Slang

Slang is a specialized vocabulary of informal language. It consists of words, phrases, and unique linguistic usages. People use slang in everyday conversation. However, they usually avoid it in formal speech or writing. Slang often functions as a way for specific in-groups to establish a shared identity. It can also serve to exclude outsiders from a conversation. Linguists note that slang is a constantly changing phenomenon. It appears in every subculture across the entire world.

Slang is created through a process of deviation from standard language. This is often a spontaneous, lively, and creative speech process. Some researchers suggest slang exists to define new experiences in a modern world. One way slang forms is through semantic change. This occurs when a word takes on a new meaning. For example, the word "lit" originally meant something was on fire. In 1988, it was used in writing to describe a person who was drunk. By 2011, rap songs helped popularize it as a term for an awesome event. Another method is the creation of new words. The term "shagadelic" is an extra-grammatical creation. It combines a slang term with a slang suffix.

It is important to distinguish slang from other types of informal language. Colloquialisms are informal terms that are generally acceptable in most speech contexts. Jargon is different because it is used by professionals in specific fields. The main purpose of jargon is to optimize technical communication. While both can exclude others, slang emphasizes social and contextual understanding. Some linguists even treat the terms "slang" and "jargon" as synonyms. However, many scholars maintain that slang is more socially restricted. Slang is often viewed as inappropriate for many common communication situations.

The history of the word "slang" is somewhat unclear. It first appeared in print around the year 1800. At that time, it referred to the language of criminal classes in London. In 1756, the word described the vocabulary of "low" or "disreputable" people. By the early nineteenth century, its definition began to expand. In the Scots dialect, it meant gossip or chat. In northern English dialects, it meant impertinent or abusive language. Some suggest a Scandinavian origin for the word. One theory links it to the word "sling," meaning to throw. This would imply that slang is "thrown language" used for quick, honest points.

Slang plays a major role in social identity through a concept called indexicality. Using specific slang can signal that a person belongs to a certain group. This is known as second-order indexicality. It can also assign the qualities of a group to an individual. This is called third-order indexicality. For instance, male adolescents might use terms like "foxy" or "shagadelic." These words allow them to reinforce connections with peers. They can also use them to appear more playful or colorful. These terms carry more social information than neutral words like "beautiful." They help users express a specific social standing or attitude.

Slang is not permanent and often changes over time. Many slang terms eventually die out and only reference a past era. The word "groovy" is a relic of 1960s and 1970s hippie slang. Other terms move from being special to being mainstream. If a slang term is accepted by the media, it may lose its status as "true" slang. Some people even argue a word is only slang until it enters the Oxford English Dictionary. Interestingly, some words that are now standard were once considered slang. The words "spurious" and "strenuous" are examples of this transition. They have moved from the edge into the general lexicon.

There are many diverse examples of slang across different cultures and languages. You can find British slang, Cantonese slang, and even internet slang. Some groups have used coded language for centuries. For example, "thieves' cant" was used in England around 1600. This allowed law-breakers to communicate without authorities understanding them. Other groups, like jazz musicians in the 1930s, coined the term "gig." This word was later borrowed by hippies in the 1960s. Today, "gig" is a widely accepted synonym for any kind of musical performance. This shows how slang connects different social groups over many decades.