A Guide To Modern Slang: How To Understand The Lingo

Slang We Go Go

I was sitting at my best friend’s house one afternoon enjoying a glass of wine, when her oldest daughter and a group of friends walked in. Being a nosy parent and equally intrigued by the conversations these crazy teenagers come up with these days, we both took this opportunity to get up to speed with the latest gossip and current events of the millennials. It became immediately apparent that our ability to comprehend the majority of their vocabulary would be almost impossible.

These young people speak in code. Did you know this? It consisted of part English, and part something else. The something else would be best described as an informal language that uses unconventional words and phrases. It seemed to be spoken in a fluent type manner. The confusing factor in the whole experience was that when you really listened to what they were saying, not a lick of it made any sense.

Here’s the thing…as ridiculous as some of the things I learned about the “current” ways to speak in this day and age, the more I realized how it could be used to my advantage when speaking “fluent” teenager. It was almost like I was given access to the usage o their secret codes. I had opened the doorway to understanding a completely new, current, and updated dialect. I was totally “DOPE!”

New Dialect Learned

Here’s some of the dialect, or ‘standard language,’ if you will that I was instructed to learn that afternoon. Some new words, slang expressions, a noun here, a verb there, a slang term, a slang word, some jargon, and a whole lot of slang!!!! I strongly recommend you study this list!

And if ever at a loss for a great profanity generating book…. (Just came to mind) I highly recommend CREATIVE CURSING- a mix ’n’ match profanity generator by Sarah Royal. To purchase her book : click here

HearWeGoGo with some Slang Yo! OMG….

• Bro….greeting your homie or
• Not to be confused with Breh?… Are you serious?
• Boo…A common pet name used for your significant other .
• Bussin’…a term meaning “really good” mainly referring to food, or anything digestible.
• Top G…Used to describe someone as top
• “You Fatty”…in other .”You dumb dumb!”
• “Dab me up”…this is instructing your bud to perform that slick hand shake that y’all do. You know the one…;)
• Getting Sturdy… well, even I know this one… it’s a series of dance Look it up on TikTok. It only took me like a week to learn it. Good Lord!
• Salty…this implies that someone is exceptionally bitter, angry, or
• Ghosting…meaning to completely quit communicating with
• Fit… short for Out”fit”. “Nice FIT you got going on ”
• Low-Key… this is a term used to downplay a “I am low-key freaking out right now!”
• Savage…to be pinned this term, you must have shown a fearless Done something brave. It is supposedly a complement. Who would have know.
• Situationship…This is a goodie! This exists so that there are no misunderstandings in terms of where one stands in a It is when you are more than friends, but not quite at the couple stage yet.

Not Done….

• Fly…”Too fly to Die” … very fashion
• No Doubt… meaning absolutely or a solid
• Tight…cool.
• Swag…anything cool or
• Dope…Sooo cool!
• Fierce…also a compliment given for someone’s efforts of
• Slay…”You go girl!”
• Opp…Short for “opp”onent. Meaning, you are the opposition, the enemy working against someone.
• Sus or Sussy…someone who seems
• Yassify…this process is to use filters provided on social media to beautify someone’s appearance beyond
• WYA…Acronym for “where you at?”
• Biach…term of endearment used between
• Drip…you got
• Fire vs Trash…Fire being wonderful vs Trash being
• Rizz…this is a males ability to impress a
• “On Fleek”…meaning you’re in style or looking your best!
• Buggin’…this means loosing control of a
• Trippin’…”Girl, you trippin’!” meaning acting a fool, thinking crazy thoughts, or perhaps freaking
• Word…this is a Kind of like saying, “Roger that!”
• Poppin’…”What’s poppin’?” Or “What’s going on?”
• Bomb…something awesome! “That movie was the bomb!”
• Fresh…describes someone’s stylish

Whatttttt?????

After having this experience that afternoon, I began to pay more attention to the lingo around me. Had I been living under a rock or just refusing to conform to such Idioms? This group of people had opened my eyes to a completely new subculture. The use of slang might be the main focus of a particular group of teenagers, but this social group had impressively developed their own little fam or community that consisted of its own form of communication. I had to give it to them… pretty impressive. To my surprise, I came to find multiple books written on the topic to keep people well versed. Aside from that, it was also available all over the internet and obviously available on a billion memes.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I say “f*ck” in casual conversations without offending anyone, or am I just being a jerk by saying it?

Using profanity in casual conversations can be seen as inappropriate and offensive, depending on the context and the people you are with. Before using language like this, it is best to consider the setting and the people around you. If you know that the person or people you are speaking to are comfortable with this type of language, then it may be okay to use it. However, if the people around you do not usually use such language, then it is best to avoid it so as not to offend anyone. Ultimately, it is up to you to decide what language is appropriate in any given situation, but always remember that your words have an impact and can be taken offensively.

How can I use slang in my writing?

Using slang in writing can be a great way to inject personality and character into your writing and make it more engaging. When using slang in your writing, it is important to be mindful of the context and audience. Slang words and phrases should not be used in more formal or professional settings, such as business documents or academic papers, as they can appear unprofessional or out of place. However, if you are writing for a more casual audience, slang can be an effective way to give your writing a unique voice and tone. When using slang, it is also important to ensure that you are aware of any potential cultural implications or connotations associated with the words or phrases you are using. Finally, don’t go overboard – too much slang can start to sound forced or cliche. Use it sparingly and judiciously for best results.

Where do slang words come from, and how do they change over time?

Slang words often come from popular culture and everyday conversations. They are typically informal phrases or words that are used by a particular group or subculture to express themselves in an unique way. As slang words become more popular, they can change in meaning and connotation over time as they are used in different contexts and by different people. For example, the word “cool” has had many different meanings over the decades — from being a synonym for “fashionable” during the 1950s to referring to something that is “awesome” today. Slang also evolves as new generations of people adopt it and give it their own spin. As slang words enter wider usage, they can become part of the standard language, and eventually lose their original meaning.

What are some popular examples of slang?

1. Chillax: A combination of “chill” and “relax,” used to mean take it easy.

2.Fire – Something amazing.

3. Flexing – Showing off achievements or possessions.

4.Turnt – Excited or highly energetic about doing something.

5.FOMO – Fear Of Missing Out.

6.Stan – To be an enthusiastic fan of something.

7. Snack: A person who is attractive or appealing.

8. Bae: An affectionate term for a significant other, typically used in place of “baby” or “babe”.

9. YOLO: An acronym for “you only live once”, used to express the idea of seizing the moment and living life to the fullest.

Slang Sources:

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• Slangman, guide to Street Speak 1,2,and,3…… lol…. The complete course in American slang &Idioms. By Slangman David Of course the other editions were there as well. To Purchase: Click here
• American English Slang by Jackie Bolen. To Purchase: Click here 
• Improv(e) your conversations by Patrick King. To Purchase: Click here
• McGraw-Hill’s Dictionary of American Slang and Colloquial Expressions fourth edition by Richard Spears, PhD. (WHAAAAAATTTTT????) To Purchase: Click here

And the list goes on and on. I must say, The dictionary of Slang written by a PhD does intrigue me. This one will become part of my library. Those lingo talking punks can’t get anything on me… I will have my very own DICTIONARY of American Slang. Slang dictionaries people!!! with Colloquial Expressions!!! Suck it teenagers!