### **How has slang evolved over time?**
The use of slang has transformed significantly throughout history. Its origins can be traced back to the early 16th century, when it was used as a specialized vocabulary employed by various groups, including criminals, sailors, and beggars.
Then, slang gradually expanded its reach and became more widespread across different social classes and demographics. For example, in the 19th century, the working class embraced slang as a way to differentiate themselves from the upper class.
In the 20th century, slang went mainstream through media and pop culture. Social media and the internet have further amplified its influence, resulting in a rapid evolution that incorporates words and phrases from various languages and cultures.
Currently, slang remains an integral part of our daily language, used to express humor, irony, and social identity. Although some slang words become obsolete quickly, others become part of the lexicon and can stay_lit_ for generations.
Examples of historical slang words and their meanings
Bee’s knees – the height of excellence or perfection;
Cat’s meow – something or someone highly admirable or excellent;
Flapper – a young woman who was fashionable in the 1920s, known for wearing short skirts, bobbed hair and dancing the Charleston;
G-man – a federal government agent, particularly an agent of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) during the 1930s and 1940s;
Hooch – slang for alcohol, particularly illicitly produced alcohol during Prohibition in the United States;
Jazzed – excited, enthusiastic, or energized;
Jive – a type of jazz music and dance style or slang for dishonest or misleading talk;
Ragtime – a style of music characterized by syncopated rhythms and upbeat tempos that became popular in the late 19th and early 20th centuries;
Speakeasy – an illegal establishment that served alcohol during Prohibition;
Sockdollager – a decisive blow or action, often used in reference to a fight or argument.
But enough history. Let’s travel to the present. Does Gen Z slang sometimes look like some secret unbreakable code to you? Well, you are not alone. But TBH (To Be Honest), once you get the hang of it and realize how relatable and fun it is, it becomes quite addictive to use in daily conversations.
So get ready to hear new meanings for words you thought you knew and prepare for heavy eye-rolling every time you’ll use your newly acquired lingo around teens. Here are some of the most common slang words used in the English language today:
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Lit When something is very good, enjoyable, or exciting, you can say it’s “lit”.
Dude, the party last night was lit! Where were you?
When someone is “extra”, it means they are unnecessarily dramatic, excessive, over the top or a “drama queen”.
She invited the entire school to her birthday. She’s so extra!
Salty You can say someone is salty when they get upset or angry over something minor.
Nick is so salty since his parents took away his car!
To ghost someone When you cut off communication with someone you’re no longer interested in.
OMG! Did you hear Cristina ghosted Matt?
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## To flex
Another way of saying someone is showing off.
Nowadays, teens have started using the slang phrase“weird flex but OK” as a snarky and mocking response to someone bragging about something considered questionable, bizarre or unusual.
– Andrew’s trying to flex with that new no-name smartphone of his.
– Yeah. Like weird flex but OK.
Lowkey & highkey Lowkey is the opposite of highkey and it can be used as a way of saying that you liked or done something secretly, modestly or quietly.
I lowkey rooted for Daenerys to remain on the iron throne.
Paul is highkey trying to learn Spanish for Elena.
Shook When someone is shook it means they are shocked or incredibly surprised.
– Did you see? The new season of Lucifer just landed on Netflix!
– OMG I’m shook! I need to watch it ASAP!
Tea When someone is “spilling the tea”, it means they are gossiping.
What happened at Jessica’s birthday party? Come on, spill the tea!
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To clap back To respond to another person’s criticism.
Maria is quick to quick to clap back at everyone who says she doesn’t have a nice British accent.
Bye, Felicia A cold way of dismissing someone.
– You were rude. I’m gonna leave now.
– Bye, Felicia!
Mood Used to express something that is relatable.
– Ugh! I wish I was in Bora Bora right now.
– Mood!
Hangry When you are so hungry that you are angry! (probably the most relatable slang word Gen Z taught us).
I’m so hangry right now I could eat five burgers in one sitting!
NGL Not Gonna Lie. Another way of saying “to tell you the truth”.
NGL, I’m not in the mood to go out tonight.
Slay To do something very well. To impress someone very much or to be very good or impressive.
Pedro Pascal’s performance in The Last of Us slayed.
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Receipts Proof or evidence of something that happened.
– How do you know Jamie is cheating on Sylvie?
– Honey, I got all the receipts.
Sus Something that is questionable, dishonest or suspicious.
Ok, now you’re just sus. I don’t believe you!
OK Boomer The catchphrase and internet meme commonly used by Millennials and Gen Z aims to reject or ridicule attitudes typically associated with baby boomers – individuals born in the two decades after World War II.
– Boomer: Kids nowadays never go out. Back in my day we played outside the entire day. – Non-boomer: OK boomer.
Woke It refers to someone who is aware of and actively attentive to important societal facts and issues (especially issues of racial and social justice).
Bro, we have a moral obligation to stay woke. Inform yourself!
Savage This is used when someone is bold and doesn’t care about consequences.
– Gaby is gonna report the teacher to the principal. – OMG, savage!
Stan An extremely or excessively enthusiastic and devoted fan. As a verb, it means “to exhibit fandom to an extreme excessive degree.”
– I love Kit Harington so much. I would track his every move if I could. – Whoa, don’t be such a stan.
