What does "slang" mean?

1. (informal language) very informal words and phrases that are more common in speech than in writing. 2. (group-specific jargon) special words used by a particular group of people, like doctors or computer experts. 3. (to sell drugs) to sell something, especially illegal drugs, on the street.

How do you use "slang"?

Usually uncountable when referring to the language style in general. Transitive verb often used in Multicultural London English (MLE).

Is it correct to say "He used many slangs in his essay."?

No — say "He used a lot of slang in his essay.". In general usage, 'slang' is usually uncountable. To count it, use 'slang words' or 'slang expressions'.

slang

n. · v.

US //ˈsɫæŋ// UK //slˈæŋ// slang

1 informal language (n.)
B1 Intermediate Informal

very informal words and phrases that are more common in speech than in writing.

informal language consisting of words and expressions that are not considered standard in the speaker's dialect or polite society.

Example

The teenagers used so much modern slang that their parents couldn't understand them.

Example

While slang often originates in subcultures, it frequently migrates into the general lexicon through social media and popular music.

Usage

Usually uncountable when referring to the language style in general.
- colloquialism
- informalism
- formalism
- standard english
Pitfall

He used many slangs in his essay.

He used a lot of slang in his essay.

In general usage, 'slang' is usually uncountable. To count it, use 'slang words' or 'slang expressions'.
2 group-specific jargon (n.)
B2 Upper Intermediate

special words used by a particular group of people, like doctors or computer experts.

the specialized vocabulary or jargon used by a particular profession, social group, or subculture.

Example

Medical slang allows doctors to communicate quickly during an emergency.

Example

The sailors had their own unique slang for different types of weather, which was largely unintelligible to those living inland.
- jargon
- cant
- argot

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3 to sell drugs (v.)
C2 Proficiency Slang British English

to sell something, especially illegal drugs, on the street.

to engage in the illicit sale of goods, particularly narcotics, within an urban or street context.

Example

The movie shows how young men were recruited to slang on the corner.

Example

The lyrics depict the harsh realities of those forced to slang in order to survive in neglected urban environments.

Usage

Transitive verb often used in Multicultural London English (MLE).

Teacher's tip

This is a very specific, high-level slang term found in modern British urban dialects; learners should recognize it but avoid using it in most contexts.

Etymology 1

First use appears c. 1756, meaning "special vocabulary of tramps or thieves", origin unknown. Not believed to be connected with language or lingo. Possibly derived from a North Germanic source, then possibly related to Nordic language: Danish slænge, Icelandic and Norwegian Nynorsk slengja, Norwegian slenge, Swedish slänga (“to (carelessly) sling, throw, hurl; throw away, to dispose of; to flail”), with derivational nouns such as slæng, sleng, släng etc. Compare the compound: Danish slængenavn, Norwegian slengenavn, Norwegian Nynorsk slengenamn, Swedish slängnamn (“nickname, byname, informal name”, literally “sling-name”), and the phrases: Norwegian Nynorsk slengja kjeften, Swedish slänga käften (“to abuse verbally”, literally “to sling one's jowl”), Swedish slänga ur sig (“to say something hastily, carelessly, thoughtlessly”, literally “to throw out of oneself”), also Swedish (regional) slänga (“careless, nonchalant girl”, literally “sling + feminine suffix -a”).

Etymology 2

Compare sling.

Etymology 3

The same as sling which is also used in this sense. The vowel exhibits the lowering of /ɪ/ before /ŋ/ distinguishing for African American Vernacular English, as in thang for thing, but the word has spread with this pronunciation outside the accents that exhibit this feature.