slang
/slæŋ/
slang is pronounced slang (/slæŋ/). Slang refers to informal, nonstandard language used by a particular group or in casual conversation. It comprises words and expressions that may be widely understood within a community but are often inappropriate in formal settings. Slang evolves rapidly, reflecting culture, trends, and social identity, and can convey solidarity or stance when used appropriately.
Slang refers to informal, nonstandard language used by a particular group or in casual conversation. It comprises words and expressions that may be widely understood within a community but are often inappropriate in formal settings. Slang evolves rapidly, reflecting culture, trends, and social identity, and can convey solidarity or stance when used appropriately.
"She dropped a few slang terms at the party to sound more approachable."
"The film is filled with 90s slang that makes it feel nostalgic."
"In texting, people often shorten phrases with slang like 'lol' or 'brb.'"
Pronounce it as /slæŋɡ/ in US and UK English, with a single open-front short vowel in the first syllable and a hard 'g' at the end. The tongue sits low-mid with the front of the tongue raised toward the hard palate; lips are relaxed, glottal stop is not required. Stress is on the single syllable: slang. Listen for the short, clipped vowel and the crisp final /ŋ/ followed by /g/. Audio references: you can compare with /slæŋɡ/ in online dictionaries for confirmation.
Common mistakes include confusing the final /g/ with a soft /j/ or /ʒ/ sound, pronouncing /æ/ as a lax central vowel, and adding an extra vowel after /ŋ/. Correct by keeping the vowel as a short open front /æ/, ensuring a hard /g/ release, and avoiding any post-nasal vowel. Practice with minimal pairs like /slæŋ/ vs /slæŋɡ/ and feel the tongue close behind the teeth for the /æ/ and the back-closure for /g/ at the end.
In standard US/UK pronunciation, /slæŋɡ/ is similar, but US speakers often have stronger /æ/ and a slightly less aspirated /g/ release in rapid speech; UK accents may show a crisper /ɡ/ with less fronting of the tongue, and some Australian speakers reduce the final /g/ in casual speech, producing an almost /slæŋ/ or a glottal stop-like ending in very informal contexts. Overall, the rhyme remains the same; the main variation is vowel quality and the exact closure release.
The difficulty lies in the final consonant cluster /ŋɡ/ where the nasal /ŋ/ must immediately adjoin a voiced velar stop /ɡ/ without an intervening vowel, which can be challenging for speakers not used to dense single-syllable endings. Additionally, achieving the precise short /æ/ vowel and crisp /g/ release requires careful articulation and timing, especially in rapid dialogue. Practice with focused drills on the /ŋ/ to /g/ transition helps stabilize accuracy.
No silent letters in slang, but the pronunciation hinges on a clean, brief /æ/ vowel and a strong /ŋ/ followed by /ɡ/. The challenge is sequencing: keep the nasal closure for /ŋ/ tight, then release into the /g/ without adding an extra vowel or lengthening the syllable. Visually imagine a quick nasal onset leading straight into the hard /g/ grasp—steady, clipped, and compact.
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The word slang originated in the early 18th century in English, likely as a shorthand for slang terms used by groups or ‘slang’ meaning ‘language believed to be fools’ talk’ or ‘noise.’ It may derive from the obsolete noun slang meaning ‘mockery’ or ‘noise’ and possibly from earlier Middle English slangen, meaning to talk or chatter, though the precise path is debated. In its modern sense, slang denotes informal, often ephemeral vocabulary that emerges within subcultures such as youth, professions, or online communities. Its evolution tracks social identity, solidarity, and boundary-marking: new terms arise to signal group membership, humor, or attitude, while some expressions fall out of favor as trends shift. First widely documented in print in the 18th century, slang gained scholarly interest in the 19th and 20th centuries as linguists sought to categorize nonstandard language. Today, slang is a dynamic, global phenomenon, with regional varieties (e.g., American slang, British slang, Australian slang) reflecting local slang ecosystems and media influence. It both borrows from standard English and innovates through wordplay, blending, and reappropriation. The internet age accelerates slang turnover, with terms often becoming memes or lexical fads before fading or becoming mainstream vocabulary.
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "slang" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "slang" and show contrast in usage.
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Words that rhyme with "slang"
-ang sounds
Practice with these rhyming pairs to improve your pronunciation consistency:
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