Spoken English slang. How to solve a problem

Slang- an English word that even those who do not know English know and understand. This word means a special vocabulary in colloquial speech, not yet jargon, but no longer literary speech. Slang exists, perhaps, in any language in the world. These words appear in the language under the influence of modern life, spread widely especially among young people and over time give way to new ones that appear among the new generation of young people.

In addition, slang words are often born in a professional environment. It’s scary to think how many slang words, for example, computer scientists have. It is unlikely that an uninitiated person will be able to understand what we are talking about. The same situation is observed with the understanding of foreign slang - and the words seem to be known, but what they are talking about - who can understand them.

Slang is a paradoxical phenomenon. On the one hand, the educated population of the planet looks down on it and considers it vulgar, on the other hand, who among you has not at least once used slang in your speech?

Slang is as ancient a phenomenon as the world itself. People have always been people and sought to enliven their speech with vivid images, inventing new words and their meanings. Therefore, in any language you can find a tendency to form slang words, and you will be surprised how similar these word formations will be to those in the Russian language.

On the other hand, we cannot understand some expressions even in our native language, let alone a foreign one. There are several varieties of slang in the English language alone. English slang truly diverse and unique. Bright and succinct words are born from the depths of literary English, sometimes even simply out of a feeling of protest against a long, difficult-to-pronounce word. This is especially true of young people, who also strive to encrypt their language in order to separate themselves from the world of prim adults. Therefore, slang, like the language itself, is a living organism that is constantly changing.

Obviously, slang is still not jargon and not everything is acceptable here, nevertheless, it is precisely such words that noticeably decorate and enliven English correct speech, adding a sort of “pepper” to it. Therefore, slang can be compared to a tramp who looks into the windows of a palace, always somewhere nearby, but cannot enter the doors of this palace and get into high society.

However, no one drives him away, but graciously allows him to be around, and sometimes even bestows mercy. So, for example, who in the modern world does not know the word lunch and its meaning? But hardly anyone knows that this word was originally just a slang word, as well as some other very well-known ones, such as fun, bus, etc.

Or a word dandy . Remember, Pushkin’s Evgeny Onegin was “dressed like a London dandy”? The meaning of this slang word, popular back in the time of Pushkin, “dandy” or “dandy” is known to you and me, isn’t it?

However, including slang in your active English vocabulary is, to put it mildly, risky. But if you are still determined to decorate your English speech with slangisms, familiarize yourself with some of the most common expressions so as not to get into trouble:

a screw loose - “the roof has gone crazy”;

airhead – stupid (literally – “air in the head”);

all wet – erroneous (literally – “all wet”);

beans – money (literally – “beans”);

bimbo – blonde (in a humorous sense);

bird – bird (about a girl);

cabbage – “vegetable” (literally – “cabbage”);

couch potato – television fan (literally – “potatoes in skins”);

cool – cool (literally – “cool”);

fit – sexy (literally – “suitable”);

freebie – freebie (literally – “free”);

hammered – drunk (literally – “knocked”);

hole in the wall – ATM (literally – “hole in the wall”);

hot – sexy (literally – “hot”);

knockout – a stunning woman or man (literally – “knockout”);

party animal – party animal (literally – “an animal at a party”).

Of course, this is by no means a complete list of slang words. If you know any interesting words from English slang, we will be glad if you share with us and our readers.

Our topic today is somewhat frivolous; there will be no rules or tedious tables in it. Let's talk about that special form of language or profanity called slang. In any language there are terms that are not in textbooks, decent books and films.

It has been proven that jargon has existed and exists at any time, is constantly changing and is closely related to the social or age group where it is used. This is most often a youth language, since it is young people who isolate themselves from the world of adults and create their own world, with their own laws and even language. But very quickly such words break out beyond the youth group and become ubiquitous.

Our task today is to understand the peculiarities of the modern English language and whether we need to know youth slang at all, isn’t it enough just to know grammar and spoken language? We do not recommend bragging about your knowledge of these words to strangers, you may be misunderstood

Slang is not fashion, but a product of life

If so many studies on youth slang and dictionaries have been published today, does that mean someone still needs it? Or maybe, if it is necessary, then only for young people?

