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Slang is very informal language or specific words used by a particular group of people. You’ll usually hear slang spoken more often than you’ll see it put in writing, though emails and texts often contain many conversational slang words.
Though slang sometimes gets a bad rap for being inappropriate or incorrect, it’s also highly creative and shows that the English language is constantly evolving over time. Let’s dive in to 30 examples of slang words from the 1920s to today.
Some slang words that were once popular are no longer used. For example:
Cat’s pajamas: This term was commonly used by flappers in the 1920s to mean that something was exciting, new, or excellent. Though it doesn’t make much sense, it does use vivid imagery. “That new phonograph is the cat’s pajamas.”
Wallflower: This term describes a shy person. It was used for decades in the 20th century to describe a person – typically a girl – who preferred to stand along the wall instead of participating in a dance. “You’ll have more fun at the dance if you aren’t such a wallflower.” slang words definition and examples
Don’t have a cow: This term is used to try to calm someone down. It was popularized by the TV show The Simpsons in the 1980s and 90s, and though you might still hear Bart say it in reruns, it’s no longer very common to hear in conversation. “Don’t have a cow, mom! I didn’t eat all the ice cream.”
Some slang words change their meaning over time, usually across generations. This keeps the word in usage but can lead to some miscommunication between older and younger speakers. For example:
Busted: To your grandparents, “busted” probably meant that something was broken. To your parents, it means getting caught doing something wrong. The latest use? As an adjective to mean “ugly.” “No, I won’t go out with your little sister. She’s busted.”
Ride: Originally a verb for the act of being a passenger in a vehicle, this word also evolved into a noun to describe a car. Most recently, “my rides” can mean sneakers. “I got new rides to match my favorite shirt.”
Hip: Originally “hip” or “hep” meant someone very fashionable in the first half of the 20th century. It evolved to mean someone into jazz and beatnik culture in the 1940s and 50s, and changed further still into “hippie” to describe flower children of the 60s. Today it’s changed again to “hipster,” meaning a self-aware, artsy person. “My hip grandfather plays the sax, but my hipster brother just makes homemade pickles.”
Some slang terms are created by combining two words into one that has a new meaning. A new word created by combining portions of two existing words is called a portmanteau, and they are very popular as a way to give a new name to a celebrity couple. For example, the actors Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie were known as “Brangelina” when they were married. Other examples of portmanteaus:
Frenemy: This combination of “friend” and “enemy” describes a person who is a little bit of both, perhaps a friend with whom one experiences regular conflict. “You’d be a lot happier if you stopped hanging out with your frenemy.”
Bromance: This combination of “brother” and “romance” describes an intense friendship between two straight men. “I haven’t seen Michael since he started hanging out with Jeremy. Their bromance is epic.”
Ginormous: This combination of “gigantic” and “enormous” means something very large. “You could find a parking space more easily is your car wasn’t so ginormous.”
Slang is changing all the time, but here’s a list of modern slang terms:
BAE: A term of endearment, meaning “before anyone else,” used between romantic partners that can also be used between close friends. “Bae, you’re the best.”
Basic: A put-down describing someone or something that’s very common or a conformist. “Those women are so basic. They’re only drinking pumpkin spice lattes because everyone else is.”
Bye Felicia: A fast way to tell someone to go away. This term comes from the 1995 movie Friday. “I know you’re just copying my style. Bye Felicia.”
Coin: Another way to refer to money. “She’s about to earn some major coin.”
Dying: Something that was so funny, you died laughing. “OMG. This standup is hilarious. I’m dying.”
Epic: If somewhat was “epic,” it was highly enjoyable. “His latest novel was epic.”
Extra: If someone’s “extra,” it means they’re way too dramatic. “Her boyfriend was always putting her down, calling her extra.”
Fierce: Usually attributed to Beyonce, “fierce” signifies a strong, independent person. “I love her to death. She’s so fierce!”
GOAT: Current usage is actually a compliment, as this is now an acronym that stands for “greatest of all time.” “I don’t care what you say, because Tom Brady is the goat.”
Lit: If something is “lit,” it means it’s super cool or “on fire.” “Last night’s party was lit.”
Low key: If someone or something is “low key,” it means it’s being done under the radar or they don’t want anyone to know. “I low key love Imagine Dragons, but don’t tell anyone!”
On point: Outstanding, perfectly executed. “Her accessories are on point. She looks great.”
Read: To “read” someone means you’re calling them out for their bad behavior. “Wow. Stefon read Amy for filth at last night’s dinner.”
Salty: Angry or bitter about something. “Why are you so salty? I said I would share if I win the lottery.”
Savage: Someone who “roasts” people nonstop and doesn’t care what others will say. “Jimmy Kimmel’s monologue on Donald Trump last night was savage.”
Ship: Short for “romantic relationship,” sometimes used as a verb. “Everyone wants to ship Edward and bella, but they say they’re just good friends.
The tea: When someone is dishing “the tea,” they’re gossiping, particularly with the juiciest or most dramatic gossip. “Let’s call Wendy. She always has the tea.”
Thirsty: If someone’s “thirsty,” it means they’re a little too eager or even desperate. “Look at the way she dressed for their second date. She’s way too thirsty.”
Throw shade: To “throw shade” means to insult or say something unkind about someone. “I can’t believe he said that. He just threw some serious shade.”
Woke: Slang for “awakened,” as in being highly aware of social injustices. “If you’re so woke, why didn’t you vote?”
Because slang terms are often only understood by people in a certain group, using slang is, above all, a way to show that you belong. You show that you’re one of the crowd by using terms that others don’t understand, and you can connect with like-minded people who understand just what you mean by using the latest slang terms.
For this reason, slang is often a mark of being “cool,” or at least in the know about something. People who are “in” with a group know the slang, and people who aren’t don’t. Slang is, therefore, a way to use language to separate yourself from others. The best example of this is the way each generation of teens uses new slang to separate themselves from their tragically uncool parents.
Over time, slang terms either die out from lack of use as groups move on to new terminology, or they may become so popular that they are absorbed into the common language. In this case, everyone understands the terms, and they aren’t likely to be considered inappropriate or poor grammar any longer. This is how language grows and evolves over time, as new words are added to the dictionary while old ones fall into disuse and disappear.
One of the most exciting aspects of the English language is that it’s constantly evolving. As each generation comes of age, it adds new and creative slang to the culture, so you’re sure to hear something new pretty regularly.
