If you’re in the field of education or a student planning to study in the States, you must be more exposed to academic English. Yes, that’s what you definitely need to work on. Well, but when you are living day-to-day life, especially if there’s youngsters under your roof, you might want to get updated about THEIR language for better communication. 😉 Here you see some of the often-used slang in America.
1. It’s
giving (something): Popular expression on social media platforms among
young ones. It is often used to describe a situation or experience that is
particularly intense, dramatic, or over-the-top. (It could be used as either a positive
or a negative connotation.) “It’s giving” can be
attributed African American Vernacular English (AAVE), which features unique
phrases and slang terms from the Black community that have been adopted and
popularized by other communities.
2. to touch
grass: This term is used when someone’s spent too much time
online and has lost touch with reality. For instance, if your friend never gets
out, but stays cooped up inside, playing video games, you could say “Hey, go
and touch grass or something! You need some fresh air and sun light!”
3. cheugy: Popularized
in the fashion industry to describe something that’s the opposite of trendy or someone
who is out of date or trying too hard.
4. finna: To
express your intention to do something. It is used as a substitute for words
like “gonna” or “going to” and is an abbreviation of the Southern term “fixing
to” (meaning “about to”). I’m finna teach you a lesson if you keep talkin’ like
that.
5. to live
rent-free: This expression means that the person or
thing is having a significant impact on the individual's thoughts or emotions,
often in a negative way. For example, if someone continues to bring up an
argument or negative experience from the past, someone else might say,
"They're living rent free in your head".
6. mid: Saying
something is “mid” is to say that it’s mediocre, just the average, or not that
good.
7. bet:
It
is used to say “Okay” or you are in agreement with someone/
something. For example, if your friend asks you “Are you coming to Jeff’s housewarming
party?”, you could say “Bet. Want me to give you a ride?”
8. Cope
(harder): To cope with something means to deal with some difficult
or horrible situation, but this expression sounds sarcastic, like they don’t
think you are handling a difficult situation well at all. For example, if you wish
to pass a high-stake exam without prepping for it at all, your friend might say
“Cope harder. If you made it, I’d buy you a nice car.”
9. stan: To
be a stan is to be an undying fan, supporter, or advocate for your favorite
celebrities, sports teams, tv shows, and just about anything you can think of —
some might even call it being a stalker or something like that.
10. Cap: Refers to “a lie,” “falsehood”
or “to deceive” If your brother says he had dinner with President Biden, you
might say “That’s cap.” or “I’m calling
cap on that.”
Are you ready to use what you’ve learned? Let’s
give it a try!
1.
Amy: The concert last night was out of this world! It’s ______________!
Sally:
Well, what else could you say about it? I know you’ve always been a big _____________
of boy band’s.
2.
I don’t get the hype about that Tex-Mex diner
in my neighborhood. I found their specialty Carne Guisada just ___________.
3.
Tim: I’m _____________ show you how I ask out
Jess tonight.
Ryan:
Haha…. Just ______________ harder. But if you say you made it tomorrow, I won’t
call it ______________ on that, bro.
4.
Are you sure you’re wearing that old dress to
the party tonight? You look a bit ________________.
5.
Sam: You wanna check out that new Soup &
Salad place tomorrow?
Mia:
______________. Let’s meet up at noon there tomorrow.
6.
If you bring that up once more, I won’t ever talk
with you. Stop thinking about what she did to you, or she’ll living
____________________ in your head forever!
7.
You’ve been at home binge-watching Netflix
shows for the past five days?!!!! You literally look like a zombie. Gosh, just
go and ________________________!
Answer
Keys
1. (It’s) giving!, stan
2. mid
3. finna, cope, cap
4. cheugy
5. Bet
6. rent-free
7. touch grass
