slang
Plural: slangs
Noun
- informal language consisting of words and expressions that are not considered appropriate for formal occasions; often vituperative or vulgar
- "their speech was full of slang expressions"
- a characteristic language of a particular group (as among thieves)
- Language outside of conventional usage and in the informal register.
- Language that is unique to a particular profession or subject; jargon.
- The specialized language of a social group, sometimes used to conceal one's meaning from outsiders; cant.
- A particular variety of slang; the slang used by a particular group.
- An item of slang; a slang word or expression.
- A curse word.
- Any long, narrow piece of land; a promontory.
- A fetter worn on the leg by a convict.
- A counterfeit weight or measure.
- A travelling show, or one of its performances.
- A hawker's license.
- A watchchain.
Verb
Verb Forms: slanged, slanging, slangs
- To use informal or vulgar language.
- use slang or vulgar language
- fool or hoax
- abuse with coarse language
- To vocally abuse, or shout at.
- simple past of sling
- To sell (something, especially illegal drugs).
Examples
- Though tempting, try not to SLANG during a heated Scrabble match, keep it classy.
Origin / Etymology
First use appears c. 1756, meaning "special vocabulary of tramps or thieves", origin unknown. Not believed to be connected with language or lingo.
Possibly derived from a North Germanic source, then possibly related to Nordic language: Danish slænge, Icelandic and Norwegian Nynorsk slengja, Norwegian slenge, Swedish slänga (“to (carelessly) sling, throw, hurl; throw away, to dispose of; to flail”), with derivational nouns such as slæng, sleng, släng etc. Compare the compound: Danish slængenavn, Norwegian slengenavn, Norwegian Nynorsk slengenamn, Swedish slängnamn (“nickname, byname, informal name”, literally “sling-name”), and the phrases: Norwegian Nynorsk slengja kjeften, Swedish slänga käften (“to abuse verbally”, literally “to sling one's jowl”), Swedish slänga ur sig (“to say something hastily, carelessly, thoughtlessly”, literally “to throw out of oneself”), also Swedish (regional) slänga (“careless, nonchalant girl”, literally “sling + feminine suffix -a”).
Synonyms
argot, befool, cant, cod, dupe, fool, gull, jargon, lingo, patois, put on, put one across, put one over, slang expression, slang term, take in, vernacular, flog, sling
Scrabble Score: 6
slang: valid Scrabble (US) TWL Wordslang: valid Scrabble Word in Merriam-Webster MW Dictionary
slang: valid Scrabble Word in International Collins CSW Dictionary