Other_lit_ mentions: gucci (good, doing well, feeling fine),TFW (that feeling when),squad (a group of friends),JOMO (Joy Of Missing Out),fam (a group of friends that feels like family),dank (really cool),basic (interested in mainstream or very popular things),woke (being aware of current events).
Regional variations in English slang English slang, like languages in general, can’t be entirely homogenous. With native speakers dispersed across the globe, slang evolves differently depending on factors such as culture, dialect, and more. That’s why Aussie slang is so different from British slang and British slang is so different than American slang. Different cultures make different slang, just like different countries make different languages.
Differences in words and phrases across English-speaking countries I read this joke online a while ago: “I can speak five languages: American English, British English, Canadian English, Australian English and New Zealand English”. Every time I remember it, I can’t help but giggle. Stretching over such long distances, the English spoken in these countries can truly be very different. Here’s how:
Vocabulary: These countries often use different words to describe the same thing. For example, in the UK, people call “chips” what Americans call “fries” and “crisps” what Americans call “chips”. It’s overwhelming!
Spelling: Spelling can also differ between countries. For instance, Americans spell “color” without a ‘u’, while in the UK, they use the spelling “colour”.
Pronunciation: Don’t get me started. The differences between British English and American English are plentiful in this sector.
Culture: For example, Australian slang is heavily influenced by surfing and beach culture, while American slang has been influenced by hip-hop and African American Vernacular English.
Examples of popular slang words in different regions Here are some popular English slang words and phrases from different English-speaking countries.
United States:
buck – dollar
whip – car
salty – jealous
nuts – crazy
flaky – unrealiable
chill – relax
United Kingdom:
nosh – food
lad – young man
quid – pound
cuppa – cup of tea
chuffed – delighted, happy
(to) kip – (to) sleep
Australia:
arvo – afternoon
sickie – a day off work due to illness
Macca’s – McDonald’s
lollies – sweets
barbie – barbecue
thongs – flip-flops
Canada:
eh – used at the end of a sentence to express agreement or to seek confirmation
toque – a winter hat
hoser – a clumsy or foolish person
poutine – a dish of French fries topped with cheese curds and gravy
loonie – the Canadian one-dollar coin
double-double – a coffee with two creams and two sugars
New Zealand:
chur – thank you or cool
jandals – flip-flops or sandals
sweet as – all good or very good
stubbie – bottle of bear
bach – holiday house, usually small and close to the beach
kiwis – New Zealanders
These are just a few examples. Countless slang words and phrases are used worldwide in different regions and countries to mean specific things.
How to use slang words in conversation Using slang words in conversation can add flavor and personality to your language. However, it’s crucial to consider the context and audience before incorporating slang into your language. Here are some tips for using slang terms effectively in conversation:
Know your audience: Make sure your slang words are appropriate for the person or people you’re talking to. Avoid using offensive or inappropriate slang words, especially around people you don’t know well or in formal settings.
Use context clues: Do the slang words you’re using fit well in the context? If you’re uncertain about the appropriateness of a slang term, it’s best to use a more neutral term instead of taking the risk.
Don’t_flex_ too much: Using too much slang can make you sound unprofessional or immature. Use slang words sparingly, and ensure they add to the conversation rather than distract.
Practice makes perfect: Slang terms are_dope_ , but incorporating them into your vocabulary can take some practice. Start using slang words with people you feel comfortable around, and only then gradually include them in conversations with new people.
Be yourself: If using slang terms doesn’t feel natural, maybe they are not for you. Everyone loves a cool mom or dad, but overdoing it can be_cringe_ . Or at least that’s what teenagers believe.
Remember, slang words are meant to be fun and expressive, but using them appropriately and in the right context is very important.
Learning English slang words Learning slang words can be a fun way to improve your communication skills and broaden your understanding of the colloquial English language. Especially if you speak English as a second language. Here’s how you can learn slang terms fast:
Don’t take yourself too seriously: Learning slang terms is supposed to be fun. If you really want to do this, don’t make it a drudgery. Just be chill and go with the flow. Remember you’re doing this to improve your understanding of the colloquial language.
Have fun with memes: Memes are probably the richest source of slang words. Make the most of them!
Use social media: Whenever it comes to learning, scrolling on social media may seem counterintuitive. But not this time! If you want to learn Gen Z slang, social media is the best place to be!
Revisit this list: Whenever you feel like your slang knowledge has_ghosted_ you, revisit this list. Or, if you feel like you’re ready for a lot more, the Urban Dictionary will always have your back.
Just remember: slang words can vary based on region, social group, and generation, so it’s essential to consider the context when using them.
Are you ready to_slay?_ Okay, so what did we learn so far? Let’s recap:
The world is increasingly dominated by internet culture, which influences our social interactions and desire to be unique and heard;
Slang words are a way to show belonging and coolness and are defined as an informal language common in speech and restricted to certain groups or contexts;
This article focuses on popular slang words used by millennials and gen Z, including lit, extra, salty, to ghost someone, to flex, lowkey/highkey, shook, tea, and more;
Learning foreign slang words can be important for communication and understanding, as slang is a creative and crucial part of any language;
Slang can be general or limited to certain groups, and its use can change depending on context and intention.
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