You have time to comment on this summary until class time this Friday, Sept. 19th.
_______________________________________________________
THE LANGUAGE OF THIEVES
When you think of the word “slang” what comes to mind? Almost certainly no one thought of phrases such as “shut your pie hole”, “fiddle sticks”, and “gosh darn it”, all phrases that we have either used ourselves or heard someone else say at least once in our lives. Though most people know the meanings of such phrases they are considered slang terms which essentially contradicts the definition of the term slang. To clarify, the term slang derives from the word “slenja” which literally translates to “sling the jaw” and in Shakespearian days slang was a way to keep the world oblivious to conversations between thieves.
Partially because of its historical context many would argue that slang is a derogatory language used specifically for concealment as the teacher believed in the article entitled Slang: A Lesson in Ninth-Grade Composition. On the contrary, others, such as the student in the story, would argue that slang is a way of expressing oneself in a relevant manner to prevent being excessively vindictive. One thing that the teacher and student agreed upon was slang could be taken in a positive context.
For instance, “window shopping”, “speeding”, and even “has-been” are phrases that have been widely accepted by the American culture because they are said to be unobjectionable and also because there are no other words in the English language to describe such thoughts.
After all is said and done, slang is what you make of it. Since not everyone understands slang terms it can be used to conceal a conversation, but, slang can also be used to express oneself when shouting expletives is not quite appropriate.
Now that you know a little more about the history of slang you should share some of your favorites with the rest of the class. In the comment area please share at least one term that you use instead of resorting to profanity. Example: “fiddle sticks”.
-L.W.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
21 comments:
A form of slang that I would use to avoid shouting an expletive would be "freakin' A." It's childish and silly, but it's what I use to avoid using another "f" word that is more inappropriate. I think that slang is definitely a positive form of the English language. It hints at familiarity and informality. When slang is used, there is a comfort level among the speakers that is not present at formal presentations where slang is not allowed. However, like all variants of the English language, it does have its place. Slang also gives a sort of privacy to its users if eavesdroppers cannot understand the slang.
My mom has a buckload of these that I grew up listening to so here are a few.
Well kiss my grits.
I'll be go to He** in a handbasket
A few I have come up with are
What the fuzzy?
Shut the Door! (in place of shut the heck up)
Slang is very intriguing when you really think about it, it really used in everyday language and sometimes you don't realize that your doing it. So of the slang that I know or grew up hearing were:
XYZ - Examine your zipper
Mind your Business - Quit being nosy
I remember in grade school when the kids would always make up words in place of profanity. For example:
"What the H E double hockey sticks!"
"What the fudge is that?"
These were a few that I could remember but I know that kids today still use phrases like these.
The slang I use to avoid using profanity is usually something like, darn, dang, and every once in a while shucks. I also use "effing" instead of actually saying the word. When speaking slang, you are usually with your friends or people that you are comfortable with. It provides a comfort level and make the conversation easy.
Slang that i use on a daily basis is:
I'm stoked
"I'm excited"
Thats raw
"Thats awesome"
Some of the terms i use in place of profanity are "Gosh darn it," "Shoot," "What the blood clot," and "Mofo" I have also found myself using many of the one that others have posted on this blog.
Truthfully, i usually just use the profanity, but when I am in a place that I can't I usually use the letters of the words.
Instead of the "f"word I will say something like: are you fing serious.
Or WTF means, "What the f..."
A form of slang that I find myself using is ..........What the fudgecake? Meaning what the f***? or "Keep it Movin", which means to get out of my face.
A form of language that I use the most when it is hot outside is "it is hot as all get out" or when I have dropped something on an accident I say "hot dingily darn it and smack my mama."
I am fond of:
Fuchs
God Bless it
Holy smokes
I use a lot of slang, on a daily basis. The one I use the most is "Mother F-er" rather than saying the actual word.
Slang is something that has taken the English language by storm, but in a good way. My opinion is you must have variety not only in your life, but also your words; and slang is a way to do that. It allows people to speak freely and with a comfortable tone. In terms of slang I use in place of profanity is usually: "Geez-um cripe," or "holy mother of god," or "Gosh dang," or "mother hucker." That is the beauty of slang. Being able to twist words around to make them your own, even if they are not grammatically correct.
Slang is a big part of my language every day, and I try to use it to offer a sense of levity to people around me. I'll say things like "horsehocky," "flummery," and "balderdash" in situations where it is incredibly inappropriate to use these terms (i.e., everywhere) just as a way to lighten tension.
I think slang is a very interesting aspect of our language. I tend to use the word 'Puke' in place of other 4 letter unpleasant words. I picked up that habit from an elderly man I live near. I also use 'fricken A' and 'shoot fire.'
Like someone else already mentioned, I unfortunately use too much profanity. I remember using, "son of a biscuit-eater" and "son of a beach" a lot when I was younger. Today, I most commonly use, "what the eff?". None of these leave much to the imagination.
Lessons on slang have much potential because they can be fun. Of course, you have to be careful. For instance, some of the websites we were looking at for our webquest assignment contained some pretty strong language. I think lessons on slang can help students realize how many phrases and words they use are slang that has integrated itself into our language.
I often use only the first letter of the curse word that I am holding back, such as:
“Well, F and S.”
(I’ll let you translate yourself).
A lot of the time instead of saying motherf***, I'll just say mother, as in "Ow, that hurt like a mother." It's not profane at all, but because it's associated with profanity it still gets the point across.
I also use slang to avoid saying profanity because most all situations are inappropriate for curse words. I think that slang is what you take it to be, it can be a way to conceal an conversation or a quick way to type something like through text messages. This is probably where I use the most “slang.” I use “WTF” for what the f*** or “TTYL” for talk to you later. I also use ya for you or lol for laugh out loud and sometimes I use these in conversations with friends.
In my home growing up, we were not allowed to use any sort of profanity. I never even heard my mom swear until I was in high school and started to laugh when it happened because it sounded so unnatural to me to hear that come out of her of mouth. I think it is the same for me. I don't feel natural at all when I have ever sworn. The words that I use in their place are "Dang it" and "Gosh." My mom to this day still won't even accept any of her children to say "What the eff!" She thinks it is too close to the real thing and I grew accustomed to not using them so I don't.
Slang is an excellent way to avoid embarrassing yourself in polite company. When I was younger, my friends and I would often catch ourselves on the verge of blurting out an expletive and very smoothly stretch it out into something much less offensive.
For example:
"Holy shitake mushrooms"
"Go to hello, mother"
"If I could just get these dam that blocks a river..."
and so on. I think that when properly used, these slang alternatives to expletives can foster creativity that eventually leads to an acquisition of words much more sophisticated than expletives. This is what I did in my teens and early adulthood (found words much more vivid than expletives). However, now that I'm older, I've found many situations where an expletive is the most viable option, such as stubbing your toe. I'm no hurry to shout, "Balderdash" in this case.
Post a Comment