How to learn English slang and whether you need to know it. Modern slang of teenagers: meaning and influence on speech

Has this ever happened to you?

Your friend asks: "Hey, what's up?"

You answer: "Um, the sky?"

A friend asked how things were going, but how could you guess?

This is real life colloquial language. It is called English slang.

A language that is not taught in ESL classes.

AWESOME

Awesome(adjective) is a popular slang word in English around the world. You will hear it from any person, from a young man to an old man. When to use the word awesome express surprise or admiration. It can be used in a sentence, or as a one-word answer.

Example 1:

« What did you think of Wolf on Wall Street? What did you think of The Wolf on Wall Street? »
"It was awesome! I loved it! » (He thinks it's a great movie).

Example 2:

« I’ll pick you up at 1 pm, okay? I'll pick you up at one o'clock, okay? »
« Awesome.» (Here the answer shows that you liked the idea and agreed).

Example 3:

"My friend Dave is an awesome single guy. You guys would be perfect for each other! My friend Dave wonderful bachelor. You would be perfect for each other! »
“Really? I'd love to meet him. Indeed? I'd like to meet him. »

COOL

Cool(adjective) - like awesome means “wonderful/cool” or “fantastic”. The word also shows that you agreed with the proposal. But it should be remembered that the traditional meaning of the word cool- cool. You need to put it in context to understand what it's all about.

Example 1:

« How's the weather in Canada these days? What's the weather like in Canada these days? »
"It's getting cooler. Winter's coming!(Here in the literal meaning that it got colder).

Example 2:

« What did you think of my new boyfriend? What do you think of my new friend? »
« I liked him. He seemed like a cool guy!» (He looks handsome).

Example 3:

« I’m throwing a party next week for my birthday. Do you want to come? I'm throwing a party for my birthday next week. Will you come to congratulate me? »
« Cool! Sure, I'd love to!»

To be beat

To be beat(adjective). In normal context beat means "to win": Manchester United beat Liverpool (about football teams); or “beat”: Marko, stop beating your brother. But in slang or spoken English the meaning is completely different. If you hear a friend say “I’m beat“ means very tired or exhausted.

Example 1:

« Do you want to go out tonight? There’s a cool new rock bar that’s just opened! Do you want to take a walk in the evening? A new one has opened cool rock bar. »
« Sorry, I can't. I'm beat and I have to wake up early tomorrow. Sorry, I can not. I'm tired and have to get up early tomorrow morning ».

Example 2:

"Y ou look beat, what have you been doing? You look tired, What did you do? »
« I’ve been helping my dad in the yard all morning. I helped my dad with housework the whole morning ».

To hang out

To hang out(verb). If they ask where you usually hang out ( where you usually relax), then they want to know where you prefer to spend your free time. And if friends ask, do you want to hang out with us?, this means whether you are free and want to spend time together. When you ask your comrades what they are doing, and they answer - hanging out, which means they are free and not doing anything special.

Example 1:

« Hey, it's great to see you again. Hey, I'm glad to see you again ».
« And you. We must hang out sometime. Me too. We have to relax somehow ».
"I would love that. I'll call you soon. It will be wonderful. I will call you ».

Example 2:

« Paulo, where do you usually hang out on a Friday night? Paul where you love spend time on Friday evenings? »
« If I’m not working, usually at the diner across the road from school. If you've already finished work, usually at the diner across from the school ».
« Cool, I’ve been there a few times. Cool , I've been there several times ».

Example 3:

« Hi Simon, what are you doing? Hi Simon, what are you doing? »
« Nothing much, just hanging out with Sally. Nothing special, just chilling with Sally ». The only word you can use here is hanging, without out, and talk : « Nothing much, just hanging with Sally.».

But if the expression is used as a noun, it refers to the place where you spend your free time.

Example 4:

« Joey, where are you guys? Joe, where are you guys? »
« We're at our usual hang out. Come down whenever you want! We are in our usual place. Come whenever you want! » (This could mean at their favorite cafe, at the gym, or even at the park).

