/kəˈmɔt/
Definition:
COMOT is a versatile Pidgin English verb meaning:
- To leave or depart (“I wan COMOT now”)
- To remove or take away (“COMOT your hand!”)
- To escape or flee (“The thief don run COMOT”)
- Synonyms: “Waka“ (go), “Gerrout“ (get out), “Japa“ (run away), “Vamoose”
- Antonyms: “Come”, “Enter”, “Stay”, “Siddon“ (sit down/stay)
Hear how native speakers pronounce COMOT in the video below.
Usage Examples:
- Informal: “Abeg COMOT for road make I pass!” (Please move from the road!)
- Formal: “The workers decided to COMOT from the unsafe building.”
- Idiomatic: “If trouble come, na to COMOT sharp sharp!” (When trouble comes, leave immediately!)
Cultural Context:
Origin: The word COMOT originates from the English word “Come Out,” which has been adapted and transformed in West African Pidgin English. Due to phonetic simplifications and linguistic evolution, “Come Out” was shortened to COMOT over time. This phenomenon is common in Creole and Pidgin languages, where English words are modified to fit local speech patterns and ease of pronunciation.
West African Pidgin English developed as a lingua franca during the transatlantic trade era, influenced by English, Portuguese, and indigenous African languages. As traders, laborers, and settlers communicated, certain English phrases became entrenched in everyday speech, with modifications that reflected local phonetics and grammatical structures.
Regional Usage:
COMOT is widely used in several West African countries, particularly in Nigeria, Ghana, Sierra Leone, Cameroon, and Liberia, where variations of Pidgin English are spoken. In Nigeria, for example, Pidgin is a common language in informal settings, marketplaces, streets, and even popular media. The word “COMOT” is easily understood across different ethnic groups, making it an essential part of daily communication.
In Ghana, a similar expression exists in Ghanaian Pidgin English, though the pronunciation and spelling may slightly vary. Sierra Leone Creole (Krio) also incorporates COMOT with a similar meaning. Due to the spread of Pidgin English through music, films, and social media, the word has gained recognition even among West Africans in the diaspora.
- Nigeria: Nationwide usage (most common in Lagos, Port Harcourt)
- Ghana: Used as “Komot” with same meaning
- Cameroon: “Comot” in Cameroonian Pidgin
- Diaspora: Common in African communities abroad
Now it’s your turn! Use COMOT in a sentence in the comments. Let’s see how creative you can get with it. Would you say “I wan COMOT for house now” or “Abeg, COMOT dat thing for my face”? Drop your sentences and let’s chat!