What Are Slang Words and How Do They Change Over Time?

Slang words are informal words or phrases used by people in everyday conversations. They are often created by groups of people, such as teenagers or communities, to express ideas in a new or unique way. For example, saying "cool" to mean something is great or impressive is a common slang term.

People use slang to connect with others in their age group or social circle. It helps them express themselves more casually and feel like they belong to a particular group. Slang can also change quickly. What’s popular today might not be used in a few years. For instance, words like "lit" or "YOLO" were very popular a few years ago but might not be as common now.

Language adapts and evolves over time. New slang words come and go, and old ones sometimes make a comeback. This happens because language is always changing as society and culture change. People always find new ways to communicate their feelings and ideas.

In summary, slang words help people express themselves in a more personal and informal way. As time goes on, these words and phrases can change, reflecting the ever-evolving nature of language.

Take a look at the list of slang words below and understand how they work.

·  Bail
Meaning: To leave abruptly or cancel plans.
Example: "Sorry, I have to bail on the party tonight; something came up."

·  Cool
Meaning: Impressive or acceptable.
Example: "That new movie was really cool!"

·  FOMO
Meaning: Fear of Missing Out; anxiety about missing out on something.
Example: "I’m going to the concert because I have major FOMO about missing it."

·  Ghost
Meaning: To suddenly cut off all communication with someone.
Example: "We went on a few dates, and then he just ghosted me."

·  Lit
Meaning: Exciting or excellent; used to describe a fun event or situation.
Example: "The party last night was so lit!"

·  Salty
Meaning: Annoyed or upset.
Example: "She’s still salty about not getting the promotion."

·  Savage
Meaning: Bold or fierce; can also mean someone who is unapologetically direct.
Example: "Did you see how she shut down that argument? So savage!"

·  Shade
Meaning: Subtle or indirect criticism.
Example: "She threw some serious shade at her ex during the interview."

·  Squad
Meaning: A group of friends or associates.
Example: "I’m hanging out with my squad this weekend."

·  Throw Shade
Meaning: To subtly criticize or insult someone.
Example: "He’s always throwing shade at people who don’t agree with him."

·  Troll
Meaning: To post inflammatory or provocative comments online to provoke reactions.
Example: "Ignore the troll; they’re just trying to start a fight."

·  Vibe
Meaning: The atmosphere or feeling of a place or situation.
Example: "I love the vibe of this café; it’s so relaxing."

·  Woke
Meaning: Being socially aware and conscious of social justice issues.
Example: "She’s really woke; she always educates others on social issues."

·  YOLO
Meaning: You Only Live Once; used to justify taking risks.
Example: "I’m going to book that trip to Europe. YOLO, right?"

·  Binge-Watch
Meaning: To watch multiple episodes of a TV show in one sitting.
Example: "I spent the whole weekend binge-watching that new series."

·  Hyped
Meaning: Excited or enthusiastic about something.
Example: "I’m so hyped for the new video game release!"

·  On Fleek
Meaning: Perfectly executed or styled.
Example: "Her eyebrows are always on fleek."

·  Clout
Meaning: Influence or power, often in social media contexts.
Example: "He’s only friends with them for the clout."

·  Flex
Meaning: To show off or boast about something.
Example: "Stop flexing your new car; we get it, it’s nice."

·  Lit
Meaning: Great, exciting, or enjoyable.
Example: "That concert was so lit; the energy was amazing!"