To chill out

To chill out(verb). Everyone likes it to chill out, which means just relax. As a rule, it is combined with “out”, but can be used without it. If you talk to English speakers, they will definitely understand.

Example 1:

« Hey Tommy, what are you guys doing? Hey Tommy, what are you guys doing? »
« We're just chilling (out). Do you want to come round? Just let's rest. Do you want to come? »

Example 2:

« Sue, what did you do in the weekend? Sue, what did you do this weekend? »
« Nothing much. We just chilled (out). Nothing special. Just relaxing ».

But if they say you need to chill out, this is bad. They think you are overreacting or worrying about small things.

Example 3:

« I can’t believe that test we just had. I'm sure I'm going to fail. I can't believe we passed the exam. I was sure I wouldn't give in ».
« You need to chill out and stop thinking too much. I'm sure you'll be fine. You need calm down, and stop thinking too much. I hope you feel better ».

Wheels

Wheelswheels(noun). We know that there are many objects in the world with wheels: wheels available in a car, motorcycle, bicycle, and even a wheelbarrow. But when someone talks about their wheels, it means they are talking about their car.

Example 1:

« Hey, can you pick me up at 3? Hey, can you pick me up at 3 o'clock? »
« Sorry, I can't. I don't have mine wheels at the moment? Sorry, I can not. I'm not on the wave »
« Why? Why? »
« I had to take it down to the garage, there’s something wrong with the engine! I had to leave it in the garage because the engine broke down. ».

Example 2:

« Nice wheels! Great car! »
« Thanks, it was a birthday present from my dad! Thank you, this was my dad's birthday present! »

To be amped

To be amped(adjective). If you are amped about something, it means you are very excited, or you can’t wait for some event.

Example 1:

« I can't wait to see Beyonce live! I can’t wait to see Beyoncé perform live!”
« Me too, I'm amped. Me too. I can't wait anymore ».

It can also mean that you have made up your mind and want something to happen. In this meaning you can replace amped to "pumped". In other words, you are full of adrenaline!

Example 2:

« I'm so amped for the game tonight! I'm so looking forward to tonight's game! »
« Yeah, I’m sure you are! You guys need to beat the Sox. Yes, I'm sure of it! You guys need to beat the Sox. ».

Babe

Babe(noun). If you call someone babe, so you think he's attractive. But be careful, you can only use this word when talking to a third party. You can’t directly say that to someone you think babe. Otherwise the person may be offended.

Example 1:

« What do you think of James’ new girlfriend? What do you think of James' new girlfriend? »
« Total babe! And you? Very attractive! And you? »
« Agreed! Agree! »

Example 2:

« Oh man, Justin Timberlake is such a babe, don't you think? Is Justin Timberlake as attractive as you think? »
« Not really, he looks like a little boy. I prefer Jonny Depp – now that’s a real man! It's not true, he looks like a little boy. I prefer Johnny Depp - he's a real man! »

Busted

Busted(adjective or verb). If you bust someone was caught doing or saying something inappropriate, or hiding something. The police bust people every day - translated as they catch all the bad guys and fine them or put them in jail.

Example 1:

« Did you hear that Sam got busted speeding? Did you hear that Sam got caught for speeding? »
« No, but I’m not surprised. I’m always telling him he needs to drive slower! No, but I'm not surprised. I always told him to drive slower ».

Example 2:

« There were two kids who were busted cheating in their exams! Two students caught cheating on exams! »
« Really? What happened? Indeed? What's happened? »
« I’m not sure, but they’ll definitely be punished. Our school takes cheating really seriously. I don’t know the details, but they were definitely punished. Our school takes cheat sheets really seriously. ».

To have a blast

To have a blast(verb). Common meaning of the word blast stands for big bang, and phrases with it are often seen or heard in the news. For example: Two men have been seriously injured and taken to hospital from a suspected bomb blast — two people were seriously injured and taken to hospital due to a possible bomb explosion. But if the word is used among your friends, it is much more positive and means things are going great or you had a good time and had fun.

