Slang is a type of language that consists of words, and phrases, that are regarded as very informal.
9
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2answers
349 views
Origin of “for the birds” (Trivial; worthless; only of interest to gullible people.)
I really have looked, but the best I can come up with is this
To say that something is "for the birds" is to call it horse manure. Dating from the days of horse-drawn traffic, the expression is ...
3
votes
3answers
226 views
Is “ain’t” slang, or is it colloquial instead?
Does using the word ain’t in a song make it slang, whereas using it in a speech make it colloquial?
4
votes
5answers
297 views
Was there textspeak before texting?
2b |! 2b, < = ?
With such a rich history of inventive writing and puns, it seemed bizarre to me that the idea of writing in txtspk would be a new one. I found a brief degree of truncation in ...
1
vote
2answers
162 views
Explanation for “them's”
Recently someone said to me:
Them's the rules
I thought he had the sentence wrong, but as it turns out it is slang. I am learning English as a second language and I would really appreciate if ...
0
votes
2answers
246 views
What do you call the main telephone number?
I understand that someone's work phone might have an extension. What do you call the main number of that office, which would normally be answered by an operator or a computer voice system?
Would it ...
6
votes
3answers
193 views
Origin and scope of “cruft”
I just had to look up "cruft" (jargon for software or hardware that is of poor quality), as used in a comment to an earlier question.
But I can't find any details of etymology, and I don't know how ...
1
vote
1answer
126 views
A single word for “blind” and “slow on the uptake” [closed]
We have a word tiomny in Russian which has the meanings blind, dim, and dumb. Is there a word (possibly slang) in American English which is as close in meaning to both blind and slow on the uptake?
-2
votes
1answer
976 views
The meaning of “What's she gonna look like with a chimney on her” [closed]
Title - Feel It
Artist - The Tamperer ft. Maya
You got it on the side
A little one night thing
I thought it over and this time I will forgive you
Well I'm not letting go
But don't forget ...
5
votes
3answers
323 views
Reflexive love: where does “love me some …” come from?
It seems trendy to use a reflexive-like construction with love or hate plus some, like this:
You know I love me some cheese!
I hate me some cold and the temperature is dropping.
Where did this ...
13
votes
2answers
735 views
“I'm on the brew”
A conversation between two Scots:
— What do you do for a living?
— I'm on the brew.
Assuming that I have the phrase right, what exactly does "on the brew" mean here? Based on the context, I ...
3
votes
1answer
8k views
Nerd vs. Geek vs. Dork [duplicate]
Possible Duplicate:
Which term correctly identifies those who enjoy programming/technology: “geek” or “nerd”?
I'm somewhat perplexed on the usages of these terms. Most references appear an ...
-1
votes
2answers
122 views
Human verbs for things - bad style? [closed]
In writing on an academic topic concerned with IT systems and business stuff, my aim is to write with active formulations which liven the text. But I'm noticing that I tend to use human verbs for ...
0
votes
1answer
199 views
86 it ! using 86 as a verb [duplicate]
Possible Duplicate:
What does the term “86’d” relate to?
I found that you can say "86 something" as a verb when we want to "cancel" something...
Is it used for everything??
For example, ...
4
votes
2answers
350 views
Why abbreviation for “Definition” as “Def^n” (math context)
I've seen in math and physics lectures delivered in English, that people use to abreviate the commonly very used word "Definition" by "Def n"(Def superscript n). What's the meaning of this n? That is, ...
9
votes
4answers
1k views
Meaning and acceptability of “One fifty” when speaking of dollars
I was watching Errol Morris' ‘11 Excellent Reasons Not to Vote?’. At some point, the dialog goes this way:
― If I could sell my vote, I probably would.
― How much?
― How much? Psssh... ...
6
votes
2answers
675 views
Why is a black eye called a “shiner”?
I saw a photograph of Chris Robshaw, the Harlequins captain, in the paper yesterday sporting a magnificent shiner, and naturally started to wonder where the term originated.
Consulting Etymonline ...
6
votes
1answer
573 views
I have questions coming out the yin-yang about yin-yang phrases!
Yin Yang is the Chinese philosophy of Light and Shadow, often signifying the need for balance or that everything exists in balance.
