Lingo keeps on changing in societies. Kenya is no different. This year, there were phrases that rose in popularity, mostly because of how they sounded (very funny) and what they were used to mean. We are not sure they'll survive in 2018 but here is a recap of some of those words.
Slay Queen
This phrase is almost mainstream in Kenyan talk. Nairobi Diaries was a chief contributor to enhancing its popularity. According to Urbandictionary.com, "slay queens are young and naive girls who apparently do not date broke men. They spend hours on Snapchat and Instagram showing off things they don't even own." It's a word meant to put down young girls who are overtly materialistic and vain.
Slay King
Every Bonnie has a Clyde and that's why slay queens have slay kings. A slay king is your typical metrosexual guy but with more touch to him. He's obsessed with taking photos and outshining everyone around him by clamouring for unnecessary attention which is not considered masculine in Kenya. This is a phrase that has been used to poke fun at selfie-hungry, overly dressed men in Kenya. Notice the pattern? They are all youngsters.
Yengs
This is a phrase that emanated from Kenyan Instagram teens. It refers to that beautiful girl that seems way out of every guy's league. This is mostly used by teens when DM-ing each other. Yes, DM means Direct Message and has been a popular word for quite a while. Kenyans on Twitter have also used this word when writing threads. @CrazyNairobian is one Twitter account that has the most threads with the word 'yengs.' Say hi to that yengs of yours aye?
Man's not hot
Big Shaq made this phrase one of the most popular in 2017. British comedian Michael Dapaah, who aliases as Big Shaq, went on to BBC Radio 1Xtra and did freestyle on an instrumental which went viral on the net. He titled the song 'Man's not hot' and Kenyans weren't left out on the train. Memes have been made about Man not being hot.
Issa
This is the cooler phrase to mean 'It is'. This phrase which has been popular in Kenya this year was from a song by American trap artist, 21 Savage. In a sentence, people say, "Issa wrap.." to mean, "that's a wrap." Issa can be used in place of 'it's' in so many other sentences.
Ndaaani
Kenyan elections are always a recipe for crazy phrases popping up. When KANU's Nick Salat gave a speech on an alliance with Jubilee party, he said, "tuko ndaani, ndaani, ndaaaaani" (we are in this together). Kenyans picked that up and made it a phrase referring to unity in a light-hearted manner.
The Road to Canaan
NASA Party leader Raila Odinga promised to take Kenyans to the land of 'Canaan' if they voted him in as President. In Canaan, there would be no corruption, in Canaan, there would only be honey and milk. Singer Antoneosoul then went to create a fun quiz on Facebook that would show users what their role and expectations in Canaan would be. Have you reached your Canaan yet, the Promised Land?
Tibim/ Tialala
This phrase popularised by Babu Owino, is another that stood out in 2017. The former University of Nairobi student leader used the phrase 'tibim and tialala' to mean a political revolution. Protests in Kenyan universities over the year have seen students use the same phrase.
Tano tena
President Uhuru Kenyatta's re-election campaign slogan was this phrase. 'Tano tena' is a Swahili phrase to mean 'five more years in power'. It was a popular phrase around the election time which drew a lot of online reactions. There was even an elections song by the same title. That is how serious Kenyan elections are.
Come up again selecta
If you say something and the recipient misses the message, they'll usually respond with, "Pardon..." But not Kenyans. This year, it was this phrase, 'Come up again selecta.' DJ Demakufu made this popular through his mixes that have this line.
Boychild
The KCSE results are out and we are still talking about the Kenyan boychild. This is a phrase that has been used in 2017 to address the plight of the boychild. His performance this year especially academically has been below par, but that is not the only challenge the boychild is facing. Even getting a date is difficult because he's not as rich as 'the sponsor'. "Woiii Kenyan boychild.. the chronicles continue.."