argot

Plural: argots

Noun

• The specialized language or slang of a particular group.
• a characteristic language of a particular group (as among thieves)
• A secret language or conventional slang peculiar to thieves, tramps and vagabonds.
• The specialized informal vocabulary and terminology used between people with special skill in a field, such as between doctors, mathematicians or hackers.
• A strongly marked style of speaking.

Examples

• Bingo, hook, and phony are all part of the Scrabble player’s argot.
• The conversation was in the argot of the trade, full of acronyms and abbreviations that made no sense to the uninitiate.

Synonyms

cant, jargon, lingo, patois, slang, vernacular

Related Words

ARGOTIC