Language in SocietyLanguage in Society

Unit 1 – The Linguistics of SlangLesson 5: Classifying and Defining Slang

Defining slangDefining slangExample Definition

Pass me some plastic cow. nondairy creamer

Are you just gonna potato all day?

lie around doing nothing

Oh gross, he called the dog all over the bathroom floor.

to throw up

I got totally caked last night. drunk

I’ve been working like a big dog.

really hard, a lot

That shirt is really on point. attractive

A: I got into UCSB! B: Dude! Wow!

A: Thanks. B: Welk. You’re welcome.

Defining slangDefining slangTerm Formal definition

plastic cow nondairy creamer

potato to be inactive or lazy

call the dog to vomit

caked intoxicated

like a big dog with intensity

on point attractive

Dude! an expression of surprise and enthusiasm

welk You’re welcome.

Classifying slangClassifying slangchill

◦You should just chill, it’s not a big deal.

◦I like that girl, she’s really chill.hella

◦There were hella people at the party.◦It was a hella fun party.

Classifying slangClassifying slangTerm Part of speech

plastic cow noun

potato verb

call the dog verb

caked adjective

like a big dog adverb

on point prepositional phrase

Dude! discourse marker

welk formulaic expression