The best way to learn unfamiliar slang is by paying attention to context clues and listening to a new term a few times before you try to use it. When you do, you’ll be marking yourself as someone in the know, whether you’re the cat’s pajamas, totally hip or on point. slang words definition and examples
For an overview on slang from different decades, read our article History of American Slang Words, or browse any number of YourDictionary’s articles on different types – and eras – of slang.
MLA Style
“30 Examples of Slang Words.” YourDictionary, n.d. Web. 08 July 2019. .
APA Style
30 Examples of Slang Words. (n.d.). Retrieved July 08th, 2019, from https://examples.yourdictionary.com/20-examples-of-slang-language.html
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Slang is very informal language or specific words used by a particular group of people. You’ll usually hear slang spoken more often than you’ll see it put in writing, though emails and texts often contain many conversational slang words.
Though slang sometimes gets a bad rap for being inappropriate or incorrect, it’s also highly creative and shows that the English language is constantly evolving over time. Let’s dive in to 30 examples of slang words from the 1920s to today.
Some slang words that were once popular are no longer used. For example:
Cat’s pajamas: This term was commonly used by flappers in the 1920s to mean that something was exciting, new, or excellent. Though it doesn’t make much sense, it does use vivid imagery. “That new phonograph is the cat’s pajamas.”
Wallflower: This term describes a shy person. It was used for decades in the 20th century to describe a person – typically a girl – who preferred to stand along the wall instead of participating in a dance. “You’ll have more fun at the dance if you aren’t such a wallflower.” slang words definition and examples
Don’t have a cow: This term is used to try to calm someone down. It was popularized by the TV show The Simpsons in the 1980s and 90s, and though you might still hear Bart say it in reruns, it’s no longer very common to hear in conversation. “Don’t have a cow, mom! I didn’t eat all the ice cream.”
Some slang words change their meaning over time, usually across generations. This keeps the word in usage but can lead to some miscommunication between older and younger speakers. For example:
Busted: To your grandparents, “busted” probably meant that something was broken. To your parents, it means getting caught doing something wrong. The latest use? As an adjective to mean “ugly.” “No, I won’t go out with your little sister. She’s busted.”
Ride: Originally a verb for the act of being a passenger in a vehicle, this word also evolved into a noun to describe a car. Most recently, “my rides” can mean sneakers. “I got new rides to match my favorite shirt.”
Hip: Originally “hip” or “hep” meant someone very fashionable in the first half of the 20th century. It evolved to mean someone into jazz and beatnik culture in the 1940s and 50s, and changed further still into “hippie” to describe flower children of the 60s. Today it’s changed again to “hipster,” meaning a self-aware, artsy person. “My hip grandfather plays the sax, but my hipster brother just makes homemade pickles.”
Some slang terms are created by combining two words into one that has a new meaning. A new word created by combining portions of two existing words is called a portmanteau, and they are very popular as a way to give a new name to a celebrity couple. For example, the actors Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie were known as “Brangelina” when they were married. Other examples of portmanteaus:
Frenemy: This combination of “friend” and “enemy” describes a person who is a little bit of both, perhaps a friend with whom one experiences regular conflict. “You’d be a lot happier if you stopped hanging out with your frenemy.”
Bromance: This combination of “brother” and “romance” describes an intense friendship between two straight men. “I haven’t seen Michael since he started hanging out with Jeremy. Their bromance is epic.”
Ginormous: This combination of “gigantic” and “enormous” means something very large. “You could find a parking space more easily is your car wasn’t so ginormous.”
Slang is changing all the time, but here’s a list of modern slang terms:
BAE: A term of endearment, meaning “before anyone else,” used between romantic partners that can also be used between close friends. “Bae, you’re the best.”
Basic: A put-down describing someone or something that’s very common or a conformist. “Those women are so basic. They’re only drinking pumpkin spice lattes because everyone else is.”
Bye Felicia: A fast way to tell someone to go away. This term comes from the 1995 movie Friday. “I know you’re just copying my style. Bye Felicia.”
Coin: Another way to refer to money. “She’s about to earn some major coin.”
Dying: Something that was so funny, you died laughing. “OMG. This standup is hilarious. I’m dying.”
Epic: If somewhat was “epic,” it was highly enjoyable. “His latest novel was epic.”
Extra: If someone’s “extra,” it means they’re way too dramatic. “Her boyfriend was always putting her down, calling her extra.”
Fierce: Usually attributed to Beyonce, “fierce” signifies a strong, independent person. “I love her to death. She’s so fierce!”
GOAT: Current usage is actually a compliment, as this is now an acronym that stands for “greatest of all time.” “I don’t care what you say, because Tom Brady is the goat.”
Lit: If something is “lit,” it means it’s super cool or “on fire.” “Last night’s party was lit.”
Low key: If someone or something is “low key,” it means it’s being done under the radar or they don’t want anyone to know. “I low key love Imagine Dragons, but don’t tell anyone!”
On point: Outstanding, perfectly executed. “Her accessories are on point. She looks great.”
Read: To “read” someone means you’re calling them out for their bad behavior. “Wow. Stefon read Amy for filth at last night’s dinner.”
Salty: Angry or bitter about something. “Why are you so salty? I said I would share if I win the lottery.”
Savage: Someone who “roasts” people nonstop and doesn’t care what others will say. “Jimmy Kimmel’s monologue on Donald Trump last night was savage.”
Ship: Short for “romantic relationship,” sometimes used as a verb. “Everyone wants to ship Edward and bella, but they say they’re just good friends.
The tea: When someone is dishing “the tea,” they’re gossiping, particularly with the juiciest or most dramatic gossip. “Let’s call Wendy. She always has the tea.”
Thirsty: If someone’s “thirsty,” it means they’re a little too eager or even desperate. “Look at the way she dressed for their second date. She’s way too thirsty.”
Throw shade: To “throw shade” means to insult or say something unkind about someone. “I can’t believe he said that. He just threw some serious shade.”
Woke: Slang for “awakened,” as in being highly aware of social injustices. “If you’re so woke, why didn’t you vote?”
Because slang terms are often only understood by people in a certain group, using slang is, above all, a way to show that you belong. You show that you’re one of the crowd by using terms that others don’t understand, and you can connect with like-minded people who understand just what you mean by using the latest slang terms.
