Slang as something other than language

[Jesse Sheidlower]

On Fri, Dec 05, 2008 at 09:41:39AM -0500, Grant Barrett wrote:
> I've just run across an interesting use of "slang" from prominent pop
> music personality Britney Spears:
>
> 2008 MSNBC (Dec. 4) Andy Dehnart "'For the Record,' Britney reveals
> very little" <http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/27931958/>: Britney insists
> she is "a very private person" and later says, "I used to be a cool
> chick, you know? And I feel like the paparazzi has taken my whole cool
> slang away from me. Like, going out, and doing stuff, and like seeing
> a guy and hanging out."
>
> It's pretty clear she's not talking about language. It's more like
> slang = personal space or ability to be one's self. Does anyone have
> any other similar uses?
>
> There's a 2004 song by Dem Franchize Boyz called "White Tee" that uses
> slang as a verb in a way that might be similar, but since it's
> followed in the lyrics by "spitting game" 'making verbal romantic
> advances towards women,' and because it's a verb, I wouldn't count it:
>
> I slang in my white tee, I bang in my white tee

Not familiar with the Spears use, which is interesting; but
surely the above example is just the common 'to deal drugs'
sense?

Jesse Sheidlower
OED

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