patois
/'pætwɑ:/
Definition
- Noun:
- A regional dialect of a language, often considered non-standard: A form of speech specific to a particular area, especially a rural one, that differs from the standard language and may be viewed as substandard.
- The characteristic language of a particular group: The specialized jargon, slang, or informal speech used by a specific social or professional group.
Examples of Usage
As a regional dialect:
- The villagers spoke a local patois that was difficult for outsiders to understand.
- Linguists studied the French patois spoken in the remote valley.
As a group's characteristic language:
- The programmers had their own technical patois, full of acronyms and slang.
- To an outsider, the patois of the old sailors was almost incomprehensible.
Advanced Usage
- "To speak in patois": To communicate using the local or group-specific dialect.
- When they were together, they often slipped into speaking in patois.
Variants and Related Words
- Dialect (n): A particular form of a language specific to a region or social group.
- Jargon (n): Special words or expressions used by a profession or group that are difficult for others to understand.
- Lingo (n): Informal term for the language, especially the specialized vocabulary, of a particular field or group.
- Vernacular (n): The language or dialect spoken by the ordinary people in a particular country or region.
Synonyms
- Argot: The specialized vocabulary and idioms of a particular group.
- Cant: Language specific to a particular group or profession and regarded with disparagement.
- Slang: Very informal language, more common in speech than writing, used by a particular group.
Related Phrases
- Thieves' patois: Historically refers to the secret language or cant used by criminals.
- The novel described the thieves' patois used in the London underworld.
Noun
-
a regional dialect of a language (especially French); usually considered substandard
-
a characteristic language of a particular group (as among thieves)
-
they don't speak our lingo
-
