Definition

Noun: 1. Language characterized by excessive or distinctive use of slang, jargon, or cant: A style of speech or writing that relies heavily on informal, non-standard, and often ephemeral vocabulary specific to a particular group, subculture, or time period. It is a blend of "slang" and "language."

Usage

"Slanguage" is used to describe a manner of communication where slang is the dominant feature, often to the point of being difficult for outsiders to understand. It highlights the informal, creative, and sometimes coded nature of the vocabulary.

Examples

• The slanguage of the 1920s jazz scene, with words like "the bee's knees" and "cat," sounds charmingly archaic today.
• To understand the online gaming forum, you need to learn its unique slanguage, full of terms like "GG," "noob," and "nerf."
• The novel captures the authentic slanguage of the city's street vendors, making the dialogue feel very real.

Advanced Usage

• The term can be used critically to imply that the overuse of slang degrades clear communication.
  • The professor dismissed the student's essay as mere slanguage, lacking academic rigor.

Variants and Related Words

• Slang (n/v): The informal, non-standard vocabulary itself; to use abusive language.
• Jargon (n): Specialized terminology of a profession or group, not necessarily informal.
• Cant (n): The jargon or private language of a group, often with connotations of secrecy or dishonesty.
• Lingo (n): Informal term for the language or vocabulary of a particular field or group.

Synonyms

• Argot
• Vernacular (specifically informal)
• Patois

Related Idioms/Phrases

• To speak in tongues: While primarily religious, this idiom can be humorously adapted to mean speaking in an incomprehensible slang.
  • When those two tech developers get together, they might as well be speaking in tongues—it's pure slanguage.

Noun

1. language characterized by excessive use of slang or cant