For this reason, slang is often a mark of being “cool,” or at least in the know about something. People who are “in” with a group know the slang, and people who aren’t don’t. Slang is, therefore, a way to use language to separate yourself from others. The best example of this is the way each generation of teens uses new slang to separate themselves from their tragically uncool parents.
Over time, slang terms either die out from lack of use as groups move on to new terminology, or they may become so popular that they are absorbed into the common language. In this case, everyone understands the terms, and they aren’t likely to be considered inappropriate or poor grammar any longer. This is how language grows and evolves over time, as new words are added to the dictionary while old ones fall into disuse and disappear.
One of the most exciting aspects of the English language is that it’s constantly evolving. As each generation comes of age, it adds new and creative slang to the culture, so you’re sure to hear something new pretty regularly.
The best way to learn unfamiliar slang is by paying attention to context clues and listening to a new term a few times before you try to use it. When you do, you’ll be marking yourself as someone in the know, whether you’re the cat’s pajamas, totally hip or on point. slang words definition and examples
For an overview on slang from different decades, read our article History of American Slang Words, or browse any number of YourDictionary’s articles on different types – and eras – of slang.
MLA Style
“30 Examples of Slang Words.” YourDictionary, n.d. Web. 08 July 2019. .
APA Style
30 Examples of Slang Words. (n.d.). Retrieved July 08th, 2019, from https://examples.yourdictionary.com/20-examples-of-slang-language.html
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An Introduction to English Slang: 30 Wonderful Examples
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As if there wasn’t already enough to learn when you’re trying to master the art of speaking English, an informal language all of its own exists within this tricky tongue.
This is the language of English slang: the words that aren’t usually taught within formal English courses, but that you’ll hear all around you when you’re conversing with native speakers. You could think of this as “real life” English, because although it isn’t appropriate in an academic context, it’s a vital element of everyday communication, without which you may struggle to understand what native speakers are saying to you. This guide introduces you to some of the most common slang terms you may come across in the course of informal conversation in the UK.
This perplexing rhyme is a nonsense phrase that describes something excellent. “It was the bee’s knees,” you might say in response to being asked how your delicious lunch was. You could also use it to describe someone who loves themselves: “He thinks he’s the bee’s knees.” This odd expression is thought to have its origins in 1920s America.
There are slang terms for larger amounts of money, such as a ‘ton’ for £100 or a ‘grand’ for £1000.
Our currency is officially known as the “pound sterling”, but many more informal terms exist to describe money in the UK. “Pounds” is the way you’ll most often hear it referred to as, but “quid” is an equally common slang word for it – as in “It costs fifty quid”. “Cash”, “dosh”, “moolah”, “dough” and “wonga” are all slang words for general money, though “cash” is by far the most common of these. A “fiver” is slang for £5, and a “tenner” is slang for £10. It’s worth noting that the same principle does not apply to larger sums – so £20 is not referred to as a “twentier”, for example.
The abbreviation “DIY” stands for “Do It Yourself”, and it tends to refer to home improvements. Thus a shop selling items for home improvers (paint, brushes, doors and so on) can be known as a “DIY shop”. You may hear the abbreviation in certain other contexts, though less frequently: a “DIY meal planner”, for instance.
Some UK TV shows have become such institutions that there are slang terms for them, such as ‘Corrie’ for the soap Coronation Street.
Considering that the television is a comparatively recent invention (at least relative to the history of the English language), it’s surprising how many slang words we have for it. It’s perhaps most commonly known as the “telly”, but the abbreviation “TV” is also very common, and so is calling it “the box” (“is there anything on the box tonight?”). A more unusual slang term for the television is the “Electronic Fireplace”, which is much older and stems from the fact that the television has replaced the fire as something to stare at in the evenings. A multitude of words exist to describe the remote control for a television, too – 57, to be precise. Also television related: if you hear someone refer to “the Beeb”, they’re referring to the BBC, or British Broadcasting Corporation, the main supplier of television programmes in this country.
When someone has “lost the plot”, it essentially means that they’ve gone mad, or that they have no idea what’s going on. It’s something you might say about yourself on those occasions where you feel as though you’re seeing things (“I thought I’d lost the plot”).
En route to school or skiving off?
The word “skiving” means avoiding work or school; someone who’s skipped school or work, or who has arrived late or left early, is “skiving off”. Someone committing this is a “skiver”. Another word meaning a similar thing is “bunk off”, as in “to bunk off school/work”. Another expression along these lines (funny how we have so many for this kind of thing) is “pull a sickie”, which means “to skive off work/school by pretending to be ill”. In the same vein, but not quite the same, is the word “dossing”, which means lazing around doing nothing (the implication usually being that you should be doing something).
This means “not bothered” or “I don’t mind”. For example, if someone asked you which seat you preferred, you would say “I’m not fussed” to indicate that you don’t have a preference.
This is a phrase not meant to be taken literally: when someone says that something is “killing them”, it normally means “really hurting”. For example, “my legs are killing me after that run” would mean that your legs were hurting.
Be careful with the word “chap” – it may lead to people picturing you like this.
A “chap” is simply a man, though the word has connotations of niceness – “an affable chap” – and it’s generally a slang word used by those who might be deemed ‘posh’ or slightly old-fashioned. A less posh slang word for a man is “bloke”, and so is “guy”. More old-fashioned than “chap” is “fellow”.
The word “mobile” refers to the ability to move (“she’s less mobile since the accident”), and to a decorative object hanging from the ceiling, but it also refers to the mobile phone, so if you hear someone refer to their “mobile”, that’s what they’re talking about. The equivalent word for “mobile” in America is “cell”.
The term “bits and bobs” refers to a collection of small things, as does its variant, “bits and pieces”. Examples include, “I’m going into town to do some bits and pieces of shopping” or “she brought me over some bits and bobs to keep me entertained – magazines, DVDs and suchlike”.
While the word “gutted” literally refers to something that has had its guts removed (a “gutted fish”, for example) or to the past tense of the verb “to gut” meaning to remove the guts, it’s also a way to describe feelings of devastation. “I’m absolutely gutted that we lost”, for example.
“Oh no! My bike’s been nicked!”
A number of English slang words are synonymous with “stole”, one of the most common being “nicked” – “Someone nicked my bike.” Others include “pinched”, “filched” and “pilfered”.
