Examples of common slang within the United States include:. Since a number of slang terms make reference to sex, violence, drugs, or crime, the use of slang is often seen as an indicator of the speaker's lower social status.
Nothing could be further from the truth! The use of slang has no correlation to the speaker's intelligence or grasp of the language. Indeed, creative use of slang can be a fun and enlightening component of anyone's vocabulary. Some American slang words become common phrases. Slang phrases tend to develop from the attempt to find fresh and vigorous, colorful, pungent, or humorous expressions.
See a few common slang phrases used today. Some slang words are commonly used across the country and appear in nationwide communication such as movies, television and magazines. But, some slang words have not gone mainstream and are used only in certain regions of the U. For example, here are a few regional slang words.
Thought we had a break-in the other night, but it was just the cat knocking over the clothes tree. Something or someone broken or worthless. Never used ironically, and a pretty nasty insult when directed at a person. It's more commonly used to describe objects. You still got that no account Pinto?
Naw, man, I got a rad Camaro up on blocks, but that engine just ain't no account. Meaning: mentally ill. You should give up trying to put the moves on her. She is married. Meaning: seduce. It was an elaborate put-on which I almost believed. Meaning: deception. Meaning: bed. There sure was a lot of racket outside last night. Meaning: noise. Meaning: newspaper. Meaning: annoying. My office is filled with paper-pushers. Meaning: bureaucratic office workers. Meaning: love parties. We need to party-hearty because we just got a raise in salary.
Meaning: celebrate. I am not going to work for peanuts. Meaning: practically no money. Working on a computer for me is a piece of cake. Meaning: easy to do. Meaning: eat a lot or overeat. Meaning: stop and go to the bathroom. He drinks too much and is always plastered on the weekend. He pooped out after we started to do the hard work.
Meaning: quit. You need to mellow out and enjoy life. Meaning: calm down and relax. There has been a meltdown in the relationship between my parents and me. Meaning: total collapse. The homework the teacher gave us was mickey mouse. Meaning: nonsense and a waste of time. I am going to try to move on Sarah next Saturday. Meaning: pick up and seduce. Watch out for the narks in the airport. Meaning: drug police.
There are too many negatives about the company merger. Meaning: bad things. The police nicked the shoplifter as he was leaving the store. Meaning: arrested. Meaning: no problem. Meaning: heat up in the microwave. Does that attack plane have any nukes? Meaning: nuclear weapons.
You are completely nuts if you think I will go with you. Meaning: crazy. Meaning: criticize. Who was that knockout I saw you with last Friday?
Meaning: stunning person. Meaning: punch in the mouth. Watch out for all the kooks in this neighborhood. Meaning: strange people. Meaning: rolls of fat around my stomach. Try not to make waves around the office. Meaning: cause trouble. I am maxed out at my work and need to rest. Meaning: exhausted. I have mega amounts of tomatoes in my garden this summer.
Meaning: large. He made megabucks when he sold his company. Meaning: a lot of money. They are really in deep with each other. Meaning: deeply involved. Everything is in the bag. There is nothing to worry about.
Meaning: settled. This is a very intense situation we are discussing. Meaning: serious. I am glad you got yourself out of that jam. Meaning: trouble. Recently it seems like everyone is jerking me around. Meaning: wasting my time and causing me trouble.
My roommate is a jock for the basketball team. Meaning: an athlete. He is good at rolling joints. Meaning: marijuana cigarettes. He kept his cool when his house burned down. Meaning: remained calm.
Meaning: beer party. The teenagers look high to me. Meaning: intoxicated on drugs or alcohol. He is such a hip-shooter. Meaning: always talking without thinking. Meaning: something in the past. Your proposal was a hit with the boss. Meaning: successful. I had to hole up for three days because the police were looking for me. Meaning: hide. The honcho says that we are going to have to give up two days of our vacation. Meaning: boss. Her clothes make her look like a hooker.
Meaning: prostitute. The police stopped them because they thought the car was hot. Meaning: stolen. Meaning: eager to make money. Meaning: hurry up.
ESL classes and language learning textbooks taught us the traditional vocabulary and how to engage in formal discussions. But what about informal conversations? Also, there's a downloadable PDF in the end of this article with all American slang words you should know if you want to impress the natives.
Luckily, there are a few resources accessible online that offer an abundance of slang words and phrases. Here are five of them:. You can have lessons specifically about slang vocabulary so that you can better participate in casual and informal conversations.
English tutors at Justlearn are well-versed in slang vocabulary and are perfectly capable of teaching them to you. Urban dictionary is a website that serves as a dedicated American slang dictionary. This website enables users to submit their own entries of various slang terms, thus ensuring that its content is consistently updated.
Slang City is a website that features articles, interactive games, and illustrated topical guides to various types of slang words and phrases.
Although Slang City is not necessarily considered as a dictionary, it is another great online resource to learn English slang words and their definitions. The majority of the words come with an audio clip, enabling you to hear how the regional slang word is properly pronounced.
ManyThings features a list of over slang words and phrases along with their definitions sorted alphabetically. There are also example sentences for each word and phrase to help you better understand how they are used in context.
Being aware of the slang words and phrases is crucial when learning the English language. When defined literally, a bomb is a type of explosive. But when used as slang, bomb is often used to refer to someone or something that is really good or awesome. Their burger is the bomb!
Feeling disappointed? The word bummer has you covered to express exactly how you feel. That movie was a bummer. Defined literally, chill refers to cold temperature. But when used as slang, chill out and chilling out may sound the same, but it is used in different ways.
Do you want to come over? Literally, epic refers to a long poem. However, when used as slang, it has an entirely different meaning.
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