Example 1:

« How was the Jack Johnson concert? How was the Jack Johnson concert? »
"It was awesome. Everyone had a blast. He was wonderful. Everyone was impressed ».
« Even John? Even John? »
« Yeah even John. He was even dancing! Yes, even John. He even danced! »
« Wow, it must’ve been good! Wow, that must have been good! »

Example 2:

« Thanks for inviting me to your party last night, I had a blast. Thanks for inviting me to the party last night. I was happy ».
« Thanks for coming and I’m glad you enjoyed it. Thanks for coming, I'm glad you liked it ».

To have a crush

To have a crush(on someone) (verb). This is a great feeling, and it means that you are passionate about someone, you like him more than just a friend. And if someone has a crush on you, it's the same thing - he likes you in a more intimate way than friends like.

Example 1:

« I have the biggest crush on Simon. He's so cute! I like it so Simon. He is so cute! »
« Isn’t he dating Jenny Parkes? Isn't he dating Jenny Parks? »
« No, not anymore, apparently they broke up a few weeks ago! Not anymore, they apparently broke up weeks ago! »
« Cool!»

Instead of saying have a crush, you can just say crushing on- it means the same thing, but is usually used among young people and teenagers.

Example 2:

« Oooh, you're so crushing on Michael right now! Oh, you really like Michael now! »
« I am not! We're just friends! No! We're just friends! »
« Liar! I can tell you like him. You're lying! I can tell you like him ».
« Is it that obvious? Is it really that noticeable? »

To dump somebody

To dump somebody(verb). If you dump someone, they clearly intend to break the person’s heart. If dump your boyfriend or girlfriend, then ended the romantic relationship. And if you dumped, it means that they no longer want to meet with you - don’t worry, there are still many good people in the world! (And many singles want to date.)

Example 1:

« What's wrong with Amy? She’s been walking around the campus all day looking sad and like she’s going to start crying anymore. What's wrong with Ami? She wandered around the yard all day sad, and it seemed like she was going to cry. ».
« Didn't you hear? Alex dumped her last night! Just don’t mention his name at all! Do not you know? Alex asked her last night! Just don’t mention his name in front of her! »
« Wow, I'm surprised. They always looked so happy together! Wow, I'm surprised. They seemed happy together! »

Example 2:

« Landon looks so mad! What happened? Landon looks crazy! What's happened? »
« He and Samantha broke up. He and Samantha broke up ».
« Oh no, who dumped who? Oh no, and who abandoned whom? »
"I 'm not sure, but I have a feeling it was Sam! I'm not sure, but I feel like it was Sam! ».

Ex

Ex(noun). Typically, if you hear friends mention their ex, it’s about “ex” boyfriends and girlfriends you stopped dating. But if the word is used with another noun, for example “boss”: ex-boss means former boss.

I met my ex-boss in the supermarket the other day and he asked me to come back and work for him. I’m not going to now I’ve found this awesome new job

I met my ex-boss at the supermarket yesterday and he asked me to come back and work for him again. But I won’t because I’ve already found a great new job.

Example 1:

Geek

Youth English slang is a funny thing.

Geek(noun) is another expression. Depending on the interlocutor, the word will look beautiful or ugly. If you call a person geek, this is a critical, negative characteristic. This means that he studies too much or sits at the computer, and communicates little. But if you call an old friend geek, this is a much nicer joke.

Example 1:

« What do you think of the new girl Amanda? What do you think about the new girl in our group, Amanda? »
« Not much, she seems like a geek. She spends all her time in the library! She doesn't look much like nerdy. He always sits in the library! »
« Maybe because she feels lonely. She’s new!” Maybe because she feels lonely. She's new !» (Negative meaning.)

Example 2:

« Let's go Ted's house party tonight! Everyone's going to be there! Let's go to a party at Ted's house tonight! Everyone will gather there!”
"I wish I could, but I have to study for my finals! I think I can, but I need to train in preparation for the final match!”
« Ah, man, you’re such a geek! Eh, friend, you’re a bore!”
« I know. But if I don’t pass Coach Jones is going to kick me off the team! Right. But if I refuse, the coach will kick me off the basketball team!”

