Sara had worn that pink dress she loves so much. She had been invited to a party but she didn't know what to wear. Then she remembered she has this pink gown she had reluctantly bought four years ago. She had worn it like six different to several occasions but each time she wore it felt as if she was wearing it for the first time. People never seem to stop telling her how beautiful she looked in it. A friend of the host she's meeting for the first time says "Your dress is so lovely." Sara smiles and goes on to say "Thanks. It's not really a new dress. I have worn it a couple of times but people never cease to stop admiring it."
"Always resist the urge to shalaye" was something I heard from the Quam character in Quam's money played by comedian/rapper Falz but I could have seen it a couple of times online.
Shalaye is a popular Nigerian slang mostly used in the southwestern part of the country. The word was coined from the Yoruba word Ṣe àlàyé meaning to explain. Even though the meaning of the word is very clear it has come to be associated with verbosity. A disinterested listener could mock the speaker by saying òun shalaye which even though it means he/she is explaining could translate as he/she's saying too much. Depending on the context it's used, it could come off as rude or funny to the person being addressed but mostly funny to those listening in on the conversation. The word is also used in normal conversations to get an explanation from someone or people.
Shalaye has come to be synonymous with unnecessary explanation in the Nigerian streets. This brings the scene of arrest in movies to mind when a culprit is told to be mindful of what they say because it could be used against them in the law court. Some people have this need to explain themselves every time they say something, even when all is required is for them to give a simple answer. Explanation is something that should be given only when necessary.
Though Sara sounded modest, the explanation was unnecessary.
A boastful person would go on to state how much and where they had bought it especially if they think it would add to their reputation. For a conversationalist, they could see it as small talk and an opportunity to build on it, others would consider it as off-putting.
The next time someone asks a simple question that requires a simple answer, give just that; a simple answer and fight the urge to shalaye unless it's required to do so. ✌
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