Judge for yourself: you move among young people, for example, you teach English at school. But there is no understanding between you and the students, everything is limited to questions and answers, your irritability and the ridicule of the schoolchildren. Maybe they won’t stick a piece of paper with an offensive inscription to your back or put buttons on your chair, but you still periodically hear incomprehensible words thrown after you, and sometimes even chuckles, right? And this makes you even more angry, fills you with suspicion and misanthropy.

Well, what if, instead of taking offense, you suddenly one day inserted some slang word into a dialogue with a student, or simply reacted correctly to their “Albanian”, making it clear that you know it? Can you imagine how quiet it would be in the classroom and how the schoolchildren would respect you? This does not mean that you will allow familiarity and will continue to pour out these words, forgetting about the subject (what kind of teacher are you then?) But students will definitely stop considering you an “old galosh.”

Historical reference:

As you know, even A. S. Pushkin used slang, and in comparison with him, any “English” slang will seem like baby talk.

N. G. Pomyalovsky, in the book “Essays on the Bursa,” spoke about the use of slang... in the theological seminary of St. Petersburg in the century before last. Here are the words used by future clergy:

bursa - seminary
fund - treat
fiducia - enterprise
kulya - comrade
shram kulya is a good friend

Of course, today such words are deeply archaic.

Youth slang is constantly changing and is closely related to the history and cultural characteristics of the country. It often arises where there is a youth protest movement against something.

The main sources of our youth slang

The main language sources of American slang: American slang

immigrants
beatniks, tramps, hippies
drug addicts, criminal world
army, navy
business
students, schoolchildren, teenagers
jazz and contemporary music
sports (American football, baseball, etc.)
Hollywood movies

As you can see, the origins of modern Russian slang and English are somewhat different. Our slang can be called more cultural; it is mixed with proverbs and verbal puns. I really liked these “alterations”:

God once sent a piece of cheese to Voronezh...
Posner is better than never!
We were born to make Kafka come true!

Believe me, if we were raised on the “great” and “mighty”, and the origins of our swearing begin with Pushkin’s poetry itself, then are we really not able to overcome English slang?

Grammatical features of English slang

You can immediately feel the differences between English grammar and spoken language when you arrive in an English-speaking country. Such abbreviations can be considered elements of slang:

gonna - going to
wanna - want to
Ama - I'm
Yep, ye - yes
Dis - this
U - you
Dunno - don't know
Cause - because

And many words can have both ordinary and slang meanings. For example, these words:

cool - cool, fresh - cool, cool
to bless you - bless you - be healthy (after sneezing)

In this article you will not see familiar grammatical rules on how to correctly compose a slang expression. Slang has no grammar; it is a kind of denial of all grammatical norms. And yet, you need to write and use the slang dialect correctly if you have already decided on it, otherwise you risk using a word that has a completely different meaning and will end up in a situation that is funny or not so good for you.

When you write and speak, be careful!

Surprisingly, sometimes just one letter can change the meaning of a word in a language. So, adding the letter -s to an innocent particle - as(how) turns a particle into an insult

For comparison: if to the Russian particle - How add one letter, then you get something too :-), not so terrible, really, but similar in meaning.

So when you write, be careful! One letter can ruin everything. Also, if you speak slowly, and even whistle on the letter -s, it is better to avoid turns where this particle -as is present.

Another tip: when describing someone’s appearance in English, also look first at a modern slang dictionary, remember how to make basic sentences, as well as the cartoon “ Who will praise me the most?

Remember? Girl, you have these big eyes (big eyes)- Beautiful, is not it? Further - big ears(big ears) - well, that’s all right. But to say it in English in a tongue twister (and without any -have/has) big mouth(big mouth) is fraught, because bigmouth they mean: Chatterbox, yap.

And we will speak better Russian! - you decide, and again you won’t guess. This will not save you from the need to know some elements of local youth slang, since some Russian words are similar to English curse words. For example, never say “bananas” loudly on the street if you are in America: bananas translated psycho!

Under no circumstances should you brag in an English youth campaign that you learned the language from the famous, world-famous Bonk textbook. You will cause massive laughter, because bonk— they have one well-known obscene word.