(A joke, and a good playful meaning).

To be hooked

To be hooked on something (verb). If you hooked on something or just hooked, it means you’re passionate, you can’t get enough. You can be hooked on chocolate, basketball, a popular TV program, or dangerous things, for example smoking (which, by the way, is not at all cool!).

Example 1:

« What did you think about the new sitcom with James Franco? What do you think about another series with James Franco? »
« Loved it. I'm hooked already! I love this actor. I'm already hooked! »

Example 2:

« I miss George! I lost George! »
« George's your ex. You're hooked on him and it’s not healthy. It's time to move on! George is your ex. You crazy on it, which is unhealthy. We must move forward! »

The next word from English slang is looker

Looker(noun). If they say that you looker, you should definitely be happy - they give you a worthy compliment and tell you that you look great.

They probably won't tell you this personally, but you can learn about it from other people.

Example 1:

« That Marni girl is a real looker don't you think? This girl Marnie really cool, How do you think? »
« She’s a nice girl but not my type! She's a beautiful girl, but I personally don't like her! »

Example 2:

« Have you seen the new history professor yet? Have you seen the new history teacher yet? »
« No, but I hear he’s a real looker! No, but I heard he really super!»
"Y ou hear right. No! This is true! »

To be in

To be in(adjective). You're probably familiar in as a preposition "in". This is one of the first words you learned in language lessons. For example, he boy’s in the house, my pencil is in my pencil case — boy in the house, pencil in pencil case. But the word can be used in a completely different, slang meaning - it means to be fashionable or branded. Things, which in now they may not in a month later - because fashion changes quickly!

Example 1:

« Jordan, why do you keep listening to that music? It's awful! Jordan, why do you keep listening to this music? She's disgusting! »
« Mom, you don’t know anything. It's the in thing now! Mom, you don't know what's going on. This music in fashion Now! »

Example 2:

« So, what's in at the moment? So what is trending now?»
« Seriously Dad? Seriously, dad? »
« Yeah, come on I wanna know what’s cool and what’s not! Yes, tell me, I want to know what’s cool and what’s not! ».

To be sick

To be sick(adjective). Coughing and sneezing... sick not as a clinic patient. If a friend said it was a holiday sick, that was for real cool, awesome, or simply the best. Then the word approaches in meaning to awesome. But you will probably hear such English slang only from youngsters, or vacationers on the ocean in California!

Example 1:

« When are you going to Hawaii? When are you going to Hawaii? »
« Next week! Have you been? A week later! Have you been to the Hawaiian Islands? »
"Y eah, a few times, it’s sick! Yes, several times, it's wonderful there! »

Example 2:

« You missed a sick party last night! You missed it great party last night! »
« Oh, man, I knew I should have gone! Eh, I had to leave! »

Epic fail

Epicfail(noun). Word epic means “huge”, and you are already familiar with the meaning fail. Combine a couple of words and you get “a huge flaw”, “a complete miss” or “a complete disaster”. The expression is used when something does not work out as expected and emphasizes the importance of a failed outcome.

Example 1:

« The school basketball team lost the game by 30 points, can you believe it? The school basketball team lost by 40 points, can you believe it? »
« Yeah, epic fail! Yes, complete failure!»

Example 2:

« Did you get your test marks back? Have you received your exam results?
« Yeah, it was an epic fail and I have to redo the classes again next semester! Yes, complete failure, and I had to go through the whole semester all over again! »
« Oh too bad, I’m sorry! Too bad, I'm sorry! »

To be ripped is another slang expression.

To be ripped(adjective). In normal everyday English ripped means "torn". You can rip your jeans or a piece of paper, but the meaning is different in the jargon. If a man is ripped(usually this is said about men or boys, although not necessarily), this means he has big muscles and strong bodies. Probably because he works out in the gym, or he is a professional athlete.

Example 1:

« Dude, you're so ripped! What's your secret? Dude, yes you are jock! How did you do it? »
« Gym two hours a day! Gym for two hours every day! »

Example 2:

« Have you seen Martin lately? Have you seen Martin? »
« No, why? No, what? »
« He’s done something to himself! Not totally ripped! He did something to himself. He perfectly pumped!»
« What? No way! He used to be so overweight! Incredible! He was always fat! ».

