Slang

The word "slang" refers to informal words or phrases in a language or dialect; slang is often used to discuss things or acts that the speaker wishes to mention in a discreet or very casual manner. Slang terms and phrases are found throughout the world; a single language often has many different subsets of slang that are used by different age groups and in different geographical areas.

For example, slang terms that are common in New England may be unfamiliar in the American southwest. Unsurprisingly, slang terms used in one language are usually unfamiliar to those who do not speak that language; slang can even make translating languages such as English to Spanish difficult, as not all translators are familiar with the latest slang of both languages.

Sometimes, however, innocuous words in one language are used as racy slang or serious epithets in another. The word "mist" is a prime example of this. In English, "mist" means a water vapor or a fog; however, in German, the word is profanity used to express frustration or disappointment.

Both slang terms and the definition of slang itself are extremely informal. There are several characteristics, however, that all slang terms seem to have in common. The use of slang implies informality between the speaker and his or her audience, and implies that all involved are familiar with the types of words or phrases being used.

It also instantly lowers the perceived formality of a statement or conversation; because of this, it is considered socially unacceptable to use slang with most authority figures and other people with whom the speaker has a formal relationship. Slang is often used to refer to sexual acts, or other items or actions.

An excellent example of this are the words used in English to describe human genitalia; the correct anatomical words are almost never used outside of medical and legal context, but dozens of different colloquial terms are used in their stead. Slang is also frequently used in reference to criminal activity, illicit drug use, and violence.

It is important to note that slang is different from jargon, which is a highly specialized technical vocabulary related to a hobby or profession. For example, the use of the phrase "Columbian marching powder" to refer to cocaine constitutes slang; the use of the terms "tank" and "DPS" and "ninja looter" constitutes jargon relating to video gaming. There is often a considerable overlap between slang and jargon; this often occurs when those who are familiar with the jargon appropriate some of this vocabulary to refer to other phenomena about which they do not wish to speak more directly.