Slang

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Slang

Slang (/slæŋ/) is a type of language that consists of words and phrases that are regarded as very informal, are more common in speech than writing, and are typically restricted to a particular context or group of people.

Etymology

The origin of the term "slang" is uncertain. It first appeared in print around 1800, used by canting academics in Britain who were lampooning the 'flash' language used by thieves. The term "slang" itself could possibly derive from the Scandinavian languages.

Related Terms

  • Jargon: Special words or expressions used by a profession or group that are difficult for others to understand.
  • Colloquialism: A word or phrase that is not formal or literary and is used in ordinary or familiar conversation.
  • Idiom: A group of words established by usage as having a meaning not deducible from those of the individual words.
  • Cant: A jargon or argot, a secret language.
  • Vernacular: The language or dialect spoken by the ordinary people of a country or region.

Usage

Slang is often used to identify with one's peers and, sometimes, to defy authority. It is often used in a humorous context and is a major part of popular culture. Slang terms are frequently particular to a certain subculture, such as musicians, and members of minority groups. Nevertheless, usage of slang expressions can spread outside their original arenas to become commonly understood, such as "cool" and "jive".

Examples

Some examples of slang include "bucks" for dollars, "kicks" for shoes, "specs" for glasses, and "suds" for beer.

See Also

External links

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