millions of quotations.

The words were added as both adjectives and verbs and the dictionary unlike other dictionaries is focusing on present day meanings.