The word “dodgy” has different meanings depending on the context in which it is used, but in its essence it means “unreliable”. For example, a “dodgy curry” is one that would give you a bad tummy the next day. A “dodgy connection” in an electric socket would cause anything plugged into it to malfunction, or be underpowered. A “dodgy character” is an untrustworthy or unreliable person; if you were walking down the street at night and saw a “dodgy-looking guy” coming towards you, you’d probably cross the road to avoid him. If a situation looks as though it might take a turn for the worse, you might describe it as a “dodgy situation”.
The word “chuffed” signifies that you’re really pleased about something: “I’m so chuffed at your news”. It’s also found in the expression “chuffed to bits”, which means the same thing, but even more so.
Chippies also often have wonderfully punning names, such as ‘The Frying Squad’ and ‘The CodFather.’
The “chippy” is the local fish and chip shop.
slang words definition and examples
The word “blimey” is an exclamation used when you’re commenting on something remarkable, such as “Blimey, that’s a big onion.” It has associations with Cockney – an East London dialect – but it’s widely used beyond the capital.
As well as being the highest card in a suit in a pack of cards, or a move in tennis in which a player scores a point in one move, “ace” is another word for “excellent”. To this end, someone who is particularly good at something is referred to as an “ace” – such as a “computer ace” or a “flying ace”.
A traditional British dinner consists of “meat and two veg”.
“Veg” is slang for “vegetables”, and you may often see this word on menus, particularly at country pubs (“roast veg”, “garden veg” and so on). On a similar theme, we Brits have several words for “potatoes”, the most prevalent of which is “spuds”; others include “tatties” (which is Scottish in origin), “jackets” (potatoes baked with their skins still on) and “roasties” (roast potatoes).
The word “sarnie” is slang for “sandwich”, and so is “butty” (as in “bacon butty”). Other snack-related slang words you might encounter include “a bite to eat” (as in “I’m going to have a bite to eat” when you’re telling someone you’re going to have lunch), “grub” (the origins of which are explained here), “bangers and mash” (sausages with mashed potato) and “bickie” (a biscuit – or “choccie bickie” for a chocolate biscuit).
Walking into some British homes, you might find yourself greeted not with “hello!” but with “cuppa?”
The Brits are so famous for their love of tea that it’s not surprising that there are a few alternative ways of describing it. One of them is “a brew” (as in “Anyone fancy a brew?”), and another is “a cuppa”. The phrase “builder’s tea” is often used to describe strong, sweet tea with milk, usually served in a big mug. A “cream tea” refers to scones served with jam and clotted cream as well as a cup of tea.
When you’re “miffed”, you’re a bit annoyed or put out about something. You might say, for example, “I’m so miffed that nobody let me know.”
A “kip” is a short sleep, usually referring to one taken during the day for a brief rest, and also known as a “nap”. It’s a similar sort of thing to the “siesta” of the Mediterranean, only you can have a kip or a nap at any time of day.
A typical local newspaper headline.
This is a marginally disparaging phrase for your town’s local newspaper. The word “rag” technically refers to a scrap of old cloth, often a dirty one, and these connotations of worthlessness are carried across to express the generally poor quality of stories typically covered in local newspapers.
The expression “see ya” (literally “see you” – in turn, a shortening of the expression “I’ll be seeing you”) is often used as an alternative to “bye”.
When you’re “taking the mickey” or “taking the mick” out of someone, it means you’re taking liberties with them at their expense, or teasing them. This expression can be used sarcastically; if, for example, someone was expecting you to do something unreasonable, or go to extraordinary lengths to do something for them, you might say that they were “taking the mick”.
Queen Victoria showing her wealth.
If something “costs an arm and a leg”, it means it’s extremely expensive. A popular but untrue story to explain this expression comes from the days when people used to have their portraits painted, and artists charged more depending on how much of the person was to be depicted; the cheapest was head and shoulders, and it would get progressively more expensive up to “legs and all”.
In English, we have various slang words meaning “extremely tired” or “tired to the point of exhaustion”. One of the most common is “shattered” (which, technically speaking, refers to something breaking into lots of tiny pieces, such as shattered glass). Another one is “knackered”, and another is “done in”, as in “I’m so done in from that run earlier.”
This means to be full of food to the point at which you can eat no more. As in, “I don’t think I can manage dessert, I’m stuffed.” Another similar expression is “fit to burst”, which means the same thing.
Being born within earshot of the St Mary-le-Bow bells makes you a cockney.
Finally, no guide to English slang would be complete without some mention of the country’s most famous niche lingo: Cockney rhyming slang. All regions of the UK have their own dialects, and with them, their own slang words that only people from that region would understand, but Cockney rhyming slang is more famous and complicated than most, and it’s popular with tourists. The basis of this slang is, as the term suggests, that it rhymes: the “dog” is short for “dog and bone”, for example, and it means the phone (because “bone” rhymes with “phone”). The “apples and pears” is the stairs. “Trouble” is another word for wife, short for “trouble and strife”. “Plates” are the feet, or “plates of meat”. It doesn’t make as much sense as many of the other slang terms we’ve included on this list, and it’s not as widely spoken, but it’s one of many eccentric facets of British culture worth knowing about.
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Image credits: banner; money; telly; skiving; chap; nicked; chippy; veg; cuppa; headline; Queen Victoria; St Mary-le-Bow.
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Slang consists of words that are non-standard in a given language and is generally spoken to show inclusion in a certain social group. Social groups can be very small—from just a few friends—to very large, e.g., millions of people who frequent a website. Slang is usually considered informal, and thus is common in speech but not in writing (unless that writing is texting or internet chatting). The usage of slang often implies a certain familiarity between those who use it together, and may show certain attitudes on the part of the speaker.
The etymology of the word slang is uncertain. It was first used in the mid-1700s and at that time the definition of slang referred to the specific vocabulary of lower class or disreputable people. As time went on, slang no longer referred to language spoken by disreputable people, but certainly it meant something cruder than formally educated speech. Some theorists have posited that “slang” has the same Scandinavian origin as the word “sling,” meaning “to throw around.”
There are thousands of words in English alone that are examples of slang. These words come in and out of popularity. Generally slang words are created in a spontaneous manner within a social group; when they begin to be adopted outside of that social group they are often dropped in favor of new words.
Here are some slang examples from different spheres:
slang words definition and examples
There are plenty of examples of slang from the rise of the internet and subsequent rise of social media. The terms below are now much too popular to be “cool,” but remain as slang terms for the significance they have taken on.
