It is the user who determines the matter and meaning of slang. Students, very close friends, lovers, members of secret political societies, persons in prisons use slang with this end in view. Again the desire to be secret and not to be understood by others around the slang-user has given birth to many slang. The desire to be novel and striking thus has much to do with the origin of slang. For the same reason a young woman who fails to keep an engagement with a youngman stands him up. The man in the street considers the expression to dismiss tame and colourless, and so he substitutes “to give one the air”. Another potent force that makes for slang is the impatience with existing words and phrases- the desire to escape from the restraints imposed by a formal standard. In the opinion of Greenough and Kittredge the coinage and circulation of slang come from the desire of the individual to distinguish himself by oddity and grotesque humour. The conditions favouring the origin of slang is crowding and excitement As Camden Hotten has said, “Any sudden excitement or peculiar circumstance is quite sufficient to originate and set going a score of slang words.” Slang is as characteristic of the individual as of the clique, the profession, the trade and the class. “the two most important seem to be the desire to secure increased vivacity and the desire to secure increased sense of intimacy in the use of language.” “Among the impulses which lead to the invention of slang”, Dr. It originates and flourishes best in unconventionality. Slang has its root in topicality, convenience and elementary human nature. “the diction that results from the favourite game among the young and lively of playing with words and renaming things and actions.” Origin of Slang Fowler in his Modern English Usage, though inadequate by itself, is complementary to that of the Oxford Dictionary: “language of a highly colloquial type, below the level of standard educated speech, and consisting cither of new words or of current words employed in some special sense.” The Oxford English Dictionary defines slang as the Your personal path to success in English.“a peculiar kind of vagabond language, always hanging on the outskirts of legitimate speech, but continually straying or forcing its way into the most respectable company.” We love to help English learners, no matter where in the world they live, so please feel free to spread the love on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn, Pinterest and YouTube! Thanks for reading! Please visit my Intrepid English Teacher profile page to find out more about me and add me as a friend! This blog was written and recorded by Intrepid English teacher, Jen. She goes to the gym most mornings, she’s really fit. It also means that someone is attractive or sexy. He looks really dodgy.įit has two meanings, it can be used to mean that something is healthy and in good shape. That guy’s been hanging around on our street for an hour. We moved from the area because it can get a bit dodgy late at night there. He takes his cuppa with 2 sugars far too sweet for me.ĭodgy is used to describe something that is illegal, dangerous, low-quality or unreliable. I would like to propose a toast to our health, cheers!Ĭuppa is another way of saying ‘cup of tea’. Recently, it’s been used to make a suggestion seem like a quick but rebellious act.Ĭheers has two meanings, it is used when toasting drinks, but it also is another way of saying thank you. He wouldn’t budge up on the bench so I ended up standing for the concert.Ĭheeky is used to describe something or someone that is a little indulgent, rude or naughty. This is common on public transport, and more often expressed with people you know. I hate it when you go to the toilet and someone hasn’t replaced the bog roll.īudge up is a way of asking someone to move to make room for you. We’ve run out of bog roll, I’ll get some next time I’m at the supermarket. I saw his new girlfriend and I thought to myself – blimey, he’s done well.īog roll is an informal way of saying toilet roll. She had good banter so I chatted with her for a while.īlimey is used as a way of expressing surprise at something, often used when seeing or looking at something unexpected and impressive.īlimey! Look at the size of that diamond. BAE is a term of endearment, meaning “before anyone else,” often used between romantic partners, but it can also be used between close friends.īanter is a word used to mean joking or teasing that is meant to be friendly but sometimes is a little bit personal.ĭon’t get offended.
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