As we can see, guessing the meaning of certain English words and expressions can be a bit troubling without understanding English slang. By definition, <\/span>slang <\/span><\/i>is the informal language often used in speech by <\/span>particular groups of people<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n Now, there is also the simplified (my own) version of what <\/span>slang<\/span><\/i> means. Simply put, it is the \u201clanguage that is not taught in the classroom\u201d. It is those informal words and phrases we use on the fly and sometimes even jokingly when talking to friends and family.<\/span><\/p>\n As such, English slang cannot be understood literally. In most cases, slang expressions have a totally different meaning than the words comprising them. <\/span><\/p>\n I know what you\u2019re thinking and the answer is: yes, <\/span>slang <\/span><\/i>and <\/span>idioms<\/span><\/i> are similar.<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n However, English idioms are mostly universal and aren\u2019t limited to a specific speaker group. In fact, slang words and expressions are words that we already <\/span>know<\/span><\/i>. It\u2019s just that in informal settings, they have a different meaning which we might not <\/span>be aware of<\/span><\/i>. For example:<\/span><\/p>\n Hey, what\u2019s up?<\/span><\/i> (literal meaning: Hey, what do you see above yourself?)<\/span> As we can see, whether a word is <\/span>slang<\/span><\/i> can often be determined by social context and the formality of the situation. But, slang in English isn\u2019t <\/span>this <\/span><\/i>complicated, really\u2026 <\/span><\/p>\n What makes matters easier for language learners is that over time, some English slang has become universal that no one even cares about its literal meaning anymore. English slang today is commonly used in everyday speech and language learners can use it <\/span>boost their fluency<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n How about we take a look at some of the most commonly used slang in spoken English and learn <\/span>exactly <\/span><\/i>what it all means?<\/span><\/p>\n Spill the beans<\/b><\/p>\n Meaning: <\/b>to reveal a secret or something not commonly known<\/span> Cheeky<\/b><\/p>\n Meaning: <\/b>to do something rude or unexpected but usually in a witty and cute way (typically used in British English)<\/span> Babe<\/b><\/p>\n Meaning: <\/b>a very attractive female; also: girlfriend (endearing expression)<\/span> Raincheck<\/b><\/p>\n Meaning: <\/b>to put something off for a later time; to postpone; to reschedule<\/span> Have a blast<\/b><\/p>\n Meaning: <\/b>to have a lot of fun; to really enjoy doing something<\/span> Give the cold shoulder<\/b><\/p>\n Meaning: <\/b>to ignore someone; to not care about what someone has to say<\/span> Narky<\/b><\/p>\n Meaning: <\/b>moody; bad-tempered<\/span> Bum<\/b><\/p>\n Meaning: <\/b>the human behind or bottom (noun); to get something without paying (verb)<\/span> Amped, hyped, pumped, stoked<\/b><\/p>\n Meaning: <\/b>overly excited<\/span> For real<\/b><\/p>\n Meaning: <\/b>in all seriousness; honestly; in all honesty<\/span> Fortnight<\/b><\/p>\n Meaning: <\/b>two weeks (typically used in British English)<\/span> Bloody<\/b><\/p>\n Meaning: <\/b>used as an intensifier (to put special importance on certain words); sometimes used as an expletive or swear word (typically used in British English)<\/span> Five-o, po-po, the fuzz<\/b><\/p>\n Meaning: <\/b>the police (typically used in American English)<\/span> John Hancock<\/b><\/p>\n Meaning: <\/b>signature<\/span> Lose (one\u2019s) marbles<\/b><\/p>\n Meaning: <\/b>to go crazy; to be out of line<\/span> Sweet, tight, dope, legit<\/b><\/p>\n Meaning: <\/b>cool or nice-looking<\/span> Wheels<\/b><\/p>\n Meaning: <\/b>any type of vehicle; most frequently refers to a car<\/span> Ride\/call shotgun<\/b><\/p>\n Meaning: <\/b>to sit in the passenger\u2019s seat (typically used in American English)<\/span> Wrap it up<\/b><\/p>\n Meaning: <\/b>to stop or put an end to something<\/span> The answer to this age-old dilemma is actually pretty simple if you ask me. There\u2019s two ways you can go about <\/span>learning <\/span><\/i>English slang, and one cannot happen without the other. <\/span><\/p>\n You must a) <\/span>memorize <\/span><\/i>and b) <\/span>use <\/span><\/i>slang regularly in day-to-day conversations.<\/span><\/p>\n It\u2019s like <\/span>piling new English vocabulary<\/span><\/a> to your ever-growing word-stock. However, in order to master it, you have to use it on a frequent basis for it to really <\/span>cement<\/span><\/i> itself in your mind. <\/span><\/p>\n It\u2019s really just that simple: the best way to learn English<\/a> slang is to memorize and use it. Plus, slang in your everyday speech will just make every topic more fun!<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n Just five or ten years ago, slang expressions that we know and use today had a different meaning and usage in spoken English. The same might happen with current expressions in the future. Slang changes, grows, and evolves over time.