The Concise Freetown Dictionary

If you’re going to live in Freetown, you’ve got to speak the language. Here’s my take on the local lingo, a mix of Krio, and slang. Will update as my expands. For a basic guide to Krio check out The Peace Corps Krio Language Manual.

‘Mind your business’ bag: A black shopping bag . Great for carrying around the thick wads of cash the ATM spits out.

I’m coming: means I’m going.

Make fast: Hurry up

Take time: Slow down

Block: A hundred leone coin. Bread is 5 blocks and cigarettes are 2 blocks for three sticks.

Okada: a motorcycle taxi. Don’t get on if you’ve just had lunch.

JCs (Just Comes): locals who’ve just returned from abroad.

White girl/boy: any foreigner with lighter skin. Even me who’s brown.

Swazis: chaps who change money on the streets.

Poda poda: overcrowded mini van. It means hither and thither. At 8 blocks it’s the cheapest way to get around.

Pear: actually an avocado.

Done done (i'm done), tie tie (knotted plastic bag), ice ice (cold water), small small (slow down, a little bit), waito waito (wait please). Rule of thumb, repeat for emphasis:

Upstairs/downstairs: Up the road, down the road

Relaxation bar: Not a brothel as flat mate Steve seems to think. Actually roadside shacks that serve up beer and soft drinks

Omolanki: A mobile wheelbarrow store used to sell everything from toothpaste to tampons.

Junk sellers: Peddlers of second hand ware, shoes, lingerie and T-shirts

Coolaid: Generic term for local cold drinks

Rubber: Refers to plastic bottles and canisters

Cookery: Cooked meals brought off streetside vendors. That's how my friend Chris got food poisoning.

Pega pack: Small pouches of whiskey, gin and rum. Sankerdas is the popular brand, turns out the guy's Indian.

Nail polishers: Young boys who roam the street painting nails for a living.

Chop chop: food

PHD: Pull him down, this means cutting down to size a relative who has become too successful.