Dunno

Dunno(verb). Simply dunno means "I don't know." This way you can respond faster, with less effort. This expression is common among young people. But be careful and think about who you can say this to. If you tell your boss or a senior person, it will be rude. To be sure, speak only to people your own age or younger, sometimes to subordinates.

Example 1:

« Where's Jane? She's supposed to be here by now. Where's Jane? She was going to be here now ».

« Dunno, she's always late! Don't know, she's always late! »

Example 2:

« What are you doing for Spring Break? What do you think about spring break? »

« Dunno, I was thinking Mexico again. You? Don't know, I was planning to visit Mexico again. And you? »

« Dunno yet! I don't know yet »

Loser

Loser(noun). There are winners and losers in a game, but if your friend is talking about someone loser, he was not defeated in a card game or in a sports competition. He or she is simply not loved for his or her actions and behavior.

Example 1:

« Ray is such a loser for breaking up with Rebecca. Ray Jonah because of the breakup with Rebecca ».
« Yeah, I know, he’s never going to find a girl as good as her! Yes, I know, he will never meet such a cool girl like her again! »

Example 2:

« Victor's turning into a real loser these days. Victor has become a real loser ».
« Why? Why? »
« I dunno but he’s turned really arrogant since he’s gone to college! I don't know, but he's been really defiant since he started studying! »

Rip off

Rip off(noun). To be ripped off(verb). If you come across a regular T-shirt that costs $80, you'll be shocked, right? Such a T-shirt - rip off, which means too expensive. And if the person you rips off means he is deceiving and asking for more money than you should pay. For example, tourists often ripped off from the locals, because they want to make money, and visitors are not aware of local prices.

Example 1:

« I’m not going to the J-Lo concert anymore. I won't go to his concerts anymore ».
« Why not? Why? »
« The tickets are way too expensive. They're $250 each. Tickets are too expensive. They're $250 ».
« Oooh, that's such a rip off! Who can afford that these days? Oh this is it divorce! Who can stand it? »

Example 2:

« How much did you buy your wheels for bro? How much did you buy for car for your brother? »
“$2000!”
« Dude, you were so ripped off. This car’s worth only half of that! Dude, you got scammed. This car is only half price! »

Results

So, you have become familiar with the American slang (English slang)- some of the most common phrases that you will probably hear from your English-speaking friends. But be careful where and when to use them. Slang is used mainly among friends and acquaintances (in the family too). It would be a shame if you weren't hired for a job because of your interview slang. will happen epic fail!

Learning slang and other random phrases in English can be very difficult at first. This is a universal problem. Books and formal training courses may not be helpful. So, why not learn from Bart Simpson and other funny characters?

Sometimes American slang words don't make sense in your native language. This is why it is important to know how words are used.

This article is an adaptation of material from the resource - www.fluentu.com

» 20 Essential American Slang Words for English Learners

Slang- an English word that even those who do not know English know and understand. This word means a special vocabulary in colloquial speech, not yet jargon, but no longer literary speech. Slang exists, perhaps, in any language in the world. These words appear in the language under the influence of modern life, spread widely especially among young people and over time give way to new ones that appear among the new generation of young people.

In addition, slang words are often born in a professional environment. It’s scary to think how many slang words, for example, computer scientists have. It is unlikely that an uninitiated person will be able to understand what we are talking about. The same situation is observed with the understanding of foreign slang - and the words seem to be known, but what they are talking about - who can understand them.

Slang is a paradoxical phenomenon. On the one hand, the educated population of the planet looks down on it and considers it vulgar, on the other hand, who among you has not at least once used slang in your speech?

Slang is as ancient a phenomenon as the world itself. People have always been people and sought to enliven their speech with vivid images, inventing new words and their meanings. Therefore, in any language you can find a tendency to form slang words, and you will be surprised how similar these word formations will be to those in the Russian language.

