ARGOT: EASY meaning with many EXAMPLES

Victor Hugo, in 'Les Miserables', refers to him as "the language of darkness" or "the language of misery". Today, in a PROFESSOR we explain the slang meaning and examples, as well as its origin so that you can better understand this element of continuous linguistic renewal. And, of course, we will conveniently clarify the difference between slang and slang so that you have no doubts about it. The lesson begins!

Index

1. What does the word slang mean? Easy meaning
2. Slang in Spanish: How is it created?
3. Difference between slang and slang
4. Slang: examples in Spanish that will surprise you

The word slang comes from french language (gallicism), which was used to appoint beggars (argoter = beg). Currently, slang is a specific term that encompasses words and phrases used by people of the same rank and of the same social position.

In general, and each slang in particular, is characterized by being a method that identifies the group or circle that uses it

In fact, many of these new linguistic slang terms end up being adopted as vocabulary of the language, since they are defined in the same profession, by their hobbies or position in the same social group.

This mode of speech presents hidden motivations, sometimes in code, to name what lacks literal translation. The slang often refers to a complicated language, difficult to understand and in force at some point in time.

In the creation of such informal words, the invention of the speaker, to name a concept, using a word that does not exist in the language of the language, or by changes of meanings, to give a new meaning to an existing term.

The language of slang it is a living language and in continuous evolution. Socially, their expressions are incorporated into everyday language, and are admitted in the normed language as variants or particularisms, and even cross borders. Its evolution depends on social changes, and influenced by the media and broadcasting, tourism, or cinema.

The best known argots

We can find own and exclusive argots in the prison environment among prisoners to designate in an unknown way policemen, submissive prisoner, or chief prisoner; codes between criminals and drug addicts to name illicit activities such as names of crimes, and types of drugs; and the youth slang, sometimes, adopting modified foreign words and using their own name for each action they perform. It is through the knowledge of slang and its use that favors inclusion, admission and positioning within the group.

For example, now in Spain, the new generations use certain own expressions to refer to some concepts that already exist and are recognized in the RAE.

• Anchovy: the one who has not yet snoozed.
• Jai: get a high.

It is very common to replace the word slang with slang, but if we make a comparison we see that they exist differences between slang and slang worth knowing:

• Slang in a informal variant of language, while jargon uses a specific language within a more or less qualified context and directly related to a specific activity within a professional group.
• The expressions used in slang are colloquial, in front of the appropriate technicalities and jargon group techniques, to clearly differentiate yourself from other groups.
• The slang language is abrupt and unfamiliar, contrary to jargon, which uses more defined and exact words and expressions.
• In slang, the new words created are changing, although sometimes they are socially adopted in the nomadic language, but they are replaced again. In the jargon they last in time, to designate their concrete meaning within a context that is also concrete.
• The slang unfolds in lower social spheres, but the jargon is spoken in upper-middle social groups, much more defined in professions.

It is not correct to use and exchange slang terms for slang or dialects, although all three are social, geographic, diachronic and contextual variants of language.

The existence of slang, and the various linguistic modalities of each language is what makes these elements so alive. Next, we will see some popular slang examples in Spanish:

1. Stiff in the police field it is used as a synonym for corpse
2. Refried, refloat and fill: In the journalistic world, the three terms refer to journalistic notes or pieces that allude to a topic already treaty, or that for some circumstance becomes current again, and they also appeal to "fill in" when it is missing personal or topic
3. Dove, in the navy, it refers to the cross that is placed on the mast of the ship
4. Grim reaper, in medical jargon it means death
5. Alive, in journalistic slang, is the live broadcast that went well
6. Piño, in popular Spanish slang means tooth
7. Cutler refers to a surgeon in medical slang
8. Chorizo, refers to a thief in police slang and means drug
9. Mule, to designate the person who transports drugs
10. Hazard, in golf sports jargon refers to an obstacle
11. Scratch, in juvenile slang is equivalent to giving a lot of thought to a matter
12. Monkey, being intoxicated in youth slang
13. Billet is equivalent to cheating and being unfaithful

Slang has no borders, in addition, in each country there are terms created in a concrete way and with new meaning. Thus, in Latin America we can find these arguments:

• Mona, in Colombia, designates women with blond hair
• Yuta in Argentina is used by inmates to refer to the police
• Chamo It is a word of the Venezuelan culture to name a boy or girl
• Partner corresponds to a colloquial Colombian term to designate a young man

If you want to read more articles similar to Slang: meaning and examples, we recommend that you enter our category of Grammar and Linguistics.

• MOLINER, María, Dictionary of Spanish use, 2 volumes, 2nd ed., Madrid, Gredos, 2007.
• SECO, Manuel, Dictionary of doubts and difficulties in the Spanish language, 10th ed., Madrid, Espasa-Calpe, 2003.