Useful information for departing travelers

But in English there are also slang words that sound similar to Russian ones:

bastard - illegitimate, bastard
gaga - dumbfounded, eccentric
tits - breasts

There are also words that have migrated to us from English slang and do not require translation:

baby - baby
cop - cop, policeman
fake - to tease, to fool
cash down - money on a barrel
zero cool - super, cool

Here are some more relatively harmless words and phrases of modern English slang:

The British and Americans often do not understand each other

It is necessary to distinguish between English and American slang. Some words and phrases mean one thing in England, but something completely different in America. There are many funny stories about how people get into trouble by not using local terms correctly.
Slang? Chief. The British are generally extremely polite people, and usually, if they use slang, you can guess what they mean by the meaning. It's funny because Americans, even the word sorry doesn't always mean an apology. If an Englishman apologizes to you thousands of times for every little thing, then don’t expect the same from an American. They are quite simple people in communication and are not used to mannerisms, so if you suddenly hear that they say sorry to you, then do not rush to rejoice: it is quite possible that you have violated something, and there is a policeman in front of you

Here are the meanings of some words:

Here are some funny examples.

In order to learn how to speak youth slang, you need to learn the most common words and expressions from a slang or jargon dictionary, and hear their pronunciation live. Do not use dubious “samizdat” with dishonest translation when works of famous linguists have been published on this topic. Yes, yes, it would seem, some kind of jargon, but to qualify it, scientists were involved.

I think you are convinced: in order to know and use youth slang terms, you need to be a literate person. This is not a contradiction. If you decide to first learn English slang, and only then grammar, you will look ridiculous and funny: you know, you don’t know anything, but you swear like a shoemaker. It is unlikely that you will command respect even among young people. For them, this is their lifestyle, but for you, it’s clownery and trying to “get in touch” with the young people. You also need to master slang masterfully. Therefore, first the grammar, and only then leave the youth slang for a snack.

There is nothing worse than when a non-native speaker tries to speak slang. For what?

This can be funny at best, annoying at worst.

You need to master slang in the same way as other speech styles, and even more important is to know when and with whom to use it.

Avoid using harsh vulgar words when you can find similar but softer expressions. Remember that swearing and slang are two different things, and today the use of overt swearing is a sign of bad taste.

Today slang is used both in politics and art. You don’t have to go far: almost every American film today contains slang expressions, and the famous animated series “South Park” has broken all records for the amount of obscene language. In the stands, in newspapers, on TV, they don’t mince words either. Today, Americans themselves are protesting against such an abundance of dirty speech in their lives.

So, what have we learned about English slang:

this is an important part of the language and you need to know it
it should be used only as needed and preference should be given to non-rigid forms
priority should be on the side of grammar (first learn the language itself, and only then slang)
English and American slang are different
it should be taught using modern dictionaries of youth slang, and not from dubious sources.

4 Votes: 3,75 out of 5)

Let it be known to everyone that British slang is a separate niche in the English language, developing and transforming and moving from city to city year after year, just like the English language itself. While American slang has become universal with the influx of various TV shows, films and other media filling the screens of the majority of the world's population, there is still so much interesting stuff hiding under the surface of British slang, and if you dig a little deeper, you might find the real ones for yourself. jewelry.

So, if you are interested in what good Britons and bloody bastards use in everyday speech and you are going to replenish your thick vocabulary with buzzwords, or, finally, you are simply ready to hit your loved ones with the English cannon of pathos, then you will definitely like this article. Oi! Don't say you know it. Just check it!

50 English slang expressions

Mate. Friend, old man, buddy, sidekick, bro - take your pick. One of the most commonly used terms used by the British when referring to male persons for whom there are feelings of sympathy or affection. For example, when you are communicating with a close friend. Easily replaces American buddy, pal or dude. Good job, mate! - Great job, old man! or Alright, mate? - Order, friend?

Bugger all. In short, this translates as “nothing.” Or, more culturally, nothing at all. The British often use these 2 words if they want to add a touch of vulgarity to their speech. I've had bugger all to all day. - I was nothing to do all day. In simple terms - I’ve had nothing to do all day.

Knackered. And this term is used by the Britons to express fatigue ( tiredness) and exhaustion ( exhaustion), in any situation. Often replaces the word “exhausted”. Of course, it is recommended to use it among friends:) I am absolutely knackered after a hard day at work. - I fully exhausted after a hard day at work.

Gutted. This word in England is one of the saddest on the list: (To be gutted about a current situation means to be completely depressed ( devastated) and inconsolably saddened ( saddened). His gf broke up with him. He's absolutely gutted these days. - His girlfriend broke up with him. He is completely crushed the other day.