On the other hand, we cannot understand some expressions even in our native language, let alone a foreign one. There are several varieties of slang in the English language alone. English slang truly diverse and unique. Bright and succinct words are born from the depths of literary English, sometimes even simply out of a feeling of protest against a long, difficult-to-pronounce word. This is especially true of young people, who also strive to encrypt their language in order to separate themselves from the world of prim adults. Therefore, slang, like the language itself, is a living organism that is constantly changing.

Obviously, slang is still not jargon and not everything is acceptable here, nevertheless, it is precisely such words that noticeably decorate and enliven English correct speech, adding a sort of “pepper” to it. Therefore, slang can be compared to a tramp who looks into the windows of a palace, always somewhere nearby, but can never enter the doors of this palace and get into high society.

However, no one drives him away, but graciously allows him to be around, and sometimes even bestows mercy. So, for example, who in the modern world does not know the word lunch and its meaning? But hardly anyone knows that this word was originally just a slang word, as well as some other very well-known ones, such as fun, bus, etc.

Or a word dandy . Remember, Pushkin’s Evgeny Onegin was “dressed like a London dandy”? The meaning of this slang word, popular back in the time of Pushkin, “dandy” or “dandy” is known to you and me, isn’t it?

However, including slang in your active English vocabulary is, to put it mildly, risky. But if you are still determined to decorate your English speech with slangisms, familiarize yourself with some of the most common expressions so as not to get into trouble:

a screw loose - “the roof has gone crazy”;

airhead – stupid (literally – “air in the head”);

all wet – erroneous (literally – “all wet”);

beans – money (literally – “beans”);

bimbo – blonde (in a humorous sense);

bird – bird (about a girl);

cabbage – “vegetable” (literally – “cabbage”);

couch potato – television fan (literally – “potatoes in skins”);

cool – cool (literally – “cool”);

fit – sexy (literally – “suitable”);

freebie – freebie (literally – “free”);

hammered – drunk (literally – “knocked”);

hole in the wall – ATM (literally – “hole in the wall”);

hot – sexy (literally – “hot”);

knockout – a stunning woman or man (literally – “knockout”);

party animal – party animal (literally – “an animal at a party”).

Of course, this is by no means a complete list of slang words. If you know any interesting words from English slang, we will be glad if you share with us and our readers.

Those who are at the conversational stage of learning a language often wonder if they need to know English slang. The answer is positive, since the correct use of such words significantly expands your understanding of foreign interlocutors. The first thing you need to understand before starting to study this topic: slang in English is not necessarily profanity, but also words that are used by people belonging to a certain profession or group: students, schoolchildren, computer scientists, musicians, etc.

Social variety of speech

In order to delve deeper into the study of language jargon, it is necessary to determine its main sources. Youth slang in the English language was formed mainly due to immigrants, music, business, the criminal world, computerization, among informal social groups and teenagers.

The composition of such expressions does not have any grammatical rules. English slang denies the norms familiar to the language. Nevertheless, it is necessary to know exactly how and in what situations one or another word should be used. Incorrect use of jargon can cause laughter, bewilderment, or even offense to the interlocutor.

The grammatical side of jargon

The tourist will instantly feel the difference between the live speech of native speakers and the standard rules from school textbooks. Abbreviations of some words and expressions are also considered elements of slang speech.

Let's look at a few illustrative examples:
. going to turns into gonna;
. want (want) - wanna;
. I’m (I am) - ama;
. yes (yes) - yep (American version);
. don’t know (I don’t know) - dunno;
. because (because) - cause (also serves as an independent word, which is translated into Russian as “reason”);
. betcha - to argue;
. dammit (short for damn it) - damn it;
. dreamboat - a beautiful person;
. gimme (American version of give me) - “give it to me.”

There are words that have both a standard meaning and a slang one. For example, the expression bless you - “bless you” has acquired the additional meaning of “be healthy”, which is used after sneezing. The well-known adjective cool (fresh, cool), which is now also translated by the words “cool”, “cool”.

Business communication has its own grammatical abbreviations, most of which we know from school:
. Mr. - Mister;
. Mrs. - Mrs.
. Dr - doctor;
. etc - and so on;
. e. g. - For example.

