Slanglicious

Can you talk the talk?

Slang origins

The origin of the word slang is uncertain but the Oxford Dictionary defines it as a type of
language consisting of words and phrases that are regarded as very informal, more common in
speech than writing, and typically restricted to a particular context or group of people. In
laymans terms, if slang is our cup of tea, well refer to something pleasing to listen to as ear
candy and call a malleable person a doughface. Fun as it may be, slang should still be used
sparingly as it is highly unofficial and can be easily misunderstood. So before you ask
someone if you they want to snag a bite with you after class, take into account context, age
and social status. You dont want to be perceived as uneducated and downright rude.

What sets slang apart from jargon or colloquial speech?

Keeping in mind that jargon is considered standard language and slang is not, the border
separating the two is still somewhat blurred, as both are specific to a certain group or culture.
In what concerns colloquial speech, the latter can make use of slang but its not a must. One
method of distinguishing between a slangism and a colloquialism is to ask whether most
native speakers know the word (and use it); if they do, it is a colloquialism.

Who uses slang?

Teenagers are at the top of the slang users list. Teens develop their own idioms and
expressions that make adults scratch their heads, trying to figure out what the slang means
(and if its something they should be upset about.) However, its not long until one of the hip
parents picks up on a term and uses it themselves, to the everlasting embarrassment of their
children. Nothing quite like your mum saying her cookies are dope, is there?

Why do we use slang?

We use slang for a myriad of reasons: as an exercise in wit and humor, to escape from
clichs, or to be brief and concise, to enrich language, to appear different, to establish contact
with a certain group or to be perceived as belonging to a group and to exclude non-members
from a conversation.

Developing slang language words and phrases

Some words in slang develop from meaning one thing, to meaning
another. For example, if somethings tope (a combination of tight and
dope both words meaning cool), its somewhere in the stratosphere of
utter coolness. Another good example is frenemy (a combination of friend
and enemy, referring to a person who only pretends to be your friend,
when in fact theyre quite the opposite.)
Other slang words are developed outside of the usual context of words and
are just combinations of thoughts that create a new word. For
example, greycation means having your grandparents join your vacation,
while awesomity implies the highest state of awesome. Some slang
comes from a need to describe new recreational or Internet activities
including social networking such as planking (laying your body on top of
an object and balancing there while stretched out and stiffened) and
friend and unfriend (adding or removing someone to a circle of
communication such as in Facebook or other social media networks)
More fantabulous slang
Duded-up= dressed up
Flatfoot= policeman
Giggle academy= psychiatric institution
Have a spark in ones throat= to be keen on, enthusiastic
Hootennany= nonsense
Swoony= delightful
Not the full cup of tea= not very intelligent
Not to be sneezed at= not to be overlooked
Not give rotten apples= to not care at all
Knocking dog= in abundance
Easy as falling off a log= very easy
Five finger sandwich= a punch
Go to school in August= to be uneducated
The Bomb= very cool