Top 20 Gambian English Words and Big Grammar Phrases
This blog post is for me, and if you’re from The Gambia, it’s for you too. I believe that many of us have used the words on this list at some point. While we may not use all of them, some words are familiar to us. Here are the top 20 English words and notable grammar phrases from The Gambia.
These phrases range from President H.E. Barrow’s famous line, “It’s not easy like that, deeh,” to the unwritten grammar of Serrekunda’s marketplace. They reflect the unique expressions aunts and uncles use in WhatsApp groups nationwide, showcasing Gambianism at its finest. They resonate with us, which is what truly matters.
If you’re Gambian, you know our English isn’t broken; it’s remixed, culturally enriched, and creatively twisted for fun. This blog post isn’t just a list; it’s a celebration of our unique linguistic humour. If you’re not Gambian, prepare for a world where grammar takes a backseat to comedy. For the Gambian diaspora, these phrases bring back memories of home, childhood, and the quirks of everyday life.
Everyday Gambian-English Classics
- Come Let’s Go – Because “go” alone is lonely.
- You’re Not Serious – Not an insult, just Gambia-style disappointment.
- Boy, Give Me My Change! – The heat behind this one is real!
- Shift Small – Even if there’s no space, you must shift small.
- He’s My Uncle, But Not Like That – Family tree of confusion.
- You Have Not Even Greeted Me! – Guilt trip starter pack.
- Off the Light / On the Fan – We don’t switch it off. We command.
- You Think It’s Easy? – The legendary phase of struggle.
- Let Me Just Reach There First – The Official Lie of Lateness.
- I’m Coming – But you’ll never see me 😌
Big Grammar We Use Like It’s Small English
- At the End of the Day – Said at the beginning of every argument.
- To Be Honest With You – Honesty loading…
- It’s Not About That Per Se – But it actually is.
- Let’s Tackle It Head On – Just talking about a phone call.
- For Your Perusal – When sending a 3-line email.
- The Focal Point Is… – This one deserves a Nobel.
- In a Nutshell – But delivers an entire TED Talk.
- Going Forward – A classic WhatsApp group peace treaty.
- In That Regard… – Respectfully, I’m lost.
- Let Me Touch Base With You – You will never hear from me again.
What’s Your Favourite?
Have you used any of these phrases today without realising it? Share yours in the comments, and let’s create the Gambian Dictionary of English Mastery™! 😭
Tag your friends who speak fluent Gambian English and might confuse the whole of #Oxford. 👇
Final Words
Gambian English is uniquely ours. It might not always be grammatically correct, but it is spiritually accurate. It’s one of the most genuine forms of communication you’ll ever encounter.
So, the next time someone tells you your English is wrong, smile and say: “That one is not my problem.”
Let’s make this the most shared, commented, and loved post in the Gambian internet community. Add yours in the comments!
What phrase did we miss?
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