<\/span><\/p>\n The one aspect of slang which definitely won\u2019t change is the informal context we use it in.<\/span><\/p>\n One major area where slang could see a (r)evolution is social media (<\/span>especially memes<\/span><\/a>), where we write and share the weirdest words and expressions just for fun. For that very reason, I am confident that slang will live up to its name and remain the interesting, often funny, and important part of spoken English that it has always been.<\/span><\/p>\n And that about <\/span>wraps it up<\/span><\/i>, guys (pun intended). Until next time, happy English learning and may the slang be with you!<\/span><\/p>\n Whether you’re trying to understand English slang, grammar, and such, you’re going to need a good grasp of the English language. LingQ<\/a> provides thousands of hours of English content for you to read in a range of categories. You can also import your favorite content from the web<\/a> (blogs, YouTube, and so on) and turn those into interactive lessons on LingQ.<\/p>\n Also, LingQ is available on mobile. Take your lessons wherever you go and listen to your target language, read your transcripts, and create review flashcards.\u00a0LingQ\u2019s language learning apps are available for both\u00a0Android<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0iOS<\/a>.<\/p>\n ***<\/p>\n Jasmin Ali\u0107 is an award-winning EFL\/ESL teacher and writing aficionado from Bosnia and Herzegovina with years of experience in multicultural learning environments.<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Post Hey, what\u2019s up? Up? The sky or the ceiling, what else could there be? Hmmm\u2026 As we can see, guessing the meaning of certain English words and expressions can …<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":7,"featured_media":176593880,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[81],"class_list":["post-176593878","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-uncategorized","tag-basic-english"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nHow to Understand English Slang<\/b><\/h2>\n
\nHey, what\u2019s up? <\/span><\/i>(slang: How are you? Hey, what is going on? What\u2019s happening?)<\/span><\/p>\n![\"Conversation\"](\"https:\/\/www.lingq.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/Blog-Post-14.png\")
<\/h2>\nEveryday Slang Expressions in English<\/b><\/h2>\n
\nExample:<\/b> Jamie just spilled the beans, guys. She\u2019s pregnant!<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n
\nExample:<\/b> Oh no, you didn\u2019t just steal my last biscuit! You cheeky little thing!<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n
\nExample:<\/b> My goodness, Monica is such a babe!<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n
\nExample: <\/b>Sorry, babe. My boss just called. I gotta head back to work. Raincheck?<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n
\nExample:<\/b> We had a blast on the summer excursion! I cannot wait \u2018til next year!<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n
\nExample:<\/b> I tried apologizing to her but she keeps giving me the cold shoulder.<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n
\nExample:<\/b> If you\u2019re going to see her, be careful. She\u2019s been narky all morning.<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n
\nExample: <\/b>How did you get here? I bummed a ride from Jake.<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n
\nExample:<\/b> I am amped about Kendrick Lamar\u2019s new album!<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n
\nExample:<\/b> Girl, I like you for real!<\/span><\/p>\n
\nExample:<\/b> I\u2019ll see you in a fortnight.<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n
\nExample:<\/b> I hate those bloody fruit baskets! They remind me of his bloody awful grin!<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n
\nExample:<\/b> Five-O! Everybody get down!<\/span><\/p>\n
\nExample:<\/b> Mr. Palmer, all we need is your John Hancock and the deal is done.<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n
\nExample:<\/b> Okay, Kevin is definitely getting fired! That boy\u2019s done lost his marbles if he thinks he can do things like that at work!<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n
\nExample: <\/b>Yo, that new iPhone is legit! The camera array looks so tight!<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n
\nExample:<\/b> Sweet wheels, man! Thanks, I got it for my birthday.<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n
\nExample: <\/b>I’m riding shotgun, Ben you can sit in the back.<\/p>\n
\nExample:<\/b> Let\u2019s wrap it up, guys! The shift is almost over!<\/span><\/p>\n![\"Learn](\"https:\/\/www.lingq.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/English_Blog-Banner2-1024x288.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\nThe Best Way to \u2018Learn\u2019 English Slang<\/b><\/h2>\n
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<\/a><\/h3>\nConclusion: Slang Means Fun<\/b><\/h2>\n
Learn English faster using LingQ<\/h2>\n
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