Slang & Idioms

Slang is casual spoken language which differs from dialectical speech and jargon as well as formal speech. Some linguists think of slang as the sprinkles of color in a language, since slang is often unique, unusual, and sometimes startling. As a general rule, slang is not used in formal spoken language, or in writing, unless the speaker is attempting to achieve a deliberate effect. Some slang terms, however, make the jump from slang to accepted common usage, as was the case with “OK.”

Often, slang begins as group-specific argot, which is related to jargon. Unlike jargon, however, argot is not a collection of technical terms which are used within a group with limited outside understanding. Instead, argot is used to differentiate members of a group from others, and to foster a sense of collective belonging in the group. In addition, it can provide a way to talk about questionable or illegal activity without being obvious. When argot begins to spread from small subgroups to the rest of a group of language speakers, it becomes slang.