For Africans living abroad, few things feel as comforting — or as funny — as good Pidgin English jokes. Whether you’re in London, Toronto, or New York, hearing phrases like “Na who send me?” or “I no go gree!” instantly brings a smile. Pidgin, the unofficial language of laughter, has become one of Africa’s most unifying cultural exports — and a vital connection to home for millions across the diaspora.
- 1. “Na who send me?”
- 2. “I no go gree!”
- 3. “Wetin you dey find for my phone?”
- 4. “If you no get money, hide your face.”
- 5. “E shock you?”
- 6. “No be juju be that?”
- 7. “Who dash monkey banana?”
- 8. “Wahala be like bicycle.”
- 9. “Body no be firewood.”
- 10. “Na small thing remain make I craze.”
- Beyond the Laughter: Why Pidgin Jokes Matter
Pidgin English, also known as “Broken English,” blends English with local African expressions and rhythm. It’s widely spoken across Nigeria, Ghana, Cameroon, and parts of Sierra Leone, serving as both a bridge and a punchline. But beyond communication, it’s a cultural identity — one that helps Africans abroad hold on to humor that outsiders might never fully grasp.
As Lagos-based linguist Dr. Ijeoma Okeke told BBC Africa:
“Pidgin is more than a dialect; it’s how Africans make sense of life. It softens pain, exaggerates joy, and turns everyday struggle into comedy.”
So, here are 10 funny Pidgin English jokes and phrases that always hit home — especially for Africans living abroad who understand that no matter how far you go, Na who dey laugh last dey laugh best!
1. “Na who send me?”
Used when you regret volunteering for something stressful — like moving furniture or helping a friend shift houses.
Example:
“I just help am carry chair reach 5th floor, now my back don break. Na who send me?”
Why it’s funny abroad:
It’s the African way of admitting, “I should’ve minded my business.” It hits differently when you’re abroad doing double shifts and wondering why you offered to cook for ten people.
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2. “I no go gree!”
A defiant expression meaning “I won’t accept that nonsense.”
Example:
“When landlord say make I pay extra for water I no use, I no go gree!”
Why it’s funny abroad:
Africans use it playfully to challenge unfair situations — even with weather. When the cold gets unbearable: “This winter too much! I no go gree!”
3. “Wetin you dey find for my phone?”
The classic line for anyone caught snooping through your messages.
Example:
“Why you dey scroll my WhatsApp? Wetin you dey find for my phone?”
Why it’s funny abroad:
Africans abroad turn it into a meme — the ultimate clapback for nosy roommates or partners. Privacy jokes hit harder when rent costs half your salary.
4. “If you no get money, hide your face.”
Popularized by Nigerian singer Davido, this phrase is equal parts warning and motivation.
Example:
“When dem invite you go expensive restaurant, remember — if you no get money, hide your face!”
Why it’s funny abroad:
Diaspora Africans use it jokingly when living on a tight budget but pretending to “soft life” on Instagram.
5. “E shock you?”
This sarcastic reaction means, “Are you surprised?”
Example:
“When I tell am say I pass exam, e shout. I say — e shock you?”
Why it’s funny abroad:
Africans use it when unexpected things happen overseas — like snow in April or bus delays. It’s a way to turn frustration into laughter.
6. “No be juju be that?”
Said when something unbelievable happens — literally, “Is that not witchcraft?”
Example:
“My phone fall from 3rd floor and e still work — no be juju be that?”
Why it’s funny abroad:
Africans joke about “juju” when technology or coincidences seem too good (or too bad) to be true. It’s superstition meets sarcasm — pure comedy gold.
7. “Who dash monkey banana?”
A mocking phrase meaning, “Who gave that person something they don’t deserve?”
Example:
“Dem promote am? Who dash monkey banana?”
Why it’s funny abroad:
It perfectly captures that side-eye moment when a lazy coworker gets a raise. The phrase has crossed borders — even Caribbean Africans now use it with flair.
8. “Wahala be like bicycle.”
“Trouble is like a bicycle — easy to start, hard to stop.”
Example:
“I just borrow small money, now bank dey call every day. Wahala be like bicycle.”
Why it’s funny abroad:
It’s become a universal meme. Africans abroad drop it in group chats whenever drama unfolds — because “wahala” (trouble) always finds a way.
9. “Body no be firewood.”
Meaning, “The body needs rest.”
Example:
“I work three shifts today, I need sleep. Body no be firewood.”
Why it’s funny abroad:
Africans abroad overwork themselves — this phrase is a reminder that you’re human, not a robot. It’s both joke and wisdom rolled into one.
10. “Na small thing remain make I craze.”
Used when life is testing your patience.
Example:
“Visa process don tire me. Na small thing remain make I craze.”
Why it’s funny abroad:
Between immigration stress, bills, and culture shock, this joke feels painfully real. It’s a favorite among Africans balancing multiple hustles abroad.
Beyond the Laughter: Why Pidgin Jokes Matter
For Africans abroad, these jokes aren’t just funny — they’re therapy. They preserve identity, foster connection, and turn distance into belonging.
Social media platforms like TikTok and Instagram have amplified Pidgin humor, with creators such as Sabi Radio, Bodrexx, and Mama Tobi blending relatable African diaspora experiences with homegrown slang. Their viral clips prove that no matter where Africans go, Pidgin remains their laughter language.
According to Africa No Filter’s 2024 report on diaspora creativity, African humor is “a form of soft power,” shaping how the world perceives the continent — confident, creative, and joyfully resilient.
Pidgin jokes connect millions of Africans through shared laughter — from Ghanaian students in Germany to Nigerian nurses in Canada. They remind us that humor transcends geography, and that even abroad, home lives inside our laughter.
Sources:
- BBC Africa – “How Pidgin Became Africa’s Language of Humor” (2024)
- Africa No Filter – “African Diaspora Creativity Report” (2024)
