These are the two words that most foreigner (oyinbo) would caught off guard when in Nigeria.
The first one is wash, it does not reflect the actual act of cleaning for wanting a hygienic environment and the other one is dash, has anything to do with running or sprinkling small quantity seasoning into cooking.
Washing
Let us take a closer look at wash or washing.
Scenario 1: Ademola just got his first wheel after saving enough money to buy one by saving his .... Later that day, he brought his mom and dad (btw he is still single) to an eatery where they ate and celebrate his success and pray for more success in the future.
Scenario 2: Madam just turned 40! A big milestone in her life and since she is 'Madam', powerful and influential in its own right; decided to pull the stops and celebrate with her colleagues at office. On her birthday, she bought packed foods, cakes and drink for everyone in the department and selected few outside the group.
In short, when you receive a newly acquired item of significant value (car, house, boat, plane etc), career promotion, celebrating birthday and other celebration you can think of..... and you celebrate with friends and families, YOU WASH or in Madam's own word "something good happens to you and you celebrate with others"... there you go. Couldn't said it much better.
A word of caution, from my observation here in Nigeria for the past few years ... never, never I've seen a potluck party organised by my Naija friends or maybe I don't get invite to those one.
Dash
Dash is when you give smtg (usually money) as a gift or bribe to someone, after you receive a service (as thanks) or when you gave in after arguing with the officials asking for token at the airport or after you got stop by the authorities while driving and wishing you "Happy Weekend", you get the drift .... yup seriously.
It's against the law anyway... and there are posters all over the airport against this practice. In Malaysia, it carries stiff penalty and jail time... even for not reporting about giving, offering or promise of bribery. Best to avoid...
Dash is also when you slightly overpay or you tip the waiter at the restaurant, seller at the market or by the roadside. That sort of dash is an act of sadaqah (giving alms, voluntary offering) whose amount is at discretion of the giver. OK?
It's against the law anyway... and there are posters all over the airport against this practice. In Malaysia, it carries stiff penalty and jail time... even for not reporting about giving, offering or promise of bribery. Best to avoid...
Dash is also when you slightly overpay or you tip the waiter at the restaurant, seller at the market or by the roadside. That sort of dash is an act of sadaqah (giving alms, voluntary offering) whose amount is at discretion of the giver. OK?
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