Gobsmacked. It's like Godsmack, but not. A truly British expression denoting a state of shock or extreme surprise, beyond the bounds of probability. The expression, as some Englishmen believe, came from the word “gob” (British mouth), and from the shocked countenance, from -because someone hit her hard. I was gobsmacked when she told me she was pregnant with triplets. - I I was shocked, when she announced to me that she was pregnant with triplets.

Cock Up. By no means, this is not a “cock up” or even the consequences of Viagra. The meaning of this term is quite far from anything vulgar, and means a mistake, a failure of huge, even epic volumes. The papers sent out to the students were all in the wrong language — it’s a real cock up! - The documents sent to students were in the wrong language - this complete failure! or I cocked up the orders for table # 4. - I messed up with the orders for the fourth table. Of course, we all understand which American expression replaces “cocked up” in this sentence. Yes, the “F” word is there.

Blinding. In fact, this does not refer to actual blindness or anything that would cause a person to lose sight. The English slang meaning here is quite positive. Blinding means magnificent, amazing or even excellent. That tackle from the Spanish player was blinding! - This tackle by the Spanish player was amazing!

Lost The Plot. Here, in principle, you can guess this way. “Lost the plot”, it seems, the words speak for themselves. But don't rush. In a more outdated meaning, the expression can mean a state of anger and/or anger due to some failure. In general, this is said when describing the actions of a person who behaves irrationally/unreasonably and/or outrageously. For example, When my mother-in-law saw the mess I’d made, she lost the plot. - When my mother-in-law saw the mess I made, she went crazy.

Cheers. It is said not only over a toast or when saying goodbye. In British slang, cheers also means the good old “thank you” or “thanks”. For example, Cheers for getting me that drink, Steve. - Thank you, that brought me a drink, Steve. You can also add I appreciate it! - I appreciate it. Or you don’t have to add it. In the eyes of the British, you will not fall without this phrase.

Ace. Not only does it mean an ace, but it also means something brilliant or magnificent. It can also mean an action when you have coped with something or passed something perfectly ( passed with flying colors). I think I aced that exam. - I think I passed that exam with flying colors.

Damp Squib. When something goes wrong “on all fronts.” Comes from the word squib- firecrackers, and their properties to misfire when they get wet or damp. The party was a bit of a damp squib because only Richard turned up. - There was a party not so hot because only Richard came.

All To Pot. It's like a dinosaur among the expressions of British slang, but nevertheless, it is still not petrified and moves. Means to lose control and fail. For example, The birthday party went all to pot when the clown showed up drunk and everyone was sick from that cheap cake. - The party has begun " merge”, when the clown appeared drunk on it and everyone began to feel sick from the cheap cake.

The Bee's Knees. Besides being the name of a popular cocktail made from gin, lemon and honey, it's also a pretty cute expression that can be used with or without sarcasm. It exists to describe someone or something that you think extremely highly of. For example, She thinks Barry's the bee's knees. - She thinks it's Barry the world has come together.

Chunder. It’s not a very melodic word (like thunder), and its meaning is the same. It means “to throw up,” in the sense of throwing up stuff or just feeling nauseous. Chunder is almost always used in reference to drunken nights out in clubs or other places of entertainment, and when someone is very sick and throwing up. I had a bad pizza last night after too many drinks and chundered in the street. - I ate bad pizza yesterday after I had too much alcohol, and I threw up on the street.

Taking The Piss. Given the British love for ridicule and satire always and everywhere, taking the piss is one of the most popular expressions in British slang. As you may have guessed, it means to ridicule, parody, or simply be sarcastic or even mocking about something. The guys on TV last night were taking the piss out of the government again. - The guys on TV made fun of the government again last night.

Fortnight. And how would you translate this? The British have this convenient expression, which includes 2 whole weeks at once, or half a month. It's much cooler to say fortnight than two weeks, isn't it? Sounds the same! I'm going away for a fortnight to Egypt for my summer vacation. - I'll go to Egypt for 2 weeks on your summer vacation.