One of the most intriguing systems of slang was developed in the mid-1800s in East London. To create a language that was elusive to outsiders, people in that area substituted certain words for others in a process of finding a rhyming pair and subtracting the actual rhyming word. Here are some examples:
No doubt these slang terms from the mid-2010s will soon become obsolete:
Authors generally use slang in their works of literature to show that the narrative belongs to a certain time and place. Slang is most often found in dialogue, as characters reveal the social group they feel they belong to. Narrators also sometimes use slang when they function as a character in the story. Some slang words are also so embedded in a culture that authors might use them to mean something which is obvious at the time of writing, but which must be interpreted by readers later on.
FALSTAFF: ’Sblood, you starveling, you elfskin, you dried neat’s tongue, you bull’s pizzle, you stockfish! O, for breath to utter what is like thee! You tailor’s-yard, you sheath, you bowcase, you vile standing tuck—
(Henry IV, Part 1 by William Shakespeare)
William Shakespeare was noted both for his use of slang examples from his day and also for creating new slang terms. In this short excerpt from Henry IV, Part 1, the characters of Falstaff and Prince Henry trade rounds of insults. We see many slang terms in just this short speech full of invective. Falstaff begins with the contraction “‘Sblood,” which stands for “God’s blood,” and was slang for a swear word. The rest of the speech is basically just a list of other insulting slang words.
“He’s a bootlegger,” said the young ladies, moving somewhere between his cocktails and his flowers. “One time he killed a man who had found out that he was nephew to Von Hindenburg and second cousin to the devil. Reach me a rose, honey, and pour me a last drop into that there crystal glass.”
(The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald)
F. Scott Fitzgerald’s novel The Great Gatsby is set during Prohibition Era in the United States of America. This was not a time in which alcohol was not imbibed, but instead a time when people had to obtain their liquor illegally. This gave rise to a whole subculture, of which “bootleggers” were at the center. The term came from hiding alcohol in the leg of one’s boot. The women in this passage refer to the term casually, knowing that all will understand it, but in its inception it was a slang word.
AMANDA: They knew how to entertain their gentlemen callers. It wasn’t enough for a girl to be possessed of a pretty face and a graceful figure – although I wasn’t slighted in either respect. She also needed to have a nimble wit and a tongue to meet all occasions.
(The Glass Menagerie by Tennessee Williams)
Amanda, the mother in Tennessee Williams’s The Glass Menagerie, uses slang from her own era in the American South. She refers to suitors as “gentleman callers” to make their purpose seem more noble. She also talks about the qualities that a woman should possess, including the slang terms “graceful figure,” “nimble wit,” and “a tongue.” While these terms are still understandable in modern-day America, they are somewhat euphemistic about the qualities they represent.
He’s in a pure bevvying mood, so ah tap some cash off ay um. We tan four pints ay heavy then get on the train. Ah dae four cans of Export and two lines ay speed during the journey to Glasgow.
(Trainspotting by Irvine Welsh)
Irvine Welsh used the Scottish dialect for his novel Trainspotting, and uses many colloquialism examples and slang terms as well. In the above excerpt we see the slang phrase “a pure bevvying mood,” which means, in this case, someone who has a strong urge to drink alcohol.
1. Which of the following statements is the best slang definition?A. A form of speaking that is informal and signals inclusion in a specific social group.B. A subset of language used in a certain profession.C. A groups of words or phrases which are used only in a certain geographic region.
2. Which of the following words could be Cockney rhyming slang for “stairs”?A. Steps (from “steps and ladders”)B. Chairs (from “tables and chairs”)C. Apples (from “apples and pears”)
3. Which of the following lines from F. Scott Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby contains an example of slang?
A.
A man named Klipspringer was there so often and so long that he became known as “the boarder.”— I doubt if he had any other home.
B.
He saw me looking with admiration at his car.
“It’s pretty, isn’t it, old sport?” He jumped off to give me a better view. “Haven’t you ever seen it before?”
C.
And then came that disconcerting ride. We hadn’t reached West Egg village before Gatsby began leaving his elegant sentences unfinished and slapping himself indecisively on the knee of his caramel-colored suit.
Words that are not a part of standard vocabulary or language, and which are used informally, are called “slang.” These words are more commonly used in speech than in writing.
Every culture and every region across the globe has its own slang. Some of these include American slang, Costa Rican slang, Spanish slang and South African slang. European English regions, such as Wales, Ireland, and Scotland also have their own slang.
They all sat wondering how they were going to attack the enemy with the water balloon. One of the little boys finally suggested, “I can run up on him from behind that tree, jump right on him, and Bob’s your uncle – mission accomplished!”
The slang term used in this sentence is “Bob’s your uncle,” which means “there you have it.” This phrase found its origin when, in 1887, British Prime Minister Robert Gascoyne-Cecil appointed his nephew, Arthur Balfour, to the seat of Minister for Ireland. Balfour referred to his uncle as “Uncle Bob,” and the people decided it was a simple matter to be proclaimed Prime Minister if “Bob’s your uncle.” This slang is mostly used by British citizens.
“Last night was flop. I was supposed to go to a party with my friends, but they flopped on me. They are all such floppers.”slang words definition and examples
Here the slang term being used is “flop,” which means a planned event does not happen. A “flopper” is someone who cancels the plans at the last minute.
“I’m so upset about my birthday party pictures. My brother is making faces behind me in every picture, what a photo bomb!”
In the sentence above, “photo bomb” is the slang term. This is when a person or an object accidentally or intentionally appears in the background of a photo and as a result, ruins it.
“I got a job promotion even though I don’t go to work half the time. I’m so sick.”
Here, the slang term used is “sick,” which literally means “ill.” However, in slang it refers to something being awesome or cool. This type of slang terminology is mostly used by teenagers.
“I can’t believe she went and told my father about everything just to get me in trouble, what a hater.”
The slang term used here is “hater,” which refers to someone who is jealous or angry towards another person because of their success.
“The students caught cheating on the test were given the third-degree by the principal.”
The slang used in the sentence above is “third-degree,” which means “to be interrogated.”
“I can’t believe my life has passed so quickly. Now that I am in the hospital, I’ll probably just kick the bucket here.”
The slang being used here is “kick the bucket,” which means to die. Some people believe that this term is derived from the historical practice of having a person sentenced to hanging stand on a bucket – rope tied around his neck. The bucket was then kicked out from under his feet, leaving him hanging by the neck.
