Social Media: Use of Slang and Dialects in the Media

Slang communication varies among thousands of social situations all across the world. Many slang words are often defined as “fads” that fade in and out of a specific decade. The use of a true slang word is defined as a modifier to a word that relates to any cultural field within that particular decade or situation. They have revolutionized with every decade and century, and will continue to do so within society and different communities. Different kinds of communication can evoke positivity yet it can also bring upon many new negative connotations. For example, the term “radical” was often used in the 1970’s between teenage social groups that evoke positive emotions. Slang communication is common and every single one of them has an origin, can become popular quickly, and is used differently in social situations.

Slang can come from many different origins within varying age groups. Although there are many different groups in society, and slang words can come from them all depending on those people’s age, occupation, and social environment. Some groups who create slang are “the armed forces, teenagers, racial minorities, ghetto residents, labor unions, citizens-band radio broadcasters, sports groups, drug addicts, criminals, and even religious denominations,” (“Slang,” Funk and Wagnalls). For a new slang word to originate, it has to be said and passed around to others, and it will spread around to people’s mouths quickly like an infection. Words can travel fast, especially with younger people. For example, “young people are interested in expressing themselves in a distinctive way that makes them feel like they're part of something,” (“New Slang”). This is very relatable because this is a way kids can feel like they are fitting in and saying slang words frequently is a way to make them stand out from others. Back then, “people were embarrassed to use the conventional words, so slang down the ages has always found many ways of describing the sex organs, and the 18th century was no exception. For women, there was the madge, doodlesack, gigg or notch, while men had nutmegs, gingamabobs, plug tails and lobcocks,” (White). These examples of slang words shape the cultural atmosphere of that specific time in history as well as revolutionize topics such as sex.

For a slang word or phrase to become popular or used frequently, there has to be a variety of ways that makes it go viral or spread quickly. Social media has a big part in helping “through popular sources like Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Snapchat, Tumblr and Vine, so millennials have more access not only to new information, but also to the most up-to-date lingo,” (“New Slang”). It might not sound like it has a big effect but it definitely does. Social media has captured the attention of the world. Here are some recent statistics about web and social media use in the United States.

According to The Web at 25 in the U.S., “among American adults eighty-seven percent use the web, sixty-eight percent connect to the web with mobile device, ninety percent own a cell phone, and at least fifty-eight percent own a smartphone,” and that really does affect many people (King). Movies can also carry the actors and actresses who say these words within scripts and scenes. Lately, because so much slang comes from generally accessible entertainment media like films, television and popular music, it is harder to distinguish college slang from the general slang of older teens and twentysomethings”(Shrieves). Not only does slang communication include celebrities featured in movies, it also contains singers or rappers who use slang words to express their feelings and points in specific songs. Many rappers tend to curse and use sexual terms in their music which is seem as very normal these days, so it is not noticed at all while people sing it in the car or listen to it.

Different sayings or words that people use now while talking can be varied. Some of the words can be funny, silly, or mean to show the emotions floating around the room. Social standards have really helped many people to use them frequently. Funny slang words can include poppin, wack, or trippin. It is hard and difficult to imagine that “Canadian teenagers of yesteryear coining such obscure homegrown phrases as 'I've seen more brains in a sucked egg' or the century-old Ontario saying, 'that smell would gag a maggot on a gut wagon.' The 'gut wagon' in question being the vehicle 'in which dead farm animals rode to the glue factory,' (Klaffke). Many phrases have curse words within them, and people have been using them so much that they do not notice they are saying them anymore, such as what the hell, bull crap, or lame a**. Nowadays, “Slang is a basic principle of language,” and is common in conversations but also has a big part to do with language and linguistics development along children and adults (Guido). There are many commonly used words but there are still some that are funky and really do not make sense.

People who use these words and phrases are more likely to have others surrounding them using them which ultimately causes slang terms to spread throughout the world. This is always going to be how popular and weird terms will spread. New things are happening everyday and will come with changes in conversation and communication that ultimately shapes the culture of the 21st century. Slang communication will always come and start from different places, become favored and used, and also will be used in all sorts of ways depending on the situation. Slang terms within modern speech is an extremely broad spectrum carrying weight on several different levels that ultimately impact the sociability of society.

Works Cited

1. Guido, Michelle. 'Teen Slang: A Way to Express Oneself Teen Slang Changes Quick as Adults Learn it Slang: Adults Shouldn't Even Try.' The Salt Lake Tribune, 19 Sep 1995. library, https://explore.proquest.com/elibrary/document/288646950?accountid=76587.
2. King, David L. 'Why use Social Media?' Library Technology Reports, vol. 51, no. 1, 2015, pp. 6-9,2. elibrary, https://explore.proquest.com/elibrary/document/ 1646465090? accountid=76587.
3. Klaffke, Pamela. 'Our Language is so Cool!: Teenagers, Taboos and the Evolution of English Slang.' Calgary Herald, 28 Aug 1998, pp. D1 / FRONT. elibrary, https://explore. proquest.com/elibrary/document/244654023?accountid=76587.
4. 'New Slang: How Lit was the Function?' University Wire, 20 Jan 2016. library, https://explore.proquest.com/elibrary/document/1758340945?accountid=76587.
5. Shrieves, Linda. 'BOOK OF SLANG COVERS WHAT'S HIP IN COLLEGE TALK.'
6. Pittsburgh Post - Gazette, 22 Aug 2001, pp. E-1. elibrary, https://explore.proquest.com/ elibrary/document/391178773?accountid=76587. 
7. “Slang.” Funk & Wagnalls New World Encyclopedia, Jan. 2018, p. 1; EBSCOhost, search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=funk&AN=sl126400&site=ehost-live.
8. White, Roland. 'Golden Age of the Dandiprat.' Sunday Times, 19 Dec 2010, pp. 1. elibrary, https://explore.proquest.com/elibrary/document/818582569?accountid=76587.