Brass Monkeys. A rather strange and little-known slang term in England for extremely (bloody) cold weather. “What do copper monkeys have to do with it?” - you ask. In fact, the phrase comes from the expression “it’s cold enough to freeze the balls of a brass monkey.” In general, it means they have a bronze monument to a monkey there and weather in which even she can freeze something off. You need to wear a coat today, it’s brass monkeys outside. - You should wear a coat today, outside cold as hell.

Scrummy. One of the charming British terms on the list, used to describe something delicious and mouth-watering ( mouth-wateringly good). Mrs. Walker's cherry pie was absolutely scrummy. I had three pieces. - Mrs. Walker's cherry pie was just incomparable. I ate three pieces. By the way, cherry pie, in turn, translates as “easy money” or something easily accessible and attractive.

Kerfuffle. Another, again, quite used, although slightly outdated, slang term describing a fight ( skirmish), a fight or dispute caused by a difference of opinion. I had a right kerfuffle with my mate this morning over politics. - My friends and I had one just like that kipezh on politics this morning.

Skive. It is said that when someone wanted to feign illness so as not to go to work and the attempt failed. Mostly used in relation to schoolchildren who do not want to go to school, or dissatisfied office workers trying to pull off a scam with an unplanned vacation ( sick day- day of sick leave). He tried to skive for work but got caught by his manager. - He tried jump, but was caught by his manager. And now we call him “Mr. Bum Deal” - And now we call him “Mr. Bad Luck.”

In the video below there are a couple more slang words for general development.

Hampsteads- teeth. This is all.

Hunky-Dory. Such a nice slang-snack that means that the situation is in perfect order, everything is cool or just normal. If your boss, for example, decided to inquire about business over the phone, then you can safely “shoot” something like Ueah, everything’s hunky-dory at the office, Boss. - Yes, in the office everything in a bunch, Boss. And hang up. Of course, you will be promoted immediately after this.

Tosh. Quite an apt term if used skillfully. Means nonsense, nonsense, nonsense, I get along or just wildness. Americans would say crap or polite rubbish, but here only tosh rules. Funny word. You can, for example, go to London, go into the first pub you come across and immediately attract attention by telling someone: That’s a load of tosh about what happened last night! - It's all complete nonsense, about what happened last night! or Don't talk tosh! - Don't bother nonsense. Everyone will immediately understand that jokes with you are bad and will want to be friends with you. The main thing is to speak confidently and clearly.

Argy-bargy[,ɑ:rdʒi "bɑ:rdʒi] - dispute or fierce skirmish. I’m not interested in getting into an argy-bargy over it. - I'm not interested start an argument because of this.
Bang to rights- equivalent to " dead to rights" Take him red-handed, press him against the wall, grab him by the gills, catch him in the act. Police caught Jim bang to rights outside the bookie's. - Police caught Jim's at the crime scene outside the bookmaker's office.
Bants- abridged version " banter" It means good-naturedly joking, joking with friends or just acquaintances, exchanging jokes. I'm going to Nando's for some bants with the lads. - I'm going to Nando's (cafe) " yell" with boys.
Cuppa = « cup of" Usually translated as "cup of tea". But the word “tea” is not really needed here. Unless it's a cup of coffee, of course. In general, you need to clarify whether it is a cuppa of coffee or a cuppa of something else. Would you like a cuppa? - I'd love one. I'll get the kettle on. - Want to tea? - Yes with pleasure. I'll put the kettle on.
Chuffed- to be very pleased about something. Be beside yourself with joy or pleasure, so much so that you puff. Reginald was chuffed about the football match. - Reginald I was very pleased football match.
Conk- hit your nose or head. One more thing you can say bonk. Also translated as “fall asleep” or “pass out” ( conk out). He conked his head on the doorframe on his way out. - He hit my head on the door frame when leaving.
Corker- something or someone is cooler than others. A man with a great sense of humor, smart and interesting in all respects. This can be said about both a person and a machine, for example. Great job, Jim. You're a real corker. - Great job, Jim. You hammer.
Doofer- an object without a name. This thing. Such a thing as. What's her name? Well, this is the very thing... It is used instead of any forgotten name of some thing. Synonyms: thing, thingamajig, whatchamacallit. What is that doofer? - What's this? gizmo?

