'Panya route' joins Oxford English Dictionary as second Swahili word

Panya route becomes the second East African Swahili word to be added to the Oxford English Dictionary.

This comes as the English dictionary expanded its database to include additional Swahili and Sheng words, acknowledging the global spread of the East African language.

According to the team at Oxford, the decision was made in appreciation of the role the Kiswahili language has played in enriching the communication experience across the world.

Panya route is a word locally used to refer to a small secret path that can often be used to avoid detection or for smuggling unlicensed goods.

''A panya route (1980) is a secret path or roundabout route, especially one used for smuggling. Originally coined in Sheng, the East African street language that mixes Swahili with English, this loan blend combines the Swahili word panya 'mouse' with the English word route,'' the Oxford team said in a statement.

Another addition to the dictionary is "kitu kidogo," a term commonly used to refer to a small bribe or token offered in exchange for a favour.

The Oxford team said the word first appeared in English in 1993, and after careful consideration, they decided to officially include it in the vocabulary.

''Kitu kidogo (first attested in English in 1993) is money offered or accepted as an inducement or bribe. In Swahili, kitu means 'thing, item, or matter', while kidogo is the prefixed form of dogo, 'small, insignificant'.''

The other words added include Ugandan  rolex which is an omelette and vegetables wrapped in chapati. The unusual name is a playful twist on 'rolled eggs'.

The Oxford English Dictionary is considered the foremost authority on the English language, reflecting its rich historical evolution.

In July 2022, the dictionary expanded its entries to include terms such as "mpango wa kando," "chapo," "uhuru," "githeri," "chang'aa," "busaa," "come-we-stay," "buibui," "sheng," "isukuti," "jiko," "mandazi," and "mabati." Other additions included "nyama choma," "asante sana," "collabo," "jembe," "pressed," "sambaza," "tarmac," and "unprocedural."

 The Oxford team noted that the inclusion of these Swahili words reflects the language's global significance, as it is spoken by over 200 million people, primarily in East Africa and beyond.