Learning English – Lesson Fifteen (Slang)

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Hi everybody…this is Misterduncan in England!

How are you today? Are you OK? I hope so!

Are you happy? I hope so!

In this lesson, we’re going to talk about a very fascinating part of the English language. Give me an ‘S’, Give me an ‘L’ Give me an ‘A’ ‘Give me an N’ ‘Give me an G’. Yes, today we’re going to talk about Slang.

So the first question must be..what exactly is slang?

Using slang means replacing a common word or sentence with a totally new one. The use of slang has been around for many years. It is often associated with younger people. Mainly due to the fact that each new generation wants it’s own identity. So in many ways it would be true to say that slang defines a generation. Lets take a look at a simple example of slang.

Can you see what I’ve got in my hand? Look!..i have some money. There are many slang words that can mean money. For example, we can say 

• “Cash” 
• “Dosh”
• “Dough”
• “Foldable Stuff”
• “Moolah”
• “Notes”
• “Readies”
• “Smackers”. 

We can also use slang to express certain currencies for example,  The English Pound, could be described as..”Quid” or “Nicker”. So in my hand I have 20 Quid. The US Dollar on the other hand..can be called “Buck” or “Green-Back”. So I could say…In my pocket I have 20 Bucks.

Another word that has had many slang terms given to it, is the word “Great”. For example, instead of saying great, we could say 

• “That’s ace”
• “That’s awesome”
• “That’s bad”
• “That’s bona”
• “Cool”
• “Excellent”
• “Far-Out”
• “Intense”
• “Radical”
• “Wicked”. 

These days, the most commonly used slang word for good or great is “Awesome!” and “Cool!”. Between you and me, I think that’s pretty awesome.

Did you know that the word ‘cool’ has been around as a slang term for over 50 years! So as you can see there are many slang words around. Although it’s worth remembering that some slang terms from years ago are no longer used today. For example…in the past we may have described a woman as a bird or a chick..Nowadays these two terms are considered, very offensive..so if you used it today, you may…get a slap in the face!

Let’s take a look at some more slang words.

Common Examples of Modern Slang

• “Aggro” = Means to fight violently with someone or use aggressive behavious
• “Babe” = A young attractive Woman
• “Barbie” = A slang word from Australia, meaning barbecue
• “Berk” = A stupid or foolish person
• “Cabbage” = A person who is “Brain-dead” from an injury or on a Life-Support machine
• “Cancer Stick” = A Cigarette
• “Chav” = A poorly educated person often used nowadays in the UK to describe young anti-social people
• “Cheerio” = This means goodbye
• “Chill-Out” = Relax
• “Choppers” = Your Teeth
• “Dead” = Meaning Extremely. For example..”It is dead hot in here”
• “Diamond” = This is used to mean wonderful or great. Originally used in London
• “Diddle” = To cheat someone or lie to them
• “Dish” = A good-looking and attractive man
• “Egg-Head” = A clever and intelligent person
• “Emo” = A shy, emotional young person
• “Erk” = An unimportant and worthless person
• “Fag” = A Cigarette
• “Fancy” = To be attracted to someone. I really fancy you!
• “Fisty-Cuffs” = A fight using the clenched hands
• “Fit” = Meaning, an attractive person. She is really fit. He is really fit.
• “Fuddy-Duddy” =  An old fussy person
• “Gay” = Unfashionable or Useless. This T-shirt is so gay.
• “Get a Life” = Do something useful. Sort yourself out.
• “Google Box” = The Television.
• “Graveyard Hours” = To work through the night

Examples of Slang From The USA

• “Airhead” = A stupid person
• “Bad” = This means good.
• “Barf” = To be sick or Vomit
• “Cruise” = To drive or move fast
• “Dough” = This means money
• “Dynamite” = Something that is impressive or exciting
• “Far-Out” = Something that is Unbelievable
• “Gut-Full” = This means enough of. I’ve had a Gut-full of you.
• “Hang Five” = Wait a moment
• “Pad” = Your apartment or home
• “Screw-up” = Make a big mistake. In the UK we say cock-up.
• “Split” = Leave. It’s time to split
• “Time-Out” = Take a break
• “Take it Easy” = Be careful
• “Out There” = Perform well
• “Wheels” = your car. Can I borrow your wheels?
• “Zip” = Nothing or zero

So as you can see, the world of slang is an ‘awesome’ and ‘far-out’ place. Part of the fun of learning English is discovering these new expressions and widening your use of the language to fit into your everyday life. This is Misterduncan in England..saying Hang tight until next time.  Bye-si-bye!, “Cheerio”,  “Later”..”Ta-rah”, “See ya…wouldn’t wanna be ya!”, “Goodbye!”