(click to ginormous-ize)
I love the English language. Actually, I like ALL words, foreign, alien, tongue-clicking – you name it. People have said that English is really hard to learn, mostly because of all the idioms we use constantly. And then there’s SLANG.
In court the other day, the Defendant, about 60 years-old and not a native English-speaker, was representing himself. He explained that he didn’t want an interpreter because he had been taking English classes. Instead, he asked the judge to please speak slowly so he can be sure to understand.
The judge confirmed, for the record, that the Defendant declined the assistance of an interpreter and asked him, “Is that correct?”
Mr. Fully Assimilated Defendant replied, “Right on!”
…Aaaand of course, once again my muffled giggling hurt my throat.
Slang fascinates me. And it bums me out that I’ve never been smooth when I use it. It always sounds so forced and rigid. Maybe because English is my second language or maybe…um, I’m just a dork. (So good thing I have that first excuse handy.)
It’s just fun to learn some slang that was common back in the day. For example:
- In the 50’s, they said “Daddy-O” alot. Now it’s “Mac Daddy”.
- In the 60’s, you earned “bread”. Now you might be low on “cheddar”.
- In the 70’s, dancers on Soul Train had some “bad” moves. Now it’s “mad skillz”.
There’s a plethora of fun slang from the 80’s to especially now. (Why I gotta always use words like “plethora”? No wonder I can’t shake the nerd in me.)
So how about you throw in a few of your favorite slang words and phrases here, so I can be more proficient in usage. Thanks. I really dig you, man! (Please don’t send the Dork Police after me.)
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13 kids playing along so far ↓
1 ReformingGeek
// May 16, 2010 at 8:48 am
Um…..I am losing the battle. I thought I knew some slang but when I see some of the stuff people say on Facebook, I’m lost.
Is “stuff” slang?
I guess I should have had kids to keep me current.
ReformingGeek´s last blog ..The Past, the Pleasant, and the Neighbor
2 marissa
// May 17, 2010 at 8:35 am
ReformingGeek:
I think “stuff” is slang. Cuz, you know, like, it’s like all that other stuff that people say and stuff.
3 otin
// May 17, 2010 at 10:59 am
Oh, there are a lot of them that you hear now! “That is Dope” “Phat”
Those are just two that popped into my head. Of course, when I was 8 we used to say “Neato” and “Wicked” LMAO!
otin´s last blog ..Memes and Themes
4 Old School
// May 17, 2010 at 11:48 am
From my favorite decade, you have to like totally remember the Valley slang.
I also remember using “Fresh” and “Wack” as opposites for good & bad.
Old School´s last blog ..Back to the 80s: Preview Review – Romancing the Stone (1984) – Kickin’ it Old School
5 Jim @ CoolStuffForDads.com
// May 17, 2010 at 12:44 pm
I got nothin’.
6 Darryll
// May 17, 2010 at 5:17 pm
The ’60s – Loved it when Link on the Mod Squad would basically say “I understand and agree with your assessment of the situation” with one word “Solid”.
The ’70s – Fonzie’s one word that meant everything from “I’m the coolest” to “Don’t even think of it” – “Heeyyy”.
The ’80s – “Smokin’” – can’t tell you who/when.
Since then I’ve just started recycling… I’m not too up on the current slang.
BTW, Marissa – if you want to be an uber-geek, preface every “plethora” with “veritable”. As in “This post has a veritable plethora of slang terms bouncing about it…”
7 Shawn
// May 17, 2010 at 6:21 pm
I still end 30-40% of my words with “-izzle”, so I’m pretty much on the cutting edge of slang. That’s what my mom says, anyway.
Shawn´s last blog ..The Perfect Post
8 marissa
// May 17, 2010 at 6:53 pm
Otin:
I like “dope”. The WORD, not the noun. I say “coolio” alot and still use “neato”. My son cringes when I say Awesome ‘Possum. I can’t help myself.
But the latest word — gather ’round folks — is EPIC. That one’s for free. I’m charging you guys next time.
~ ~ ~
Old School:
80’s slang is the easiest to roll off my tongue. I can channel Moon Unit Zappa on that song “Valley Girl.” But I sound pretty whack doing it.
~ ~ ~
Jim:
!! You got bupkis?! Zip, zilch, niente?! Bada bing bada boom! (I don’t know what I’m saying anymore. Someone pull me off this keyboard.)
~ ~ ~
Darryll:
“Solid”. That’s good. I’m gonna start using that. And “veritable”! YES- Uber-Geek City, here I come!
~ ~ ~
Shawn:
I love the -izzle words. I just can’t figure out how to mash-up the words like Snoop does. Are there books out there to help me?
9 Gorilla Bananas
// May 23, 2010 at 1:08 am
MacDaddy? You can’t be serious! Definitely an insult in Scotland.
Gorilla Bananas´s last blog ..Violets are blue
10 marissa
// May 23, 2010 at 11:46 am
Gorilla Bananas:
Thanks for the heads up. I’ll be sure to NOT ever tell a Scottish person he’s a Mac Daddy. Not even as I wink, point and *tsk* in jest.
Hey BTW – I learned a new word from the title of your blog. “Jape” or “Japing”. I Like!
11 otin
// May 28, 2010 at 2:00 pm
And here I was thinking that there would be a new post up….
12 marissa
// May 28, 2010 at 4:15 pm
It’s coming – it’s coming!! (Kinda like the birthing process, I gotta push it out with lots of sweat.) LOL
Um, this Sunday night. Yes, that’s right…
13 The Constant Complainer
// Jun 9, 2010 at 8:38 am
I had forgotten all about that scene from Airplane. Was that Samuel L. Jackson? Seriously, I’m asking. Was it?
The Constant Complainer´s last blog ..A Delicate Debate
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