About
This Dictionary
What
is 'slang'?
Slang
is very hard to define. However, one of the best definitions I found
during my research was from the wonders that be at the Oxford English
Dictionary H.Q:
'Language
of a highly colloquial type, considered as below the level of standard
educated speech, and consisting either of new words or of current words
employed in some special sense.'
From
this and my research I would suggest therefore that, in its most basic
sense, Slang is...
A
"subculture" of spoken language; colloquial ('Of words,
phrases, etc.: Belonging to common speech' OED) and considered
inappropriate for formal conversation.
A
vocabulary often restricted to a specific group of users.
Ever
changing in accordance with emerging trends and influences.
Why study slang?
One
of the earliest known slang dictionaries was A Classical Dictionary
of the Vulgar Tongue written in 1785 by Francis Grose. Since then
many slang lexicographers ('a writer or compiler of dictionaries' OED) have been fascinated by slang. But why? In my view, by
studying the language used by a specific group we can identify and
attempt to understand the users themselves. It informs us of the culture
shaping the language in use, whether influenced by geography, gender,
politics, race, age, interests or sexuality.
I
chose to study the slang used by students aged 18-22 from varying parts
of the United Kingdom but who attend the University of Leicester (MAP).
Student life is unique and so the language produced within that
environment is often as unique. Furthermore,
I have attended the university for three years and in that time I have
picked up a variety of terms from friends and fellow
students. As I am already part of the social group I was therefore
able to observe and monitor the slang being used without influencing the
results.
What did I find?
Whilst
some of the terms collated during my study are specific to
certain Leicester University students (e.g. 'spackarised') the majority
of terms would, I suspect, be understood in many other universities
nationwide. After all, the students at Leicester have gathered
there, as at other universities, from all around the country. As a
result university student slang is influenced by the slang of young
people nationwide.
At
first sight some of the words may not seem to be slang. They are common
words, words many of us have heard before. But look at the definitions!
The meanings of the words are not always those of the original or indeed that
of previous generations. For example 'lose the plot' suggests being
confused or muddled to most people. To some Leicester students however, it
means to get angry or annoyed. But there lies the fascination of slang!
In the use of slang you can see the true development of language.
Unfortunately,
for my fellow students and I, the majority of the terms illustrate that
we, on the whole, live up to the stereotype of being distracted from
studying by conversations of alcohol, physical appearance, sex,
sexuality and name calling. You may find it interesting to know that of
the total 105 terms collected:
81.9%
related to the discussion of other people, including comments on
appearance, sexuality and behaviour.
18.3%
were insulting to some extent.
Of the total terms collected:
--- 9.6% were completely derogatory (e.g. 'fugly').
--- 11.5% were meant as friendly insults (e.g. 'pillock').
--- 8.7% could be used as both derogatory and friendly insults (e.g.
'loser').
13.5%
of the total terms were disapproving comments compared to only 6.8%
that were approvals.
10.6%
of the total terms
were related to sexuality or sex (e.g. 'gay' or 'cop a feel').
15.4%
of the total terms related to food, alcohol, drugs or socialising.
0%
(not a single term!) related to work or academic study! Tut tut!
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