Fence- a trafficker who deals in stolen goods or trades in stolen goods. Take this watch to the fence and see what you can get. - Take these “boilers” to the distributor and find out what you can get for it.
Hard cheese- bad luck (bad luck), a bad deed or a deplorable situation.
The British also use this expression to tell someone “It’s your problem!”, showing that it doesn’t concern them and they don’t feel sorry for the victim.
Ivories["aɪv(ə)rɪs] - teeth, piano keys (used to be made of ivory) or just products made of ivory (for example, dice or billiard balls). He sure knows how to tickle the ivories. - He really “fumbles” like play the piano.
Knees up- fun informal party; drinking party On the night their exam results came out, they went down to the pub for a knees up. - On the night when the results of their exams became known, they went to the pub for drinking party.
Lag- a prisoner who has served a long term in prison or a long prison sentence. The old lag can’t find a job so he sits at the pub and drinks. -Old convict can't find a job, so he hangs out in the pub and drinks.
Laughing gear- verbatim laughing apparatus, laughing device. This, as you guessed, is nothing more than a very ordinary mouth. Shut your laughing gear, Reginald. - Close yours mouth, Reginald.

Marbles- intelligence, intelligence, ingenuity, balls (those in the head, which are sometimes “for the rollers”). Have you lost your marbles? - You crazy?
Miffed- upset or offended; offended; beside myself. It was so stupid when Taylor Swift was miffed at Amy Poehler and Tina Fey making fun of her. - It was so stupid when Taylor Swift offended at Aimee and Tina, who made fun of her.
Minted- to be in abundance, i.e. with the money. Bieber can buy whatever car he wants. He's minted. - Bieber can buy any car he wants. He at bubble.
Paddy["pædɪ] - a fit of anger, rage, or a shortened name for "Patrick", or an insult for the Irish. Don’t throw a paddy about your team losing. - Not get mad because of his team's loss.
Penny-dreadful- a low-grade adventure novel or magazine in a cheap edition, tabloid. I read about alien abductions in the penny-dreadful. - I read about alien abductions in tabloid.
Plonk- cheap wine (especially red) or the same port wine. Girls, a new episode of the Bachelorette is on tonight. I"ll print out the rules of the drinking game, you bring the plonk. - Girls, tonight there’s a new episode of The Bachelorette. I'll print out the rules of the game (with drinking), and you bring wine.
Rozzer["rɔzə] - policeman, cop. Oi mate, how"s the fockin" business going? -
- It"s bloody fockin" impossible with the fockin" rozzers on me fockin" back! - Hey bro, how's your fucking business going? - It's just fucking impossible, with these fucking cops, which bother me.
Rumpy-pumpy- sex, “shura-mury”, “shpil-vili”.

Sherbets- a foaming, carbonated sweet drink or powdered sweets. However, inviting someone to the pub for a couple of sorbets (powder for making drinks) does not mean inviting them to eat or drink sweets. In fact, this means “drinking foamy beer,” that is, beer. Perhaps the word got lost because of the beer foam. Do you fancy a few sherbets after work tonight? - Do not want pull a couple of foam after work in the evening? Ask someone " Do you fancy? this, as you understand, means “Are you willing?” For example: Fancy a fuck? - Maybe we can hook up?
Skint- broke, penniless. Sorry, I can’t join you this time. I'm skint. - Sorry, I can’t join you. I bankrupt.
Wag off- waste time, or skip. I had nothing to do but wag off at work. - I had nothing left to do but fool around At work.
Warts and all- equivalent to “as is”; despite the shortcomings. Alright, I'll keep you, wars and all. - Ok, I'll leave you despite the shortcomings.
Wazzock["wazək] - idiot, klutz. A person who urinates, vomits and masturbates at the same time. Something like this:(

That's it now. You are ready! You can safely go to England and make friends right on the streets. We hope that the article was useful and fun for you. Stay on top of things and don't let anything go wrong.

Big and friendly EnglishDom family

Currently, slang is a fairly common phenomenon present in colloquial speech.

Typically, slang is used to vividly express emotions and mood. The main feature of slang is that it completely violates all lexical and grammatical canons of the language.

It is necessary to be able to distinguish street slang from simple informal communication in order to know exactly where and what slang is appropriate.

Some linguists argue that slang is useful for the language itself. The fact is that with the help of slang expressions and phrases you can make the language truly vivid and describe those actions for which formal language is not suitable. Naturally, slang is not used in business and formal communication, as well as in correspondence.