English slang in correspondence

At every step in online communication, various abbreviations are used in writing slang expressions. Let's look at a few colloquial acronyms:

U (you) - you, you.

Lol (Laughing out loud) - the Russian equivalent can be considered the phrase “laughing out loud”. This abbreviation will add a touch of playfulness and lightheartedness to your message. To replace Lol, there is ROFL, which means that the interlocutor is literally “rolling on the floor because of laughter.”

The combination of letters BRB (be back soon) is used in cases where you are forced to go somewhere and will not be able to answer at this time.

G2G (got to go) is a good way to end a conversation before leaving the chat.

Instead of writing a rather long in my opinion, you can briefly write IMO and continue writing your opinion.

Differences between English and American slang

The biggest misconception among Russian speakers is that people from Britain easily understand Americans. This is not true, since certain words have different meanings among these two peoples.

In this regard, it is easier to communicate with the British. Most of them are very and can literally apologize a hundred times for an everyday trifle or for something that they didn’t even do. But if you are in America and hear the word sorry behind you, do not rush to get excited: maybe there is a policeman behind you who is ready to issue a fine for some offense.

Let's look at the meanings of some expressions:

Ass for an Englishman means an ordinary donkey, for an American it is a “fifth point” and a word that can be used to call a bad person;

Pissed - in the USA this word is used to describe a dissatisfied person, and in Britain it is used to describe a drunk person;

To shag in America means the verb “to dance,” but if you try to ask a girl to dance with its help in England, the consequences can be the most unexpected;

Bloody is used by Americans in the literal sense - bloody, but in Britain it is most often meant as “damned”, “damn”;

The verb to table smth in English means “to discuss,” but if you say this in America, your interlocutors will understand that you want to postpone the conversation for another time.

English slang, phrases and words of which are an important component of any language, is necessary to know, because you risk not understanding half of the conversation with your foreign interlocutor. Without knowledge of the speech itself, the use of jargon is unacceptable, since illiteracy does not contribute to a person joining a particular company.

It is important to remember that youth slang is not a dictionary of obscene expressions, but the style of certain social groups. Using unscrupulous “samizdat” with a dubious translation is highly discouraged. In the modern world, there are a large number of dictionaries created by famous linguists that will become faithful assistants to anyone who wants to learn English slang.

Currently, slang is a fairly common phenomenon present in colloquial speech.

Typically, slang is used to vividly express emotions and mood. The main feature of slang is that it completely violates all lexical and grammatical canons of the language.

It is necessary to be able to distinguish street slang from simple informal communication in order to know exactly where and what slang is appropriate.

Some linguists argue that slang is useful for the language itself. The fact is that with the help of slang expressions and phrases you can make the language truly vivid and describe those actions for which formal language is not suitable. Naturally, slang is not used in business and formal communication, as well as in correspondence.

Understanding slang

As a rule, it is quite difficult for a person to understand English slang, since it is built on idioms, the meaning of which must be known. Separately, slang words can be understood without problems. But in combination with each other they have a different meaning that does not correspond to the literal translation.

If you decide to use slang expressions in your speech, keep in mind that they may be offensive to the interlocutor. Therefore, you should think carefully before using this or that slang expression. But despite this, slang is widespread in the speech of ordinary English-speaking citizens. To fully communicate with native speakers and understand their speech, you must understand slang and know its translation.

Today there is an English slang dictionary in which you can find a variety of slang phrases. It is very comfortable. Opposite the slang expression is always “rude"if the slang expresses an insult or is a rude expression.

Add stable expressions from English slang to your vocabulary to make your speech easier and more natural and better understand native speakers.

Some slang expressions in English

Props- respect, recognition, synonymous with the word respect.
I want to give them props, they have helped me a lot. (I want to express my gratitude to them, they helped me a lot).
Kudos- respect, recognition, another synonym for the word respect.
Kudos for organizing this concert. It was awesome! (Respect for organizing the concert. It was amazing!)
To mess about/around- relax and enjoy idleness. Mess about is the British version, mess around is the American version.