But the (reasonably enjoyable to use) phrase
Up the Ying Yang
...
-2
votes
1answer
173 views
Is it derogatory to call user a punter?
I've been wondering whether it is somewhat derogatory to call a user a punter. For instance,
We should encourage punters to participate in the discussions.
Update: My apologies — I owe you an ...
6
votes
4answers
433 views
“Muppet” in American English
I see an event is being organised in Washington, DC, called the Million Muppet March. In British English (at least) a muppet has no very positive a connotation:-
muppet (ˈmʌpɪt) — n slang ...
4
votes
3answers
187 views
Meaning of the phrase “hacked by someone” — but not in context of computers
What does it mean when a girl says that she "hasn't been hacked [by a boy]"? Dictionaries give us only computer-related meanings of "hack"; does it have any other meaning?
4
votes
1answer
158 views
Substituting special characters or numerals for letters/word parts
Is there a word or phrase to describe a substituting a dingbat, special character or number for a letter or portion of a word?
Examples:
The Chicago Bulls successfully achieved a 3peat.
"In ...
3
votes
2answers
156 views
Has “Fat Belt” been established as a metonymy for the Midwest? Doesn’t it sound derogatory to the Midwesterners?
I found the word, “Fat Belt” in the headline of the article in Time magazine (October 11 issues), titled “Salad restaurant chains sprouting up even in the ‘Fat Belt.’” The article reads:
“Salad ...
2
votes
1answer
185 views
What does it mean “to rock a coat”?
What does it mean "to rock a coat"? Does it mean to wear it?
Still rocking my J Crew navy peacoat. Thing is warm as f-k.
Zara-man coat I bought in Copenhagen in 2008. Still rocking it, still ...
2
votes
3answers
252 views
Origin of word “xfered” [duplicate]
Possible Duplicate:
Why do some words have “X” as a substitute?
I came upon the word "xfered" recently. From what I gather, it means "transferred", and I believe it is used in ...
9
votes
4answers
551 views
Why does “klick” mean kilometer in US military slang?
Wiktionary says it is either likely a pseudo-condensed pronunciation of kilometer or onomatopoeic of the sound of a military odometer.
Though kilometers are not commonly used to measure distance ...
-4
votes
1answer
216 views
What is the origin of the nickname “Money Making Manhattan”? [closed]
What is the origin of the nickname "Money Making Manhattan" for the borough of Manhattan in New York City?
0
votes
5answers
308 views
Is there a word to describe the unintelligent/streety way some people talk? [closed]
This type of communication frequently leaves the 'g' off the end of words. "Talking" becomes "talkin'".
Also, it combines certain small phrases into one. "What's that?" becomes "Wuzzat?"
The best ...
2
votes
4answers
244 views
Simple word/ slang for “Re-share a content”
I need a simple(commonly used/known) word or short slang(2 words max.) which means to re-share a piece of information with your network of friends.
Something just like "Share" on social networks.
...
3
votes
1answer
309 views
proper way to write the slang term for “gravitational force”
I came across something very similar to this in a thriller novel:
At this stage, the rocket is experiencing its maximum acceleration, say about ten gees.
Here, the author has spelled out the ...
8
votes
2answers
135 views
Etymology of “catch a bosso”
Reading Look to the Lady, by Margery Allingham, I came across the apparent slang "catch a bosso," used by Lugg, the Cockney manservant, at the beginning of Chapter 6:
As soon as I caught a bosso ...
9
votes
2answers
208 views
Etymology of “ruggit”?
I did something stupid yesterday. "What a ruggit", I said to myself, meaning a stupid person. It occurred to me I hadn't heard the word for a while, so I looked it up, and found this source here
...
0
votes
1answer
312 views
“Pain in the neck” and similar expressions [closed]
Are there any other expressions equivalent in meaning to "pain in the neck" that mention another part of the body (e.g, "pain in the ass")?
How would you rate each of those expressions (including the ...
2
votes
3answers
314 views
Origin of using “clocked” to mean “noticed”
The word "clocked" can be used to mean "noticed", as in:
Bob: I'm gonna park here a minute. Did you see any traffic wardens
about.
Geoff: Actually, I clocked one down the road on my way up.
...
