•Slang is a type of language consisting of words and phrases that are considered to be very informal

•more common in speech than in writing

•typically restricted to a particular context or group of people

The Concise Oxford Dictionary is more prosaic: “words, phrases, and uses that are regarded as very informal and are

often restricted to special contexts or are peculiar to a specified profession,

class, etc.”

The problem for learners of English is to know when or when

not to use slang.

Many people condemn slang, but in fact we

all use it.

The trick is to use slang in the right

context.

slang is normally spoken, not written.

The origin of the word "slang" is unknown.

Offensive slang

These words should be used with care. Although they are not particularly "hot", they can be offensive to the

person they are applied to. For example, if you call somebody an "airhead", that person could be

insulted although anybody listening would not be shocked.

Vulgar slang

Vulgar slang words should be used with extreme care. In general we recommend that non-native speakers do not use this language. If used

inappropriately, you could easily shock both the person you are talking to and anyone listening.

You could cause resentment and anger.

Taboo slang

In general, taboo words are the most shocking in the language and should be avoided. We recommend that non-native speakers do not use this language. As with vulgar slang, you could easily shock both

the person you are talking to and anyone listening. You could cause extreme resentment and anger, with unpredictable results.

Examples of Offensive Slangs

Examples of Vulgar Slangs

Examples of Taboo Slangs

Examples of Taboo Slangs

Exercises1. My classmate is always making stupid jokes, I think she is so AIRHEAD

2. I don’t know why are we here wasting our time, this is a CRAP

3. I saw him talking to her all the time, but she doesn’t want to talk to him. how can be so

awkward? He is a DORK

4. Mary is studying all the time, she prefers stay reading than go out with us. She is a NERD

5. My friends said that Roberto was wearing makeup and high heels yesterday, that was so

QUEER

6. Really? Did you said that Victor kicked you in your NUTS?

7. This is a SHIT! I don’t want to stay at home, today is the party that I was waiting for a year!

8. Are you going to have a date with Karol? Take care, don’t use your TOOL with her.

9. Bryan is always with the teacher, he does all that she wants! We think that he is an ASS-

KISSER

10. The police is here! We have to FUCK OFF!

11. There is nothing to do today, do you want to go out with us? We only are going to FUCK

AROUND