MAUREEN WARUINGE ENTERTAINMENT JOURNALIST

18 January 2024

• A factoid is actually an item of unreliable information that is reported and repeated so often that it becomes accepted as fact.

One of the most used slang terms in 2023 was FACTS!! "Facts" is often used to emphasize the truth or validity of a statement. It is similar to saying "truth" or "for real."

In a video of young girls being interviewed, they discuss some of the things Kenyans do that puzzle them. For instance, 'bariki mzinga islap kwa ...'

This is a slang phrase popularized by singer Mejja, describing the elaborate way we bless a bottle before opening it.

The girls think this is a culture that needs to be dropped.

"My hot take is that Kenyan bottle blessing culture should be canceled. I'm so sorry, you guys definitely overdo it and I know and I don't mean to come for the culture I get it. It's exciting Ten minutes to open a bottle."

They mock how men open the bottle declaring before going on to reveal the new fashionable word that is trending. Apparently, it's not FACTS anymore, it's FACTOIDS! a word that is very much in vogue right now.

A second girl explained saying, "Umm the cool people are saying factoid instead of facts," She went on to insist, "You heard it here first."

The third friend agreed and repeated by saying, "You FACTOID."

The girls also urged Kenyans not to blast them pointing out that, "It was really good chatting with you guys. I hope you don't think we're crazy. and bratty."

Another disagreed and didn't care if they were bullied for their opinion. "No, it's okay we don't care either way. Love you guys."

The word is trending on Kenyan X.com (formerly known as Twitter).

Below are reactions:

@mutuahkiilu·.....Who else heard the word 'Factoids' with those baddies for the first time?

@Consultant__Ke·....Ukitumia Factoids pale localz

@iamwangoma.....Kuna hao wa Factoids halafu kuna hawa wa "Nitumie 100 aki"

@65bvndit·......"No cap i only spill factoids"

@trueViceKing·......Me pretending to understand what factoids are from uptown spoil kids with lazy eyes. Enyewe kaa we si wa the leafy Nairobi suburbs sahau content ya uyu jamaa

A factoid is actually an item of unreliable information that is reported and repeated so often that it becomes accepted as fact.