slang
/slaŋ
/noun [mass noun]
A type of language consisting of words and phrases that are regarded as very informal, are more common in speech than writing, and are typically restricted to a particular context or group of people: grass is slang for marijuana army slang [as modifier]: slang terms...
- It also results in the legitimate public use of words that in other contexts are regarded as slang.
- We found that respondents disagreed about the specific meaning of even the most common slang terms.
- The kid who knew and used the latest slang word was definitely a higher grade than the kid who hadn't used it.
Synonyms
informal language, colloquialisms, idioms, patois, argot, cant, dialect;
jargon, terminology;
rhyming slang, back slang
informal lingo, geekspeak, -speak
verb [with object] informal
Attack (someone) using abusive language: he watched ideological groups slanging one another...
- It is nice that the Minister finished up with a big thank you to the select committee after that slanging he gave us during his speech.
- Losing the state elections of Hesse in February 1999, frequent slanging between members and finally the resignation of Lafontaine in March 1999 certainly made the future of the government look grim.
- The traditional slanging over cannibalism pales in comparison.
Origin
Mid 18th century: of unknown origin.