Understanding slang

As a rule, it is quite difficult for a person to understand English slang, since it is built on idioms, the meaning of which must be known. Separately, slang words can be understood without problems. But in combination with each other they have a different meaning that does not correspond to the literal translation.

If you decide to use slang expressions in your speech, keep in mind that they may be offensive to the interlocutor. Therefore, you should think carefully before using this or that slang expression. But despite this, slang is widespread in the speech of ordinary English-speaking citizens. To fully communicate with native speakers and understand their speech, you must understand slang and know its translation.

Today there is an English slang dictionary in which you can find a variety of slang phrases. It is very comfortable. Opposite the slang expression is always “rude"if the slang expresses an insult or is a rude expression.

Add stable expressions from English slang to your vocabulary to make your speech easier and more natural and better understand native speakers.

Some slang expressions in English

Props- respect, recognition, synonymous with the word respect.
I want to give them props, they have helped me a lot. (I want to express my gratitude to them, they helped me a lot).
Kudos- respect, recognition, another synonym for the word respect.
Kudos for organizing this concert. It was awesome! (Respect for organizing the concert. It was amazing!)
To mess about/around- relax and enjoy idleness. Mess about is the British version, mess around is the American version.

- Wanna go mess about on the beach? (Do you want to go laze on the beach?)
- Yes, let’s go! (Let's go).

Stop messing around! It's really important for me! (Stop being a fool! This is really important to me!)
Sweet- in slang meaning, a synonym for the words awesome, nice, beautiful (amazing, sweet, beautiful.) Often pronounced with a long “and” - sweeeet!
Your performance was great! You're so sweet! (Your performance was wonderful! You are so cool!)
My bad/It's all good
My badis an apology in a very informal manner. Suitable for trivial matters, but not for serious situations.
It's all good- a typical response to “my bad”. It means everything is fine and there is no need to worry.
– Is there my juice? (Where's my juice?)
– My bad, I drank it in the morning. (Sorry, I drank it this morning.)
– It’s all good, I am going to the shop now. (Come on, I'm going to the store now.)
Take It Easy- relax (in a situation when a person is worried, nervous, in a hurry or angry.) This phrase can also be used to say goodbye to friends.
Take it easy, guys. I'll solve this problem. (Relax, guys. I'll solve this problem.)

Keep It Real- an interesting phrase that means to be yourself and not try to seem like someone you are not, under the pressure of society and other people's opinions.
Keep it real, bro. Do what you love, and everything will be ok. (Be yourself, bro. Do what you love and everything will be ok).
Dude- dude
Hey what's up dude? (Hey, what's up, man?)
Dudes, let's go to the bar tonight. (Dudes, let's go to the bar tonight).
Mate- friend (synonym buddy, dude)
Mate, I’m so glad to see you again! (Friend, I'm so glad to see you again!)
Mate, you’re the kindest person I know. (Friend, you are the kindest person I know.)
Blinding- dazzling, brilliant.
This performance was blinding! (This performance was brilliant!)
Ace- cool, cool.
To ace- to achieve something easily and completely.
Ace! We got it! (Cool! We did it!)
Unreal- unreal, in the sense of incredibly cool, magnificent.
I love this place, it’s just unreal! (I love this place, it's just unreal!)
Dig- I really, really like it.
I dig your new style. Where did you buy these sneakers? (I really like your new style. Where did you buy those sneakers?)
Smashing- amazing
I had a smashing time at the weekend! (I had a great time over the weekend!)
Cheers!- universal toast (Salute! Hurray!)
Cheers! Happy birthday to Nick! (Hurray! Happy birthday, Nick!)
Jolly- Very.
This cake is jolly good! (This cake is very good!)
Not my cup of tea- I don’t like it, I don’t find it interesting.
I don't like this music. It’s not my cup of tea. (I don't like this music. It's not to my taste.)
To be into- to be interested in, love or enjoy something. The phrase is often used in reference to hobbies or fashion trends.
I am really into drawing now. (I'm really into drawing now.)
Grab- grab, collect something in a hurry.
Hurry up! Grab your backpack and let’s go! (Hurry up! Grab your backpack and let's go!)

Another meaning is to impress, to attract attention.