“The kids were ready to bite my arm off just because I promised to take them to the candy store.”
The slang phrase being used here is “bite my arm off,” which means to “get overexcited.”
Slang allows a person to become creative in the use of language. Some people use slang in order to communicate with each other informally. Similarly, people using slang are able to identify other members of their subculture easily.
There is a special Slang Dictionary that contains such words and their meanings. When a new word is created in the slang language, and a majority of people start using it, then it is added into the language. If it does not gain enough popularity, it is forgotten.
One of the reasons slang is around is that people believe that, by using slang, they will be able to set themselves apart from others and be unique. However, others believe that this is an improper way of speaking or writing, and strongly criticize its use. Children who use slang while speaking end up using it while writing in school, which is discouraged in the academic world.
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Slang is informal language-words that are not typically part of what is accepted as correct use of language. Slang terms can be related to location-a rural or urban area-or to a specific group of people. For example, teenagers often use slang terms that their parents do not understand.
While slang is usually spoken, it does appear in written literature. Often, it is a way to develop the depth of a character.
What’s up?
Lol!
slang words definition and examples
He was mean mugging me. (Looking at me with a mean face.)
Photo bomb (someone ruining the picture)
You are so skinny it makes me sick. (jealous; envious)
The car is wicked fast. (very fast)
Examples of Slang in Literature
The Outsiders, a novel about the conflict between two groups of kids from opposite sides of town, is full of slang terms. Here are a few examples:
Fuzz-police
Tuff-something cool
Woofin-kidding
Hacked off-angry
Heater-a gun
The Harry Potter series is also full of slang terms used by Harry and his young wizard friends:
Do a Weasley-do something daring, like the Weasley twins
Gulping Gargoyles-expresses surprise and amazement
Mudblood-derogatory term for someone whose parents are not magic
Squib-someone who is born into a wizard family, but who has very little power
© 2005-2019 Softschools.com
Slang is an informal nonstandard variety of speech characterized by newly coined and rapidly changing words and phrases. In his book Slang: The People’s Poetry (OUP, 2009), Michael Adams argues that “slang is not merely a lexical phenomenon, a type of word, but a linguistic practice rooted in social needs and behaviors, mostly the complementary needs to fit in and to stand out.”
* Jane was a magazine designed to appeal to young women. It ceased publication in 2007.
Pronunciation: slang
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Home » The Writer’s Dictionary » What is Slang? Definition, Examples of Slang
Slang definition: Slang involves the use of words or phrases that are considered informal language
Slang is words or phrases that are informal language, and it is typically seen used in speech more often than writing. It can be specific to a particular group of people or context; therefore, the meanings of the words may not be apparent to all people.
The slang term “hang loose” refers to giving someone the advice to calm down and relax.
Here are a few examples of more modern slang:
slang words definition and examples
Slang allows for the creative changing of language by people. While some slang terms will eventually fade out of use, it allows for the people of a generation to create a unique way of communicating with one another.
It should be noted that slang is more appropriately used in verbal or informal conversation; therefore, in literature, slang is used sparingly and is typically reserved for dialogue in order to show a character’s subculture or personality.
In The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald, the slang used reveals the time period in which the story is being told. An example of 1920s slang can be found in the line,
In Anthony Burgess’ A Clockwork Orange, he develops his own slang called Nadsat that reflects the dystopian society in which the story is being told. In fact, many people use a glossary in order to decode the words as they read in order to make sense of the novel. In the beginning of the novel, Alex beginnings telling the reader about the society in which they live in and the milk bar that he and his friends frequently visit, “There were three devotchkas sitting at the counter all together, but there were four of us malchicks.”
Define slang: In summation, slang is a term that refers to informal language that is specific to a particular context or group of people. Slang may be used in literature in order to establish the setting or personality of characters involved in the story.
Final Example:
In many young adult novels, slang is used to show that the characters are part of the teenaged subculture.
In Stephen Chbosky’s The Perks of Being a Wallflower, the protagonist, Charlie, narrates the story and even stops to explain some of the slang used by the teens in his school.
He first uses this to establish his unpopular status in school, “I keep quiet most of the time, and only one kid named Sean really seemed to notice me. He waited for me after gym class and said really immature things like how he was going to give me a ‘swirlie,’ which is where someone sticks your head in the toilet and flushes to make your hair swirl around”. In this example, the slang term is “swirlie,” and he stops to explain to the reader what this term means.
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Confusing Words
Slang is a perpetual whirlwind of creativity among the young and avante garde. These groups are constantly breaking new ground with artistic expressions of their lives and the life around them. It’s impossible to be in a hip nightclub, or at a cutting edge art gallery, without the latest slang flying around like confetti. Why do people use slang? There are many answers as there are people who are continually reinventing English as we speak.
One of the first signs of impending adolescence is the desire to put space between you and your parents’ generation, and the fastest way to do that is through the art of language.
Teenagers develop their own idioms and expressions that make adults scratch their heads, trying to figure out what the slang means (and if it’s something they should be upset about.
For example:
To be emo was to be perpetually depressed, moody, and emotional, and perpetually at odds with society (even if it was nothing more than a pose.)slang words definition and examples
This is one of the phrases parents, especially mothers, might pick up on and use themselves, to the everlasting embarrassment of their children.
Some words have morphed from one meaning to another. Take the word “busted.” To the grandparents of today’s teens, the word was simply slang for “broken.”
The last decade or so reinvented “busted” to mean someone was caught, probably doing something they shouldn’t. If a store detective saw you stealing a candy bar and nabbed you, you were simply “busted” (and probably in a lot of trouble).
Not all slang words are uniquely developed. Some are created based on other words, or other slang words.
Some words in slang develop from meaning one thing, to meaning another:
Apparently autos are in short supply, or teenagers have discovered the shoe leather express. The word “ride” has become more literal to this group: “How do you like my ride?” no longer means, “do you like my car?” Now it refers to sneakers (particularly of the brand name and expensive variety.)
So if you’re tope, you’re somewhere in the stratosphere of utter coolness.
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:
Some slang comes from a need to describe new recreational or Internet activities including social networking such as:
African American takes on slang are far-ranging, and travel well beyond the circles of black teenagers.
“Gangsta” is hardly a new word; in fact, it’s at least two decades old. But a new take on someone who aspires to the gangsta style, but fails miserably, is a “wanksta.”
