I don’t tan and I never have even after diligent attempts. I go from white to pink and even though I’ve tried to ease into a tan over an entire summer, I never darkened. I was having a conversation about this topic yesterday with my friend Keli:

“If you lived in a place like Hawaii for long enough you’d still be white, but it would certainly be a darker white instead of ‘blue’,” she explained.

“So what you’re saying is that I’m skim milk? If I lived in Hawaii long enough I’d become whole milk, or at least 2%? None of this skim milk business!” as I got animated.

Bingo. I’m now referring to my anti-tanning skin condition as “skim milk” or maybe just “skim”. I mean damn, I’m fat free, that’s a good thing right? My point is that I love how slang is born. I’ve witnessed the older generation get bent out of shape over slang supported by a reasoning that blames it on a lack of education. Maybe this is partially true in some cases, but for the record I’m an educated person and as far as slang goes, as Celine Dion would say enjoying a Big Mac, “I’m lerving it.” I believe slang is often the result of creative thought and funny, silly, and/or ironic circumstances. Slang can be a tool to remember these life events or simply an expression of one’s creativity. I also believe that slang can develop around cultures who believe similar things or see the world similarly. There’s an entire internet sub-culture chock full of slang that I find wildly entertaining. Rap culture does this too and I’m definitely dabbling in their slang as well.

I take special interest in slang beyond the average English speaker because I’m a little obsessed with verbal and written communication. When I hear or read things that catch my attention, I pocket those words and phrases and make special efforts to use them later, even if their use is a little affected. Over time this forced use develops into habitual use and soon enough new slang bits are a regular part of my speech and even some of my friends will be saying them too. I’m made fun of quite a bit, but I don’t care, I simply enjoy the process and the result too much.

Lately many good things are now epic.
If you’re a cutie, you’re a shawty.
The present perfect tense has more epic, especially among felines.
MURR is an expression of being annoyed or a greeting among old friends, usually macho males.
Gay is an insult, or not, depending on your tastes.
Owned or pwned describes defeat.
Snap is an exclamation, affirmation of getting pwned, or a response to something shocking or over the top.
Nom nom nom is an onomatopoeia for something delicious.
WTF is “What the &$%#?” but each letter is pronounced instead of the actual phrase.
OMG or ZOMG is “Oh my God/Gosh” … each letter is pronounced.
JK is “just kidding” … the letters are pronounced instead of the phrase.
Word is a phrase to state agreement.
Leet or L33t is an expression of approval or to label something of the highest quality. (from the word “elite”).
Nub or Noob from the word “newbie” is someone who is unskilled and new to a certain activity, also can be used as a simple insult.
Nerf means to reduce in quality, reduce in power, or simply reduce in general. “The generator’s power output was nerfed to 50%”.
FAIL is used as an adjective to describe a subject’s failed purpose. “This paper towel brand is FAIL.”
A+ describes something that is passes, is well liked, or is generally cool. “Have you listened to this album? It’s A+!”

I admit much of the slang I’ve embraced is derived from internet sub-culture or is outdated rap slang. I’m very curious to find out what the rest of you are saying and how you’re saying it.

communication, language, slang, verbal, words

Share

This entry was posted on Wednesday, June 25th, 2008 at 10:20 pm and is filed under Hot Air.
You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed.
11 Comments » You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.