Slang is the use of informal words and expressions that are not considered standard in the speaker's language or dialect but are considered acceptable in certain social settings. Slang expressions may act as euphemisms and may be used as a means of identifying with one's peers.
Defining slang
Few linguists have endeavoured to clearly define what constitutes slang. Attempting to remedy this, Bethany K. Dumas and Jonathan Lighter argue that an expression should be considered "true slang" if it meets at least two of the following criteria:
- It lowers, if temporarily, "the dignity of formal or serious speech or writing"; in other words, it is likely to be considered in those contexts a "glaring misuse of register."
- Its use implies that the user is familiar with whatever is referred to, or with a group of people who are familiar with it and use the term.
- "It's a taboo term in ordinary discourse with people of a higher social status or greater responsibility. "
- It replaces "a well-known conventional synonym". This is done primarily to avoid discomfort caused by conventional phrases or by further elaboration.
Slang is different from jargon, which is the technical vocabulary of a particular profession, and which meets only the second of the criteria given above. Jargon, like many examples of slang, may be used to exclude non–group members from the conversation, but in general has the function of allowing its users to talk precisely about technical issues in any given field.
Extent and origins of slang
Slang can be regional (that is, used only in a particular territory), but slang terms are often particular instead to a certain subculture, such as music or video gaming. Nevertheless, slang expressions can spread outside their original areas to become commonly used, like cool and jive. Some words eventually lose their status as slang. The word mob, for example, began as a shortening of Latin mobile vulgus. When slang spreads beyond the group or subculture that originally used it, its original users sometimes replace it with other, less recognized terms to maintain group identity.
One use of slang is to circumvent social taboos, as mainstream language tends to shy away from evoking certain realities. For this reason, slang vocabularies are particularly rich in certain domains, such as violence, crime, drugs, and sex. Alternatively, slang can grow out of mere familiarity with the things described. Among wine drinkers, for example, Cabernet Sauvignon is often known as "Cab Sav," Chardonnay as "Chard" and so on; this means that naming the different wines expends less superfluous effort; it also helps to indicate the user's familiarity with wine. Slang often involves the creation of new meanings for existing words. It is common for such novel meanings to diverge significantly from the standard meaning. Thus, "cool" and "hot" can both mean "very good," "impressive," or "good-looking".
Slang terms are often known only within a clique or ingroup. For example, Leet ("Leetspeak" or "1337") was originally popular only among certain Internet subcultures, such as crackers and online video gamers. During the 1990s, and into the early 21st century, however, Leet became increasingly more commonplace on the Internet, and it has spread outside Internet-based communication and into spoken languages. Other types of slang include SMS language used on mobile phones, and "chatspeak," (e.g., "LOL", an acronym meaning "laughing out loud" or "laugh out loud" or ROFL, "rolling on the floor laughing"), which are widely used in instant messaging on the Internet.
Etymology
The origin of the word slang is uncertain. It has a connection with Thieves' cant, and the earliest attested use (1756) refers to the vocabulary of "low or disreputable" people. Beyond that, however, its origin is unclear. A Scandinavian origin has been proposed (compare, for example, Norwegian slengenavn, which means "nickname"), but is discounted by the Oxford English Dictionary based on "date and early associations"
FROM: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Slang
Worksheets and activities for teaching Slang language to English language learners (kids, teenagers or adults). Here you can find printable worksheets for many levels: beginners, elementary, intermediate or advanced.
All these worksheets and activities for teaching Slang language have been designed by English language teachers.
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More American Slang
At this very moment, there is probably a new slang
word being coined. Whether it becomes popular and lives on for many
years is another story entirely. New slang words can either spread like
wildfire or die quiet, lonely deaths. College campuses across the U.S.
are the perfect environments for new slang. UCLA's linguistic department
published their latest slang dictionary, U.C.L.A. Slang 6. It's full of words that are hot among young people.
Popular Slang Words
Here is a list of 10 popular slang words that are fast becoming a part of the everyday lingo for the young and hip:
- Sick - This is one of many slang words that mean the opposite of its original meaning. If something is "sick" it actually means it's cool or awesome. Example: Jennifer lives in a sick part of the city. It is full of restaurants and clubs.
- Presh - It is short for "precious." If you call something "presh" then it is very special. Example: Her new puppy is so presh.
- Bromance - a close male relationship. Basically a "bromance" is used to describe two guys who are best friends. Example: Matt and Dave are having a bromance. They are always together!
- You so Obama - This slang phrase is in reference to U.S. President Barack Obama. To be "so Obama" means that you are very cool and intelligent. Example: She just got accepted to Harvard University. She's so Obama.
- Spit game at - This phrase means to flirt. Example: James is such a flirt. He spits game at every new girl he meets.
- Chillax - Combination of the word "chill" and "relax," which is used to tell someone they should calm down. Example: Don't worry about the exam, just chillax and come to the party tonight.
- Total G - an impressive person. To compliment someone you use "total G." Example: Kevin got all A's in all his classes. He is a total G.
- Frenemy - an enemy that pretends to be a friend. Most of the time both people know that they are not really friends, but continue to associate with each other anyway. Example: Veronica and Carly used to be best friends at work, but now they are frenemies. They still talk do not really like each other.
- Recessionista - someone who finds fashionable items that are inexpensive. This slang word comes from the word "recession." Example: Sara is such a recessionista. Every week she always finds a cool item on sale.
- Destroy - another slang word that has an opposite meaning. To "destroy" means to do really well on something. Example: I didn't expect to destroy that exam. I got an A!
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British slang
British slang is English language slang used and originating in the United Kingdom, and also used to a limited extent in British expats in countries such as the Republic of Ireland, South Africa, the United States, Australia, and New Zealand.
Slang is informal language sometimes peculiar to a particular social
class or group and its use in Britain dates back to before the 16th
century. The language of slang, in common with the English language, is
changing all the time; new words and phrases are being added and some
are used so frequently by so many, they almost become mainstream.
While some slang words and phrases are used throughout all of Britain (e.g., knackered, meaning "exhausted"), others are restricted to smaller regions, even to small geographical groups. The nations of the United Kingdom, which are England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland all have their own slang words, as does London. London slang has many varieties, the best known of which is rhyming slang. The overseas nations of Britain also use this slang to a certain
extent, but also incorporate their own slang words to reflect their
different cultures. Not only is the slang used by British expats, but
some of these terms are incorporated into other countries daily slang,
such as in Canada and Ireland.
British slang has been the subject of many books including a seven volume dictionary, published in 1889. Lexicographer Eric Partridge published several works about British slang, most notably Dictionary of Slang and Unconventional English, revised and edited by Paul Beale.
FROM: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_slang
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