The popular Yoruba expression “Gúdù gúdù méje àti yàyà mẹ́fà” is rooted in a humorous colonial-era anecdote from Ibadan.
According to oral tradition, some Ibadan chiefs once attended an official meeting with a notoriously strict British district officer identified as Hezekiah Shunklebottom during the colonial period. Communication between the two parties was conducted through an interpreter, as was common in colonial administrative engagements.
During the meeting, the British officer was reportedly pleased with the report presented by the Ibadan chiefs. As the interpreter relayed the discussion, the officer repeatedly nodded in approval, saying:
“Good, good, good, good, good, good, good… yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah.”
One of the observant chiefs quietly counted the repetitions:
“Good” — seven times
“Yeah” — six times
Upon returning to Ibadan, the chiefs reportedly told the people that the oyinbo (European) had said:
“Ó ṣe gúdù gúdù méje àti yàyà mẹ́fà.”
(He did seven goods and six yeah-yeah.)
Over time, the phrase evolved into a playful Yoruba expression used to describe exaggerated praise, emphatic agreement, or a situation that has received overwhelming approval.
Cultural Significance
The story reflects:
The creative adaptation of English words into Yoruba phonetics.
The humor embedded in Yoruba oral tradition.
The way colonial encounters produced new idioms in everyday language.
Like many Yoruba expressions, “Gúdù gúdù méje àti yàyà mẹ́fà” blends wit, history, and linguistic creativity.
Source
Ibadan oral tradition and colonial-era anecdotes
Local historical narratives from Oyo State
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