English slang

English Slang

SlanguageSlang 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. Its 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

Teenagers are experts

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.)

Emo

If you’re “all emo,” it’s like being a drama queen (a slightly older expression.) Emo was a type of music that seemed to rip at the souls of adolescent angst. It frequently included wearing all black clothing, dying one’s hair pitch black, and having a complexion so paper white that it looked as if the teen had grown up in the basement.The slang meaning

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.)

My bad

If a teen has made a mistake, the phrase “my bad” is frequently employed as a cover. It means what it appears to mean: “I was bad!”

The slang meaningThis is one of the phrases parents, especially mothers, might pick up on and use themselves, to the everlasting embarrassment of their children.

Developing slang language words and phrases

Not all slang words are uniquely developed. Some are created based on other words, or other slang words.

1. A Change in MeaningsSome words in slang develop from meaning one thing, to meaning another:• Ride - The word “ride” is of relatively recent origin. It was initially meant to

mean a car, as in, “here’s my ride” (even if it’s not the teen’s car, any automobile that could carry him where he wanted to go deserved the title of “ride.”)

The slang meaning: 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.)

If something is “tope,” it’s cool to the teenage contingent. So what’s a tope? It’s a combination of “tight” and “dope,” both words meaning something that’s beyond cool.

Tope

The slang meaning: So if you’re tope, you’re somewhere in the

stratosphere of utter coolness

Frenemy

Friend + Enemy

This term is a combination of the words "friend" and "enemy." It is a person who appears on one hand to be your friend but, at the same time is antagonistic towards you.

2. Combinations of meaningOther slang words are developed outside of the usual context of words and are just combinations of thoughts that create a new word

For examples:

Having your grandparents join your vacation.

Greycation

Men getting botoxBro-tox

A friend with nerves of steelIceman

The highest state of awesomeAwesomity

New activities need new wordsSome slang comes from a need to describe new recreational or Internet activities including social networking such as:• Friend and Unfriend - Adding or removing someone to a circle of communication such as in Facebook or other social media networks.• Follow and Unfollow - To add or remove someone to the list of people whose posts you view on Twitter or Instagram or other social media networks.•Ollie - A skateboard trick where the rider and board leap into the air•Planking - Laying your body on top of an object and balancing there while stretched out and stiffened.

The End

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