- Wanna go mess about on the beach? (Do you want to go laze on the beach?)
- Yes, let’s go! (Let's go).

Stop messing around! It's really important for me! (Stop being a fool! This is really important to me!)
Sweet- in slang meaning, a synonym for the words awesome, nice, beautiful (amazing, sweet, beautiful.) Often pronounced with a long “and” - sweeeet!
Your performance was great! You're so sweet! (Your performance was wonderful! You are so cool!)
My bad/It's all good
My badis an apology in a very informal manner. Suitable for trivial matters, but not for serious situations.
It's all good- a typical response to “my bad”. It means everything is fine and there is no need to worry.
– Is there my juice? (Where's my juice?)
– My bad, I drank it in the morning. (Sorry, I drank it this morning.)
– It’s all good, I am going to the shop now. (Come on, I'm going to the store now.)
Take It Easy- relax (in a situation when a person is worried, nervous, in a hurry or angry.) This phrase can also be used to say goodbye to friends.
Take it easy, guys. I'll solve this problem. (Relax, guys. I'll solve this problem.)

Keep It Real- an interesting phrase that means to be yourself and not try to seem like someone you are not, under the pressure of society and other people's opinions.
Keep it real, bro. Do what you love, and everything will be ok. (Be yourself, bro. Do what you love and everything will be ok).
Dude- dude
Hey what's up dude? (Hey, what's up, man?)
Dudes, let's go to the bar tonight. (Dudes, let's go to the bar tonight).
Mate- friend (synonym buddy, dude)
Mate, I’m so glad to see you again! (Friend, I'm so glad to see you again!)
Mate, you’re the kindest person I know. (Friend, you are the kindest person I know.)
Blinding- dazzling, brilliant.
This performance was blinding! (This performance was brilliant!)
Ace- cool, cool.
To ace- to achieve something easily and completely.
Ace! We got it! (Cool! We did it!)
Unreal- unreal, in the sense of incredibly cool, magnificent.
I love this place, it’s just unreal! (I love this place, it's just unreal!)
Dig- I really, really like it.
I dig your new style. Where did you buy these sneakers? (I really like your new style. Where did you buy those sneakers?)
Smashing- amazing
I had a smashing time at the weekend! (I had a great time over the weekend!)
Cheers!- universal toast (Salute! Hurray!)
Cheers! Happy birthday to Nick! (Hurray! Happy birthday, Nick!)
Jolly- Very.
This cake is jolly good! (This cake is very good!)
Not my cup of tea- I don’t like it, I don’t find it interesting.
I don't like this music. It’s not my cup of tea. (I don't like this music. It's not to my taste.)
To be into- to be interested in, love or enjoy something. The phrase is often used in reference to hobbies or fashion trends.
I am really into drawing now. (I'm really into drawing now.)
Grab- grab, collect something in a hurry.
Hurry up! Grab your backpack and let’s go! (Hurry up! Grab your backpack and let's go!)

Another meaning is to impress, to attract attention.

– How did the movie grab you? (How do you like this movie?)
– It was amazing! (It's great!)
Hangover- hangover.
Sam can’t play football today. He has a hangover. (Sam can't play football today. He has a hangover.)
Drop by/Drop in- to drop in, to visit someone for a short time.
Jane, can I drop in after work to give you back your book? (Jane, can I come by after work to return your book?)
YOLO- You Only Live Once. (You only live once.) Often used when someone wants to do something dangerous, strange, adventurous.)
Let's go surfing to Bali, friends! YOLO! (Let's go surfing in Bali, friends! You only live once!)
Whatever- I don’t care, so what, whatever. Can be used in a positive, relaxed format or to emphasize indifference.
You can eat whatever we like. (You can eat whatever you want).
She was right, but whatever! (She was right, so what!)
Swag– cool (person), cool style.
That guy has swag. (This guy is cool).
Turn my swag on. (Rate my style).

English slang makes speech more lively and relaxed. But such colloquial vocabulary is very emotional, so you need to be sensitive to where and when it can be used.