Origin of Slangs

The Origin of Slang

Slang exists in pretty much every language, and is part of the natural evolution of a language. slang is the continual and ever-changing use and definition of words in informal conversation, often using references as a means of comparison or showing likeness. some modern slang has endured over the decades since its inception (i.e. cool) and some will only last a few years before being rendered obsolete or outdated (i.e. bling bling). slang can be born from any number of situations or ideas (the word 'slang' itself has come to represent selling, especially of illegal drugs), and can be blunt or riddled with metaphor, and often quite profound. 

Human language has been in a state of constant reinvention for centuries, and slang has been used and created by poets and writers of all sorts (William Shakespeare has been credited for the upbringing of at least a couple of words)

The origin of some popular slang cannot be traced while some others can be traced to particular regions/cultures and actual year they began to be used. In addition, some slang can be linked directly to specific people especially celebrities. two of such slang are listed below: 

'Nothing dey happen' 

'You go wound o'

Guess you are familiar with them? Can you tell us who originated them and what their possible meaning(s) is/are?

Comments are appreciated!

Watch out for our next blog where we will be featuring popular slang by reaching starting with Warri

Welcome to my blog! We will be talking about Nigerian slang and Slang around the world

Slang is the use of informal words and expressions that are not considered standard in the speaker's language or dialect but are considered acceptable in certain social settings. Slang expressions may act as euphemisms and may be used as a means of identifying with one's peers.

Defining slang

Few linguists have endeavored to clearly define what constitutes slang. Attempting to remedy this, Bethany K. Dumas and Jonathan Lighter argue that an expression should be considered "true slang" if it meets at least two of the following criteria:

·         It lowers, if temporarily, "the dignity of formal or serious speech or writing"; in other words, it is likely to be considered in those contexts a "glaring misuse of register"

·         Its use implies that the user is familiar with whatever is referred to, or with a group of people who are familiar with it and use the term.

·         "It's a taboo term in ordinary discourse with people of a higher social status or greater responsibility. "

·         It replaces "a well-known conventional synonym". This is done primarily to avoid discomfort caused by conventional phrases or by further elaboration.

Slang is different from jargon which is the technical vocabulary of a particular profession, and which meets only the second of the criteria given above. Jargon, like many examples of slang, may be used to exclude non–group members from the conversation, but in general has the function of allowing its users to talk precisely about technical issues in any given field