The expression “coffee break” was first attested in 1952 in glossy magazine advertisements by the Pan-American Coffee Bureau.
SLANG
slang, cant, jargon, lingo, argot, patois, vernacular
(noun) a characteristic language of a particular group (as among thieves); “they don’t speak our lingo”
slang, slang expression, slang term
(noun) informal language consisting of words and expressions that are not considered appropriate for formal occasions; often vituperative or vulgar; “their speech was full of slang expressions”
slang
(verb) abuse with coarse language
gull, dupe, slang, befool, cod, fool, put on, take in, put one over, put one across
(verb) fool or hoax; “The immigrant was duped because he trusted everyone”; “You can’t fool me!”
slang
(verb) use slang or vulgar language
Source: WordNet® 3.1
Etymology 1
Noun
slang (countable and uncountable, plural slangs)
Language outside of conventional usage and in the informal register.
Language that is unique to a particular profession or subject; jargon.
The specialized language of a social group, sometimes used to make what is said unintelligible to those not members of the group; cant.
(countable) A particular variety of slang; the slang used by a particular group.
(countable) An item of slang; a slang word or expression.
Synonyms
• (jargon): vernacular, jargon, lingo, dialect, cant
Verb
slang (third-person singular simple present slangs, present participle slanging, simple past and past participle slanged)
(transitive, dated) To vocally abuse, or shout at.
Etymology 2
Verb
slang
(archaic) simple past tense of sling
Etymology 3
Noun
slang (plural slangs)
(UK, dialect) Any long, narrow piece of land; a promontory.
Etymology 4
Noun
slang (plural slangs)
(UK, obsolete) A fetter worn on the leg by a convict.
(UK, obsolete, slang) A counterfeit weight or measure.
(UK, obsolete, slang) A travelling show, or one of its performances.
(UK, obsolete, slang) A hawker's license.
(UK, obsolete, slang) A watchchain.
Etymology 5
Verb
slang (third-person singular simple present slangs, present participle slanging, simple past and past participle slanged)
(transitive, African-American Vernacular, Multicultural London English) To sell (especially illegal drugs).
Anagrams
• glans, langs
Source: Wiktionary
Slang,
Definition: imp. of Sling. Slung. [Archaic]
Slang, n.
Definition: Any long, narrow piece of land; a promontory. [Local, Eng.] Holland.
Slang, n. Etym: [Cf. Sling.]
Definition: A fetter worn on the leg by a convict. [Eng.]
Slang, n. Etym: [Said to be of Gypsy origin; but probably from Scand., and akin to E. sling; cf. Norw. sleng a slinging, an invention, device, slengja to sling, to cast, slengja kjeften (literally, to sling the jaw) to use abusive language, to use slang, slenjeord (ord = word) an insulting word, a new word that has no just reason for being.]
Definition: Low, vulgar, unauthorized language; a popular but unauthorized word, phrase, or mode of expression; also, the jargon of some particular calling or class in society; low popular cant; as, the slang of the theater, of college, of sailors, etc.
Slang, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Slanged; p. pr. & vb. n. Slanging.]
Definition: To address with slang or ribaldry; to insult with vulgar language. [Colloq.] Every gentleman abused by a cabman or slanged by a bargee was bound there and then to take off his coat and challenge him to fisticuffs. London Spectator.
Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition
Recent Word Finds
Word of the Day
23 November 2024
THEORETICAL
(adjective) concerned primarily with theories or hypotheses rather than practical considerations; “theoretical science”
Coffee Trivia
