Life of Slang

Professor Julie Coleman, author of the new A Life of Slang, was interviewed on Radio 4 this morning (listen again here for another week - the interview was at 07:43). The book is a history of slang words and Professor Coleman said that the phrase "hang out" has been around for 200 years, and that, although the modern sense of 'chav' is less than 15 years old, the word itself has been around much longer - it is a Romany word meaning 'child'. The word 'gay' has been around for over 500 years and has meant many things over this time including prostitute and garish (of clothes). Its current slang meaning is 'sad' in the sense 'pathetic'.

 

Professor Coleman said that slang is used by people who are at the bottom of a hierarchy, and who also have a strong sense of identity. Often aggression is not acceptable within the group so slang is an alternative outlet for people's strong feelings.

 

The interview is here (at 07:43).

Comments

[john]

FYI, Susan, the link works in the US. Interesting piece.

[Virtual Linguist]

Thanks, John. I've often wondered whether the BBC is available elsewhere.

[Jemmy Hope]

I heard the interview and was bemused by the interviewer's introductory remark that the author was a defender of slang, which he quickly withdrew, describing her work as explaining slang. It was as if the man thought slang indefensible.
I also disagreed with description of slang as something used by people at the bottom of the social scale; too much of a generalisation. And the idea that slang is some sort of substitute for aggressive behaviour is, to use a slang term, complete cobblers! Slang is often (my opinion) a means of bonding within a group, the army for instance.

[Virtual Linguist]

Thanks, Jemmy. Yes, I agree with you. I think slang is a form of bonding. As for the class nature of slang, well if you look at Partridge's Dictionary of Historical Slang, you'll find all sorts of words for tailor, bookie, publican, market stallholder and other workers, but no slang terms at all for doctor, teacher etc. I agree with you that the comments made in the short slot devoted to the subject on the radio were generalisations. I must say I think that about most things I hear on the radio.

[Jemmy Hope]

Susan, Partridge gives 'croaker', for doctor, though among several other definitions of the word, which is still in use today for a doctor. Then he has 'sawbones' for a surgeon. Modern slang has 'pill-pusher' for a physician, and 'cat's-meat man' (a particular favourite of mine) for a surgeon.
Partridge has public school slang 'beak' for an assistant master. Now there's a form of slang not associated with the lower orders.
I suppose I was expecting too much from what was probably a filler in a news programme.

[Virtual Linguist]

Oh yes, of course, Jemmy. Thanks. I've just remembered, too, that there is also quite a lot of public school slang in Partridge - and he always mentions which school it is from (Eton, Winchester or whatever).