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Sometimes, you meet a guy. Maybe a friend of a friend. You’re introduced to each other by name. You do the handshake and snap, but immediately you snapped fingers, you forgot his name. Fast forward to two weeks later. You’re walking down the street and you see this person. For the life of you, you can’t seem to remember his name. He is fast approaching you, and you have to act normal. What do you do?

Lucky for you, there are a ton of substitute names you can call a man whose name you’ve forgotten. These names come in very handy, especially if you suffer from persistently bad memory like I do.

1. Bro

This is the go-to one. Just shake his hand and go “Bro, how you dey now? Long time.” This also works if you don’t remember who the person is.

2. Guy

Another quick save. Use: “My guy see as you dey fresshhh.”

3. Chief

This is reserved for big boys, not just anybody. You can sprinkle a little bit of whining. “Ah big chief, it’s been a minute.”

4. Boss

If you went to a Nigerian university, you already know that every male person whose name you don’t remember is automatically your boss.

5. Alaye

If you feel like it, you can throw in a bit of Yoruba flavour.

6. Alobam

If he’s a brother from the east, go for alobam.

7. Nwoke’m

Another one for eastern brothers.

8. Padi

This means “friend” in Yoruba, and who else would you rather call a friend than someone whose name you don’t recall?

9. Chairman

This is also great for when you the name skips you. From when you see him from afar, just hail him “Chairman” with multiple exclamation marks. You’re welcome.

10. My Oga

A quick substitute, in case he has already called you boss and you don’t know what to say. Can be used across the six geopolitical zones of Nigeria.

11. Senior Man

If you want to add a drop of respect, go for “senior man”. Use: “Senior man, I hail oh.”  Best used with two hands in the air.

12. Broski

This is a derivative of bro Origin remains unknown

13. Big man

This also works in place of senior man.

Read: 11 Ways To Instantly Recognise A Nigerian Tech Bro

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