slang

Meaning

Noun

1. (countable, uncountable) Language outside of conventional usage and in the informal register.
2. (countable, uncountable) Language that is unique to a particular profession or subject; jargon.
3. (countable, uncountable) The specialized language of a social group, sometimes used to conceal one's meaning from outsiders; cant.
4. (countable) A particular variety of slang; the slang used by a particular group.
5. (countable) An item of slang; a slang word or expression.
6. (India, countable) A curse word.

Verb

To vocally abuse, or shout at.

Verb

simple past of sling

Verb

To sell (something, especially illegal drugs).

sling

• Verb
• Noun
• Noun

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Synonyms

jargon

cant

argot

dialect

vernacular

patois

scold

colloquial language

lingo

dupe

vulgarism

put one across

gull

rail

colloquialism

befool

invectives

put one over

slang term

cod

swearing

slang expression

fool

abuse

rakish

take in

put on

slanguage

drub

dirt

call down

berate

defraud

darn

bullyrag

curse

lashing

comb

bring up

ban

jump on

inveigh

blow up

invective

idiom

lamming

haze

clobber

loud

blow

Translations

argot

Slang

gergo

Jargon

jerga

jargon

argot

argot

gíria

slang

calão

argo

jargão

Pronounced as (IPA)

/slæŋ/

Etymology

Cognate with Norwegian Nynorsk: slengenamn

Cognate with Icelandic: slengja

Cognate with Old Norse: slyngva

In summary

First use appears c. 1756, meaning "special vocabulary of tramps or thieves", origin unknown. Not believed to be connected with language or lingo.
Possibly derived from a North Germanic source, then possibly related to Nordic language: Danish slænge, Icelandic and Norwegian Nynorsk slengja, Norwegian slenge, Swedish slänga (“to (carelessly) sling, throw, hurl; throw away, to dispose of; to flail”), with derivational nouns such as slæng, sleng, släng etc. Compare the compound: Danish slængenavn, Norwegian slengenavn, Norwegian Nynorsk slengenamn, Swedish slängnamn (“nickname, byname, informal name”, literally “sling-name”), and the phrases: Norwegian Nynorsk slengja kjeften, Swedish slänga käften (“to abuse verbally”, literally “to sling one's jowl”), Swedish slänga ur sig (“to say something hastily, carelessly, thoughtlessly”, literally “to throw out of oneself”), also Swedish (regional) slänga (“careless, nonchalant girl”, literally “sling + feminine suffix -a”).