What is Slang?

Slang is the poetry of everyday life.

 -S. I. Hayakawa, Language in Action, 1941

Slang can be described as informal, non-standard words or phrases which tend to originate in sub-cultures within a society. Slang often suggests that the person utilizing the words or phrases is familiar with the hearer's group or subgroup--it can be considered a distinguishing factor of in-group identity.

 In order for an expression to become slang, it must be widely accepted and adopted by members of the subculture or group. Slang has no societal boundaries or limitations as it can exist in all cultures and classes of society as well as in all languages.

Slang develops when members of a particular group, or subculture have a desire to differentiate themselves either from another group, or from the larger society as a whole. With the use of slang the members of the group can communicate freely with each other. Slang mostly involves the unconventional, the taboo. It is a way to talk about things that are not accepted in the norms of society. Slang, therefore has both negative and positive aspects. The positive aspect is that it facilitates easier and familiar communication between people that belong to the same group. The negative aspect is that the use of slang builds barriers between groups of people. This barrier enhances the problems in human relationships that have been experienced throughout history.