Tuesday, December 19, 2006

Slang?

It amazes me how much slang is in our language. I realized this especially while I was in Jamaica but I have been paying closer attention and these are some that baffle me and other English as a second language folks:

hair of the dog Noun. An alcoholic chaser which will help relieve the symptoms of a hangover, usually needed on the morning after a drinking binge.

Graze: Verb To eat a lot of food without actually having a proper meal, usually in the context of picking at food that is readily available at a buffet.

see a man about a horse: Any general business that needs attending to that you may not care to discuss with the present party.

break a leg: What you tell someone about to perform in a drama or musical performance to wish them well. What you don't say is "good luck".

Bought The Farm: Passed away. Expired. Vacated this worldly plain. Snuffed it. Died.

trolling: the act of seeking out a person to hook up with. In a bar or on the Internet

hook up: 1. received a good or service as a favor 2. to make out with someone 3. to have sex with someone

No holds barred: wrestling term used to describe a no rules match.

Going commando: To wear pants without underwear

Is it no wonder people have a difficult time learning our language? I commend people who make the effort to understand us.

I am amazed at how most slang words deal with sex or illegal activities.

Just a little observation.


2 comments:

mark garvin said...

Sorry to "burst your bubble," but none of the items on your list are examples of slang. Euphemisms, phrases and colloquialisms, yes; slang, no.

Our language has many peculiarities that make it difficult for foreigners, and, apparently, Americans.

one4JC said...

I beg to differ Bud: check out this link to http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/slang

In part it says: SLANG
1.very informal usage in vocabulary and idiom that is characteristically more metaphorical, playful, elliptical, vivid, and ephemeral than ordinary language, as 'Hit the road.'
2.(in English and some other languages) speech and writing characterized by the use of vulgar and socially taboo vocabulary and idiomatic expressions.

And this:
A kind of language occurring chiefly in casual and playful speech, made up typically of short-lived coinages and figures of speech that are deliberately used in place of standard terms for added raciness, humor, irreverence, or other effect.

I believe that does fit the definition of the things I posted.