English Words

9.3
SLANG
SLANG is the term used to describe a variety of language with informal, often faddy, non-standard
vocabulary. Slang is a major source of new words (often with a very limited life expectancy). In many cases
it involves the use of standard forms in a new and non-standard way.
According to Partridge (1933), there at least fifteen good reasons for using slang. They include the desire
to experiment with using language ‘poetically’ or creatively, for pleasure; the desire to be secretive; the
desire to be expressive; the desire to use language as a badge of group membership so as to express
intimacy with those inside the group and to exclude those who are not (technical jargon also does this job);
to indicate that one is casual and relaxed etc. In the next few paragraphs we will consider examples of these
uses of slang.
Let us start with the language of insults, which is very rich in expressive slang. An idiot may be called
any one of these colourful names:
[9.1]
oaf, balloon, jerk, plonker, pledger, flake (USA)
wally, nerd, dope, goof, gwot (USA), bampot (Glasgow)
British prison life is also rich in slang which serves to create a feeling of solidarity in adverse
circumstances. For instance, a prisoner may tell his mates how he was arrested by the filth (i.e. detectives)
while doing a job (i.e. robbery). He may tell them how he hates being locked up in this nick (i.e. prison) by
those horrible screws (i.e. gaolers). He may refer to his imprisonment variously as:
[9.2]
porridge, stretch, time, bird
Visits to the toilet are as embarrassing as they are necessary. A lot of slang terms have been developed
for speakers to cover up their embarrassment. Just think of your favourite term for the lavatory. Is it one of
these?
[9.3]
lav, altar, bog, John, lavvy, loo, throne, little boys’ room, little girls’ room, little office
If I have left out your preferred word, add it to the list.
In some working-class communities there is a well-established tradition of RHYMING SLANG which
serves both the poetic function and the solidarity-with-the-in-group function.
Cockney rhyming slang is probably the best known. Here are some examples:
[9.4]
Standard word
Slang
wife
joy of my life
storm and strife
worry and strife
114 WORDS GALORE

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Standard word
Slang
trouble and strife
carving-knife
drum and fife
(based on Franklin 1960)
Some rhyming slang words, like those listed above, are well established and can be listed in a dictionary
of slang. But many others are nonce words made up on the spur of the moment and are specific to a
particular context. Such words are only interpretable if one has the necessary contextual clues.