What is slang?
Q: What is slang?
A: Slang are words that are informal and used by different generations or social groups.
Q: How does language change over time?
A: Over time, language tends to get more complex as new words enter faster than old words leave. In some cases, slang can become part of the language and approved for use by all.
Q: What is an example from history of how racism can be a reason for defining one group's language as 'slang'?
A: After the Norman conquest of England in 1066, certain Anglo-Saxon words used for bodily functions became thought of as profanity or rude after they were replaced by Latinate words like "urinate", "defecate" and "copulate". This was in part a way of making poor people (who spoke Anglo-Saxon) appear to be rude while more powerful people (who spoke Norman) appeared to be polite - one way that etiquette can develop and reinforce power structure.
Q: Can an idiom be slang?
A: Yes, an idiom can be slang but it can also be a metaphor that becomes part of the culture.
Q: What does 'wassup' mean?
A: 'Wassup' usually means 'What is up?' (as in, 'How are you?').
Q: What does 'dunnow' mean?
A:'Dunnow' usually means 'I don't know'.
