slang list

[Wilson Gray]

Yes, I am. Unfortunately, though, I can't hazard a guess as to when
"word (up)" made its public debut. My only connection with contemporary
slang is two nephews in California with whom I am in only trivial
communication. I also have three nieces in Pennsylvania, but, as we all
have already agreed, women don't know nothin' 'bout birthin' no slang.
:-)

-Wilson

On Jun 21, 2005, at 6:21 PM, Jonathan Lighter wrote:

> ---------------------- Information from the mail header
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> Sender:       American Dialect Society <ADS-L at LISTSERV.UGA.EDU>
> Poster:       Jonathan Lighter <wuxxmupp2000 at YAHOO.COM>
> Subject:      Re: slang list
> -----------------------------------------------------------------------
> --------
>
> I have no info on "word (up)!" before the late '80s.  Still there,
> Wilson?
>
> JL
>
> Wilson Gray <wilson.gray at RCN.COM> wrote:
> ---------------------- Information from the mail header
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> Sender: American Dialect Society
> Poster: Wilson Gray
> Subject: Re: slang list
> -----------------------------------------------------------------------
> --------
>
> On Jun 21, 2005, at 11:08 AM, Mark A. Mandel wrote:
>
>> ---------------------- Information from the mail header
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>> Sender: American Dialect Society
>> Poster: "Mark A. Mandel"
>> Subject: slang list
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>> -
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>> This message is in MIME format. The first part should be readable
>> text,
>> while the remaining parts are likely unreadable without MIME-aware
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>> --0-590426743-1119366501=:18889
>> Content-Type: TEXT/PLAIN; charset=iso-8859-1; format=flowed
>> Content-Transfer-Encoding: QUOTED-PRINTABLE
>>
>> Dictionary of New Terms
>>
>> Compiled by the History of the English Language classes at Hope
>> College,=20
>> 1997-2002
>>
>> http://www.hope.edu/academic/english/gruenler/newterms.htm
>>
>> An alphabetical list of 574 expressions, many of them college slang
>> and man=
>> y=20
>> of them local to Hope College. Some are familiar to me, many are not;
>> some=
>> =20
>> may be of interest to readers of this list. Some examples:
>>
>> =09academic placenta n. The last of one's academic ideology that
>> exists=20
>> in one's first years as a professional in the real world. "That new
>> guy is=
>> =20
>> insufferable. He really needs to shed his academic placenta and figure
>> out=
>> =20
>> how things really work around here." Used by those in the business
>> world.=
>> =20
>> See: www.sabram.com/site/slang.html.
>>
>> =09airborne v. intr. A technical term used by the even year pull
>> team.=20
>> When the pullers are on the rope, one might say, "Airborne, lets fly."
>> This=
>> =20
>> means to get the rope up off the ground on the next heave. This word
>> also=
>> =20
>> gets everyone on the team excited and crazy. [Presumably local to
>> Hope=20
>> College, judging by "the even year pull team".-- MAM]
>>
>> =09gaposis n. The condition that arises when the fabric between the=20
>> buttons on a shirt does not lie flat and instead comes apart to expose
>> the=
>> =20
>> skin. "I shouldn't have worn this shirt without something under it, I
>> have=
>> =20
>> been experiencing gaposis."
>>
>> =09word n. A question asked to another person in greeting them. This
>> is=20
>> to ask someone what the word is on how they are and what they are
>> doing. As=
>> =20
>> a person walks past they may be greeted with, "Word!" This derives
>> from=20
>> "word" as information or news. "Word up" is a common phrase used with
>> this=
>> =20
>> definition to ask what is happening with someone else. Often used
>> in=20
>> alternative and rap music. [This is the first time I have seen any
>> etymolog=
>> y=20
>> for this expression. -- MAM]
>>
>
> Heretofore, I've never heard "word (up)" interpreted as a question.
> This is a new use with a different etymology from the old BE usage, in
> which "word (up)!" signals strong agreement.
>
> -Wilson Gray
>
>> =09wormburner n. A fast and hard tee shot in golf that never rises
>> more=20
>> than a few feet from the ground and just streaks along the ground.
>> This=20
>> refers to the speed and friction that causes heat so close to the
>> ground=20
>> that will literally burn the worms. "Wow, that was a
>> wormburner=85better lu=
>> ck=20
>> next time. Ha, ha!"
>>
>>
>> -- Mark A. Mandel
>> [This text prepared with Dragon NaturallySpeaking.]
>>
>>
>> --0-590426743-1119366501=:18889--
>>
>
>
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