A lot of my EFL students used to ask me if they’d need to learn about slangs. I found it a good question. Are language students supposed to learn about the slangy expressions of target language? My answer to the question have always been “well, yes, you don’t need to use the expressions, but it will certainly help you to understand the meaning, usage, and contexts of those slangs for the sake of LIVING and LEARNING the language and culture as well.”
Here are some of the slangs mostly used in the West coast
and the East coast of the United States.
(source: http://www.antimoon.com/forum/t7748.htm
and Urban Dictionary, picture source from http://www.antimoon.com/forum/t7748.htm)
West Coast Slangs
1. hella…..meaning “really/ very”
2.
gansta…..meaning “gangster/
rapper”
3.
chill….meaning “cool/
awesome/ or to calm down”
4.
stoked….meaning “excited/
happy/ enlivened about something”
5.
gnarly….meaning “excellent/
wonderful/ or dangerous/ difficult”
6.
the animal style fries (from
the famous In N Out hamburger place)
….meaning “fried golden brown, topped with melty American
Cheese, buttery melted caramelized onions and a signature fry sauce”
7. the best
coast…meaning “the West Coast” because
- The weather
is damn near perfect. ...
- Coffee
tastes better there...
- Hidden
beaches are around every corner. ...
- Highway 1
can take you anywhere. ...
- Burritos
come with fries inside them. ...
8. grom/
grommet/gremmie
….meaning “(derogatory connotation) surfers/ young
children”
9.
gouda…meaning “money”
East Coast Slangs
1. wicked/ mad….meaning “really/very/totally”
2. down-home
….meaning “related to simple and unpretentious way of
life”
jawn (originated in Philadelphia)…meaning “a person/
place/thing”
3.
No doubt (about it!) …
meaning “For sure!/ Certainly!”
4. OD
(abbreviated form of Overdoing)
….meaning “used when someone does something excessively”
5. guido ….meaning “Italian guy
. 6. beat ….meaning “ugly”
7.
busted….meaning “broke”
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