But people from the US have been using this phrase for so long that it is not even considered slang anymore, but it actually is. So where did all of this slang come from and how does it evolve? As a matter of fact, English slang started as language used mostly by criminals in 16th and 17th century England and developed primarily in saloons and gambling houses. School children at this time were taught that using slang was taboo and improper, but children will be children and innately want to do what is forbidden.
So, slang began making its way amongst the youth. During the post-World War I era, society gained new attitudes about slang and there was now a demand for slang in entertainment, mass media, and fiction.
Today, slang is embedded in our culture and people use it everyday even though they might not realize they are using it. But not all US slang is universal either. Different slang is used amongst different cultures, popular interests, occupations or where you live.
For example, I used to work at a ski resort in the Rocky Mountains and all the skiers had their own slang, which was only known amongst skiers. If we said some of these slang words in a group of non-skiers, or in a state where there is no snow, no one would know what we were talking about.
Discuss the meaning of the words and make your best guess as to the origin of each slang word. Up for a challenge? Give free reign to your imagination as you try to come up with a list of at least five new slang words. They must be new slang words that no one has ever heard before. Be sure to write down a definition for each word.
Start using them in appropriate contexts and see if anyone else begins to use them. You never know when you might create the next viral slang word! Did you get it? Test your knowledge. What are you wondering? Wonder Words refer origin territory informal advertise interesting deliberate alternative nonstandard Take the Wonder Word Challenge. Join the Discussion. Marloe Apr 29, Apr 29, Elayna Oct 3, Lol dank meme isnt slang.
Some examples are lit, yeet, ye, u, r, ur, etc. Your're so cool May 30, Jun 4, Alex Jun 8, People use slang words cause their to lazy to say what they mean I guess.
Jun 12, Jonathan May 29, No one and I mean noone uses fleek or yolo anymore :. Kimberly May 14, May 23, May 9, Ryan Apr 25, Is the responses from wonderopolis a bot or real. If it is real thanks because I was doing a study about the south. Apr 30, Jacqueine W.
Apr 24, As I read in the article it said that slang words are interesting. Why are they used? I know that any one that read the passage would say it is because if creativeness. But, someone would probbaly not get hired at a job if they use slang words.
Think about it, I don't think somones boss would thing it was creative. Apr 27, Lu Apr 23, I loved this article! I love wonderopolis! Can the next question be: Who invented erasers? Keep on wondering everyone! Jeff Apr 23, May 25, Wonder Friend Apr 21, My favorite slang word is "dawg", referring to a friend, most likely boys.
Apr 25, Slang can be mean and uncaring and disgusting. It can also bind people and define the boundaries of the gang. We want to put our arms around each other, as an element of self-defense.
Having struggled to draw subscribers to his database or find a publisher willing to provide ongoing support for his work , Green recently decided to make his historical dictionary of more than , words and phrases available for free , clams be damned. This means that, for the first time ever, this referential treasure can now be accessed by anyone. Each term he defines is traced back through time, often centuries, with citations showing how English speakers used it along the way.
But he will keep working all the same. Green has added thousands of terms since the dictionary went online and, like the OED, remains open to suggestions for the slang he should look into next. Contact us at letters time. By Katy Steinmetz. TIME Ideas hosts the world's leading voices, providing commentary on events in news, society, and culture. We welcome outside contributions.
Opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect the views of TIME editors.
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