– How did the movie grab you? (How do you like this movie?)
– It was amazing! (It's great!)
Hangover- hangover.
Sam can’t play football today. He has a hangover. (Sam can't play football today. He has a hangover.)
Drop by/Drop in- to drop in, to visit someone for a short time.
Jane, can I drop in after work to give you back your book? (Jane, can I come by after work to return your book?)
YOLO- You Only Live Once. (You only live once.) Often used when someone wants to do something dangerous, strange, adventurous.)
Let's go surfing to Bali, friends! YOLO! (Let's go surfing in Bali, friends! You only live once!)
Whatever- I don’t care, so what, whatever. Can be used in a positive, relaxed format or to emphasize indifference.
You can eat whatever we like. (You can eat whatever you want).
She was right, but whatever! (She was right, so what!)
Swag– cool (person), cool style.
That guy has swag. (This guy is cool).
Turn my swag on. (Rate my style).

English slang makes speech more lively and relaxed. But such colloquial vocabulary is very emotional, so you need to be sensitive to where and when it can be used.

English slang is mainly spread by teenagers, as in any country and in any other language. So, if we want to keep up with the times, our task is to listen to teenage jargon.

Not all dictionaries offer translations of these buzzwords. However, they often slip into stories, movies, social networks and other media.

Where can you hear English slang?

Technology helps spread new trends in language, especially when it comes to teen slang. You would have to spend a lot of time talking to teenagers to understand all the new English slang.

And then, you have to be very lucky to hear this slang in the conversation of teenagers, since they do not talk like that with adults, most of them would die of embarrassment if adults spoke like that to them.

Popularity -ism This is explained by the fact that people like to invent new words to add humorous notes to their speech. For example, if your friend Sarah always uses the same expression when she's happy, you could call that expression "Sarah-ism".

Connected to each other by social networks, teenagers are quickly spreading their slang around the world. They are always at the forefront, language and jargon are no exception. A language cannot move forward without culture and without teenagers who are just completely - on point(simply perfect) broadcast English slang around the globe.

Below are some examples of the best slang expressions used by teens in both conversations and text messages. More words can be found on the website Urbandictionary.com.

So, English slang used by teenagers in 2016.

On Point

This slang expression means something well made, of high quality, impeccable. The expression may come from the ballet word for standing "on pointe", or on the tips of your toes.

On Fleek

Just like the previous one, this term is another way to describe something very close to perfection, especially, of course, in the eyes of teenagers. You can also use fleekin or fleeking .

Basic

This adjective is used to describe something typical, ordinary, or ordinary. Suitable for describing the appearance of girls and women.

Obvi

Maybe once in a store you heard teenagers talking and thought: “can they really speak English?” Well yes, it is! And “obvi”, which you didn’t understand, is a lazy option from obviously.

Turnt

This expression can be used as a verb and as an adjective. Turn up used as a verb. Turnt it is an adjective form. This means being intoxicated after using drugs or alcohol. Of course, this is not a guide to action, but knowing when people talk about it can be useful.

Bye Felicia

Probably the least polite teen slang term of the year. When someone says they are leaving and you don't care at all, their name becomes Felicia . Where it came from is unknown. It is also used when someone wants to get rid of someone who is annoying them.

TVN

The English slang discussed above is used mainly in conversations. There are just as many abbreviations used when sending text messages. One of them tbh - “to be honest” (Honestly) . Similar expression - "to be fair" , which means in fairness.

Bae

This term can mean a compound from the first letters " before anyone else " (before anyone else), but it could also just be a shortened version of the word babe (chit). You can call your boyfriend, girlfriend or spouse this way.

Slay

If you have succeeded in something incredibly amazing, you have earned the term. This means being the best of the best. If you are the best, you slay . If you did something really well, then you slid . Other similar terms − killed it, badass.

You can hear slay many, many times in Beyoncé's newest hit "Formation."

Zero Chill

It would be nice to never hear this expression addressed to you. It means that you did something uncool or not very popular.

You can see that there is a connection between teenage slang and modern life. According to the site noslang.com Internet slang and acronyms like LOL were created as an attempt to save effort on keystrokes.

New English slang comes from a variety of sources, including bulletin boards, forums, chat rooms, email, and text messaging. Teenagers tend to speak coded language. But to us their jargon became more obvi than before we are now on fleek, language learning experts.

Michelle Suzanne Snyder