Slang language is the voice of the people. It’s changing daily so be sure to keep your ears open and stay aware of the meanings…and keep checking since they may change tomorrow.
credit to: http://examples.yourdictionary.com/20-examples-of-slang-language.html
Contact us at Le Reve Translation or submit a business inquiry online. Thank you.
Slang is a perpetual whirlwind of creativity among the young and avante garde. These groups are constantly breaking new ground with artistic expressions of their lives and the life around them. It’s impossible to be in a hip nightclub, or at a cutting edge art gallery, without the latest slang flying around like confetti. Why do people use slang? There are many answers as there are people who are continually reinventing English as we speak.
One of the first signs of impending adolescence is the desire to put space between you and your parents’ generation, and the fastest way to do that is through the art of language.
Teenagers develop their own idioms and expressions that make adults scratch their heads, trying to figure out what the slang means (and if it’s something they should be upset about.
For example:
To be emo was to be perpetually depressed, moody, and emotional, and perpetually at odds with society (even if it was nothing more than a pose.)
This is one of the phrases parents, especially mothers, might pick up on and use themselves, to the everlasting embarrassment of their children.
Some words have morphed from one meaning to another. Take the word “busted.” To the grandparents of today’s teens, the word was simply slang for “broken.”
The last decade or so reinvented “busted” to mean someone was caught, probably doing something they shouldn’t. If a store detective saw you stealing a candy bar and nabbed you, you were simply “busted” (and probably in a lot of trouble).
Not all slang words are uniquely developed. Some are created based on other words, or other slang words.
Some words in slang develop from meaning one thing, to meaning another:
Apparently autos are in short supply, or teenagers have discovered the shoe leather express. The word “ride” has become more literal to this group: “How do you like my ride?” no longer means, “do you like my car?” Now it refers to sneakers (particularly of the brand name and expensive variety.)
So if you’re tope, you’re somewhere in the stratosphere of utter coolness.
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:
Some slang comes from a need to describe new recreational or Internet activities including social networking such as:
African American takes on slang are far-ranging, and travel well beyond the circles of black teenagers.
“Gangsta” is hardly a new word; in fact, it’s at least two decades old. But a new take on someone who aspires to the gangsta style, but fails miserably, is a “wanksta.”
Slang language is the voice of the people. It’s changing daily so be sure to keep your ears open and stay aware of the meanings…and keep checking since they may change tomorrow.
credit to: http://examples.yourdictionary.com/20-examples-of-slang-language.html
Contact us at Le Reve Translation or submit a business inquiry online. Thank you.
slang words definition and examples
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What do you think ‘wicked’ means? No, it doesn’t mean ‘evil’ or ‘bad’.
Believe it or not, ‘wicked’ is actually a slang term that means ‘Brilliant!’ or ‘Awesome!’
Slang is a type of jargon that originates from various small groups of people. They tend to come about from conversation, and people naturally use words that have a meaning for them, then over time, these words alter and become slang.
It is probably one of the hardest aspects of the English language to learn, because there are so many variations in each small town, let alone in different English-speaking countries!
People use slang to sound less formal. Slang is mainly used because it relaxes the mouth, and allows people to speak in a more comfortable way. It is a lot easier to use slang than ‘perfect English’, which is probably why it’s so common!
This blog post will show you some of the most popular slang terms, but this doesn’t cover all of them! There are just too many! Hopefully the list below will cover some of the most common ones that you might hear!slang words definition and examples
1. UNREALSomething that is unbelievably cool or brilliant
2. PROPSThis means respect, recognition
3. KUDOSAnother word for respect, recognition
4. BOTTOM LINEThe main point
5. DISSWhen a person disrespects someone else
6. DIGTo really like something
7. BOB’S YOUR UNCLEThis is a well-used phrase in the UK. It is added to the end of sentences, and means something like and that’s it!
8. BUDGE UPWhen you ask someone to move and make space for you
9. ACEThis has two meanings, something that is awesome, really cool. Or to achieve something with perfection, really easily
10. ALL RIGHT?This means ‘hello, how are you?’
11. FULL OF BEANSThis means to have loads of energy
12. BLATANTSomething that is really obvious
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13. PEAR SHAPEDThis means something has become a disaster
14. PIECE OF CAKEWhen someone is boasting or they think something is extremely easy to do, they would use this
15. BLIMEYThis is an exclamation of surprise
16. BOTCHThere are two ways of using this expression ‘to botch something up’ or ‘to do a botch job’. They both mean that the work done was not of a high standard, or was clumsy workmanship
17. CHEERSUsed when drinking with friends to salute or make a toast (raise your glasses and clink them together)
18. SMASHINGThis means something is terrific, brilliant
19. SOD’S LAWThis is another name for Murphy’s Law – whatever can go wrong, will go wrong
20. CHIN WAGThis means having a nice, long chat with someone. You can probably tell why!
21. CHUFFEDUsed when someone is really pleased about something
22. CRAMThis means to study hard in a very short period of time
23. NICE ONECan be used when someone does something particularly impressive
24. CRIKEYAn exclamation of surprise
25. DEARSomething that is expensive
26. FAFFThis is when someone procrastinates, or wastes time wondering around
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27. DOAnother word for a party
28. FLOGTo sell something
slang words definition and examples
29. FORTNIGHTTwo weeks. This comes from an abbreviation of ‘fourteen nights’
30. GOBSMACKEDThis means amazed (your gob is your mouth, and if you smack your gob, it would be out of amazement!)
31. SPLASH OUTWhen you spend far too much money
32. GRUB / NOSHBoth these words mean food
33. BEE’S KNEESSomething or someone fabulous, spectacular
34. GUTTEDWhen someone is really upset or disappointed
35. PEANUTSWhen something is cheap, financially low
36. HAGGLETo argue over, and try to negotiate the price of something you want to buy
37. JOLLYYou might hear people use this in all sorts of ways, but basically it means ‘very’. So “jolly good” would mean ‘very good’
38. THROW A SPANNER IN THE WORKSThis is an expression that means to wreck something
39. KIPA short sleep, forty winks, a nap, a power nap, or a snooze.
40. WIND UPThis has a couple of meanings. If something you do is a ‘wind up’ it means you are making fun of someone – you could be called a wind-up merchant if you do this.
However, if you are ‘wound up’ it means you are annoyed.
