What is Composure in Nigerian Slang?

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You think you know the meaning of composure?… Well, let me tell you the new meaning in Nigeria.

Wait first!… This isn’t your English teacher’s definition. Don’t bother looking it up in a dictionary. This is the cool new meaning it’s taken on in Nigeria.

In our Naija slang, “composure” isn’t just about keeping a straight face when your crush walks by (though that’s part of it!). It’s way deeper than that. We’re using it to describe someone who’s got their act together, no matter what life throws their way.

Imagine strolling with a friend and a huge stray dog happens to come out a corner and starts barking and charging towards you guys.

Most people freak out, and start running in the opposite direction right?…  But then there’s that one person let’s call him (Ikechukwu) who calmly waits for the dog to approach and he takes hold of its ears and twists it in all directions, sending the dog running away with its tail between its legs.

Believe it or not I saw this happen with my own eyes!. That is composure right there.

Composure and Steeze

Now, let me introduce you to composure’s partner in crime – “steeze.” If you’re scratching your head wondering what the heck steeze is, don’t worry, just check it out here. Steeze is like the cool cousin of “Composure”.

So, when you hear the next person say “Composure” and “Steeze” together in one sentence, They’re painting a picture of someone who’s not just calm under pressure, but looks good doing it too.

It’s like they’ve got an invisible shield that deflects stress and makes them look fly at the same time.

From our example earlier, While most people will run around like headless chickens, Ikechukwu grabbed the dog by its ears!.

You might turn to your someone and say, “That dog was frightening… but Ikechukwu kept his composure the whole time. Real steeze.” That’s the perfect use of both words right there!

It’s More Than Just a Trendy Slang

Now, you might be thinking, “Okay, cool new slang, but why should I care?” Well, let me tell you, this isn’t just about sounding hip (though it definitely helps with that). The way we’re using “composure” says a lot about what we value as Nigerians.

Life in Nigeria can be tough sometimes, right? We’ve got our fair share of challenges. But you know what? We’ve always found ways to keep our heads up and even laugh about it. This slang is like a celebration of that resilience.

When we praise someone for their composure, we’re not just saying they’re calm. We’re saying they’ve got that special Nigerian spirit – the ability to face whatever comes their way with grace and maybe even a joke or two.

How to Level Up Your Composure

So, now that you know what it means, you might be wondering how to boost your own composure. Well, I’ve got some tips for you:

1. Take a deep breath: When things get crazy, pause and breathe. It sounds simple, but it works wonders.

2. Find the humor: Try to see the funny side of tough situations. It’s a very Nigerian thing to do!

3. Prepare for the unexpected: The more prepared you are, the easier it is to stay cool when surprises pop up.

4. Practice: Composure is like a muscle. The more you use it, the stronger it gets.

It’s not about never feeling stressed or upset. It’s about how you handle those feelings. As we say in Naija slang, “You need to work on your composure, bro. Don’t let small things shake you.”

Although most people abuse it, the next time you hear someone talking about composure in Nigerian slang, you’ll know exactly what they mean.

It’s not just about keeping calm – it’s about facing life’s challenges with that unique Nigerian flair.

Now, I’d love to hear from you. Have you used this slang before? Got any funny stories about someone showing amazing composure? Drop a comment below and let’s keep the conversation going!