One of the greatest difficulties in learning a language is that there are
figures of speech used in verbal communication that make little sense to
the learner. Figures of speech such as jargon and slang are frequently
used by speakers of American English. The terms and phrases that are used
depend on the demographics (age, gender, occupation, social status, etc.)
of the people who use them and the context in which people use these
terms. When translating from one language to another, these figures of
speech may provide some problems which may result in inaccurate
interpretations of meaning.
A funny example in DYNAMICS OF INTERCULTURAL
COMMUNICATION by Carley H. Dodd is as follows:
When Pepsi was first introduced to Taiwan, the slogan "Come Alive"
was translated into Chinese as a rather sacrilegious message: "Pepsi
brings your ancestors back from the grave." (139-40)
Here, the phrase "Come Alive" is a figure of speech meaning "be excited"
or "be refreshed". The Chinese translation indicates a more literal
translation of a phrase that is meant to be figurative.
Our PSU intercultural communication students have examined the use of
slang and jargon in American English and would like to share some of the
terms found in the language where verbal communication may be problematic.
The first article deals with slang used to describe people. The second
discusses figurative phrases and terms that describe emotions. The last
article provides terms that are used in business. Because this is not an
exhaustive list, we hope to stimulate participation by urging other list
members to share their experiences with figures of speech.
American English Slang Terms For People -- (Top)
By: Erik Swanson and Karen Golden
There are many common slang words used to describe people, whether it be
in a positive or negative way. Here in the U.S. we use these words with an
alarming frequency. Positively speaking, we use slang to describe such
attributes of a person's style, attractiveness, or relationship status.
"She's a SHARP dresser" or "He looks SMOOTH" are both slang that describe
someone who dresses nicely. In an attempt to describe an attractive
person, we may say that "he's HOT" , "she's FINE", or "she's a BABE". To
describe someone whom we have a friendship with, we assign names such as
HOMEBOY (primarily used by African Americans), BRO, PAL, and BUDDY.
Where there is positive, there is also the negative. Unfortunately, in
the U.S. the use of negative slang far outweighs the use of positive
terms. Negative slang can be used to describe someone who looks and
dresses funny. These words include: GOOBER, DORK, NERD, and GEEK.
Typically, a NERD is stereotyped as being intellectual, wears glasses that
are taped at the joints, and always displays a pocket protector in his
dress shirt pocket stuffed with mechanical pencils, pens, and a slide
ruler. Male homosexuals are usually termed as FAGS, HOMOS, FLAMES, and
FAIRIES. A flirty female who happens to be seen in public with many male
friends may be called a SLUT, SLEEZE, or TRAMP. A noticeable aspect of
American English slang is the use of various human body parts that are
expressions of insult. Usually, these terms refer to human genitalia which
indicate the patterns of asso-ciation Americans have toward the obscene
and vulgar.
The sad conclusion about negative slang is that it makes shallow
assumptions about people. In the example of the flirty female, it may be
just that she is very friendly and has many friends. Yet, some people may
assign the terms SLUT or TRAMP to describe her. Instead of negative slang,
maybe it would be more appropriate to call her a "friendly" female?
Slang Terms For Emotions -- (Top)
By: Monica Wall and Theresa Goyette
Americans often use slang to describe positive and negative emotions. Non-
native English speakers may be familiar with the terms angry, happy, sad,
confused, and humiliated. However, Americans will often use slang to
describe these emotions. For example, when a person is angry we may say
that she is BENT OUT OF SHAPE, LETTING OFF STEAM, TICKED OFF, HUFFY,
BLOWING HER STACK, THROWING A FIT, FIT TO BE TIED, BURNED UP, HOT UNDER
THE COLLAR, FLYING OFF THE HANDLE, ON THE WARPATH, or RANTING AND RAVING.
It seems one major association is the relationship between anger and heat.
A happy person may be described as PSYCHED (for excited), PUMPED, FIRED
UP, or THRILLED. A sad person is BUMMED OUT, DOWN IN THE DUMPS, SINGING
THE BLUES, MOPEY, ALL TORN UP, DRAGGING, DOWN AND OUT, DESTROYED, CARRYING
A HEAVY LOAD, OR LET DOWN.
When a person is confused, we might say that she is DISCOMBOBULATED,
SPACED OUT, COMING APART AT THE SEAMS, IN A TIZZY, RUNNING AROUND LIKE A
CHICKEN WITHOUT ITS HEAD, BAMBOOZLED, or that SHE DOESN'T KNOW WHICH WAY
IS UP. A humiliated person is described as PUT DOWN, BURNED, FACED, HAVING
EGG ON HER FACE, KNOCKED FROM HER HIGH HORSE, or KNOCKED OFF HER PERCH.
As you can see, there are many terms which describe emotions that may
be BAMBOOZLING at times. But don't get HOT UNDER THE COLLAR or BUMMED OUT.
If you can tell us some slang that you know which describe emotions, we
would be PSYCHED, FIRED UP, and THRILLED!
Biz Speak: Jargon Used in Business -- (Top)
By: Andrew Miller
Have you ever heard of a VALIUM PICNIC, WARM FUZZIES, or DADDY MAC? If
these terms sound bewildering, you may want to start improving on BIZ
SPEAK. Business phrases or BIZ SPEAK can be very colorful terms that are
used to simplify language within the business industry. Often, these terms
may confuse and exclude outsiders of the business world.
This vivid vocabulary that is used around corporate corridors is
compiled in a book called BIZ SPEAK. This dictionary of slang and jargon
reveals that a VALIUM PICNIC is a slow day on the stock market. A WARM
FUZZY is the praise you get from the boss. No, DADDY MAC is not a new kind
of hamburger, but a shared-equity mortgage in which parents become
co-owners of their children's home.
Other words are emerging in every sector of American business. The
people on Wall Street talk about FALLEN ANGELS; once very strong stocks
that have become unfavorable. Management experts speak of SKUNK COSTS;
money that cannot be regained when a project investment is aborted.
Computer aficionados complain about VAPORWARE; software that has been
announced but is not yet produced at the moment. And finally, all business
executives want to avoid a MICKEY MOUSE; a major effort that produces
paltry results.
The world of BIZ SPEAK is only one of many that represent figures of
speech used in the workforce. What are some of the terms used in other
fields?
Subject: Internet e-mail abbreviation jargon -- (Top)
B4 before
BRB be right back
BTW by the way
CO on line conference
CUL8R see you later
d/l download
FYI for your information
GA go ahead (used in realtime online conversations)
GMTA great minds think alike
GD&R grinning, ducking, and running
ILY I love you
IMHO in my humble opinion
LOL laughing out loud
MORF male or female
msg message
OTOH on the other hand
OIC Oh, I see
POTS pounding on table, shrieking
PROLLY probably
PJTER computer
REHI Hello, again
ROFL rolling on floor, laughing
RSN real soon now
TPTB the powers that be
u/l upload
WAEF when all else fails
*xxx* asterisks around word for emphasis
_xxx_ italicized word
ALL CAPS capitalized words for emphasis
an all capitalized msg indicates shouting
:-) smile
;-) smile with wink
8:-) smile, glasses on forehead
B-) smile, wearing sunglasses