0
votes
2answers
319 views
Phrase for expressing victory and teasing the opponent [closed]
I'm looking for a slang term that can be used when someone has defeated their opponent and the opponent is speechless and gave up the challenge. So he might want to to brag about how weak the opponent ...
0
votes
2answers
265 views
How long is “in a second”? [closed]
When someone says "give me a second", or "one second please", how long do they actually mean?
Do they mean "will give you a response as soon as I can", or "in a short time, around 5 minutes"
5
votes
1answer
298 views
Why do we say a check “bounced”?
A "bounced check" is a check that cannot be processed by the bank because the party who wrote the check has insufficient funds to cover the amount of the check. (To my understanding it is a non-formal ...
0
votes
1answer
350 views
“sit back and relax” vs. “kick back and relax”? [duplicate]
Possible Duplicate:
Why 'kick back' can mean 'get relaxed'?
I have seen so many times "Sit back and relax" while installing softwares. I understand that it means it will ...
15
votes
5answers
1k views
The use of “hey” in North America
Having had my formative years in New Zealand, I was born in South Africa. I vaguely recall when I was VERY young having someone tell me when I said "hey" that "hay is what horses eat".
I got that ...
6
votes
4answers
3k views
Origin of current slang usage of the word 'sick' to mean 'great'? [duplicate]
Possible Duplicate:
How and why have some words changed to a complete opposite?
How did 'sick' come to mean 'awesome' or 'really good / cool' in modern U.S. slang? I'm interested in origins ...
3
votes
1answer
431 views
Where do East End / Gangster slang terms for numbers relating to money originate?
Words like 'monkey', 'pony', 'ton' and so on are used by East End villains and Cockneys to denote numbers - ton is one hundred for example. Examples abound in popular culture (The Krays, Only Fools ...
4
votes
2answers
174 views
Is there any connection between Polari and Nadsat?
While reading the Wikipedia article on Polari, I was struck by the similarities between Polari words and these used by the Droogies in Clockwork Orange. Does anyone know if there are any links between ...
3
votes
3answers
720 views
What does “and then some” mean and why is it used that way?
It seems that a good explanation of "and then some" is:
http://www.thefreedictionary.com/and+then+some
and then some
(Informal) With considerably more in addition: This
project will take ...
9
votes
5answers
827 views
Etymology of “to be like” meaning “to say”
It seems that "to be like" is an informal phrase for "to say". E.g.
She was so angry, she was like "I'm breaking up with you", and I was like "I'm sorry", and she was like "Go away".
Is this a ...
10
votes
3answers
2k views
Are the terms “welsh” or “welch” (as in reneging on a bet) derogatory toward the Welsh people?
From the casual research I've done, it's assumed to be offensive (like "gyp" for Gypsies), but I've not found anything definitive. I'm also curious when it first entered the language with this ...
2
votes
2answers
1k views
Is there a definitive spelling for the shortened version of “as per usual”?
A shortened version of the phrase “as per usual” is now used as slang when referring to something that is typical or expected, often in an exaggerated or hyperbolic manner. For example:
Bill: ...
3
votes
1answer
462 views
What does “I'll kill that cat” in the play Dinner for One mean?
In the play Dinner for One, James the butler says, "I'll kill that cat," at time 14:05. What does this mean? Is he referring to the tiger rug which keeps tripping him, or is it a saying or ...
3
votes
2answers
847 views
Etymology of 'ends' or 'the ends' and other current British/London slang
I'd like to know more about how 'ends' came to mean 'hometown' in current London slang. I have heard it used to mean money, which is an extension of mainstream use - means to an end, for one's own ...
1
vote
2answers
88 views
What is a “Dublin Castle Knight”?
I was reading Surtees' Young Tom Hall the other day, and came across this...
Sir Thomas, whose father had been a great army tailor, was a Dublin
Castle knight, but, like all truly great men, ...
4
votes
4answers
637 views
What does the word “hacking” or “hacker” come from? [closed]
Is there a history behind the word "hacker" and "hacking"?
Could it have anything to do with "hashing" i.e. using a hash function?
3
votes
4answers
523 views
Meaning of “being sold as a silver-bullet”
I was reading an article about software developers and read that something is being sold as a silver-bullet. What does it mean?