41. MATEThis means friend, chum, pal, or buddy.
42. NOT MY CUP OF TEAThis is a common saying which means that something is not to your liking.
43. PORKIESThis means telling lies. It comes from cockney rhyming slang. Short for ‘porky pies’, meaning ‘pork pies’, which rhymes with lies!
44. ROWThis means an argument (rhymes with ‘cow’)
45. DONKEY’S YEARSIf someone says ‘I haven’t seen you in donkey’s years’, it means they haven’t seen you for a very long time!
46. EASY PEASYA childish term for something very easy
47. SORTEDWhen someone asks you about a problem you have already fixed, you could say this.
You can also say “get it sorted”, when you are telling someone to get on with something they have to do.
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48. STROPIf someone is sulking or being particularly miserable, you would say they are ‘being stroppy’, or ‘throwing a strop’
49. CHEERIOThis is a friendly way of saying goodbye
50. WANGLEThis is used to say some people have all the luck
51. BLINDINGIf something is a blinding success, it means it was awesome, brilliant
52. WONKYIf something is shaky or unstable, you might say it is wonky.
53. ZONKEDIf someone is zonked or ‘zonked out’ it means they are totally knackered, or exhausted
54. DODGYIf someone or something is a bit dodgy, it is not to be trusted.
55. LEG ITThis is a way of saying ‘run’ or ‘run for it’
So there you go. Now you have a long list of slang words that you can familiarise yourself with, and try to remember! If you’re going to England or another English-speaking country, you might feel a bit more prepared to make conversation, if you’ve gone through this list!
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it is very nice I like these all words……..
Thank you soooo much!
Wow very handy list of slangs. Thanks for the share. WANGLE and THICC are my favorite slang terms
Wow I’m from England and a lot of these aren’t slang haha wow how crap. The word cushty and peng are slang words these are phrases and a lot of English speaking countries don’t know these
OMG the last one was really hilarious! Thanks for this great list.
We’re a lil obsessed with slang, y’know?
According to multiple studies conducted in 2016, the English language is becoming less formal in several contexts. It’s time to talk about slang.
While grammar pedants love to decry slang as lazy or sloppy, in reality, slang often represents the next English language trend. As this infographic shows, words often go from trendy and edgy to mainstream in a relatively short period of time. In light of this knowledge, we examined the most-added slang words to the Grammarly dictionary by our millions of users to determine which words “trended” in 2016. We found some surprisingly old words! Let’s take a look at the top ten slang words for this year. Maybe we’ll learn something we freakin’ luv.
10
Luv
trends.embed.renderExploreWidget(“TIMESERIES”, {“comparisonItem”:[{“keyword”:”luv”,”geo”:””,”time”:”today 12-m”}],”category”:0,”property”:””}, {“exploreQuery”:”date=today%2012-m slang words definition and examples
It’s no secret that English lacks words for different types of affection. Whereas a language like Sanskrit has ninety-six words for love, English is stuck with just one. A solution proposed by web denizens and youths is a misspelling of “love,” used primarily in a familiar, friendly sense. In 2016, “luv” saw record popularity, probably owing to the Tory Lanez song of the same name, which topped hip-hop charts and reached no. 19 on the Billboard Top 100. Like many other words on this list, music drove the popularity of “luv” this year.
9
Freakin
Although this word trended in 2016, it’s far from new. The first written instance of “freaking” (presumably the precursor to “freakin”) was in the seventeenth century, when it was used as a descriptor for people who loved odd pastimes, not as an intensifier. Even though this word is nothing new, Grammarly users still added it to their personal dictionaries in 2016. And that is freakin’ incredible.
8
Insta-
According to our users, “insta” isn’t quite its own slang word yet. Instead, it’s a beloved prefix meaning “instant” that has produced dozens of Frankensteined terms like “insta-death” and “insta-fam.” Since the launch of Instagram in 2010, this prefix has also gained a new tech-friendly meaning that specifically denotes something that happens on the platform, as in “insta-lurk” or “insta-worthy.”
7
Bestest
Many have called this superlative lazy or unnecessary, and yet, Grammarly users seem to love it. English superlatives are notoriously fickle, since some need intensifiers like “more,” while others can take the “-est” suffix. Do you think we should welcome “bestest” into the English language in 2017? Let us know in the comments below.
6
Dat
via GIPHY
English has been and will always be a multicultural language. Any one group that claims full ownership over every word in English is simply mistaken, as shown by words like “dat,” which has its origins in “vernacular poetry of the 19th century and was popularized by black entertainers,” according to The Root. Although this word has a checkered past, its popular usage as a chant for the New Orleans Saints has given it new life, and its popularity is expected to rise even higher in 2017.
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Nah
via GIPHY
Colloquial alternatives to “no” are nothing new, but “nah’s” cultural moment actually happened in 2014, when the chart-topping song “Or Nah” was released. Since then, “nah” has remained consistently popular among Grammarly users, although Google Trends suggests that its overall popularity is waning. Do you think “nah” will continue to be popular next year, or nah?
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-Esque
We’ll be honest, “esque” threw us for a loop. Until we looked at data from our users, we had no idea this was such a common suffix! If you haven’t seen words like “Kafkaesque” or “statuesque” before, you can learn more about how to attach this suffix to names, descriptive words, and even old, archaic terms.
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Y’know
We think this one is self-explanatory, y’know?
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Lil
Image Credit: Buzzfeed
Even if hip-hop artists like Lil Jon have adopted this word as a title, it remains on the fringe of English grammar. But you might be surprised to know that “lil” was first used in the seventeenth century as a contraction of “little” and has existed in some form or another since then. Like many of the trendy words of 2016, “lil” has a surprisingly long history for such a short word!
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Zzz
via GIPHY
Did you snooze through this list? If so, you’ll love the onomatopoeia that dominated our users’ dictionaries this year. The transition to primarily text-based communication (social media, texting, messaging, email, etc.) has caused English speakers to find new ways to denote body language and actions that would be readily apparent in an in-person conversation. For our users, words like “zzz” and the ever-expanding “hahahahaha” help describe actions you can’t see behind a screen.
Of course, none of these slang words are accepted in formal written communications, and you’d probably be smart to steer clear of them in your next important email. It’s also important to note that while grammar pedants decry slang as “ruining” English, many of these words have existed in some form or another for centuries. Even if it’s not acceptable in formal contexts, slang was an important part of language in 2016 and will continue to be for years to come.
What do you think about the rise of words like “zzz”? Share the luv in the comments below. 