By now you’ve probably heard the term “slang” in your studies of the United States. What is slang? When is it used? One source defines slang as “a kind of language occurring chiefly in casual and playful speech, made up typically of short-lived coinages and figures of speech that are deliberately used in place of standard terms for added raciness, humor, irreverence, or other effect.” Slang has become such an important part of American English—particularly among college-age students—that day-to-day life in the United States can be somewhat confusing for students with limited fluency. As you prepare for study abroad, take a look at some of today’s most commonly used American slang words and their meanings.
Campus Chat
Take a look at some of the terms frequently used by students and professors alike in describing the American classroom experience:
Blue books: Thin notebooks used by students to record essay responses during an exam
Cram: To study hard the night before or immediately prior to an exam
Drop/add: Refers to both the actions and the time period wherein students are permitted remove a selected course from their schedule and replace it with another if they so desire
Finals: The last exams of a particular course or academic term
Flunk: To earn a failing grade in an exam or course
Gen ed: Refers to core classes typically required in a liberal arts degree pursuit
Greeks: Members of fraternities or sororities, social organizations that are commonly identified by letters of the Greek alphabet
Jock: Slightly derogatory term for an athlete (usually applies to males)
Make up: To complete an assignment or exam after the original due date as permitted by the instructor
Midterm: Tests or grades issued by the instructor halfway through the academic term
Pop quiz: An unexpected exam; typically limited to a few key questions
Quad: Campus common area; often consists of seating and/or grassy space
Skip: To intentionally miss a class (also “ditch” or “cut”)
Slack: To procrastinate or fail to meet one’s potential in terms of coursework
Snail mail: Refers to paper documents sent via the U.S. Postal Service that travel at a slower pace (like a snail), as opposed to electronic transmissions that occur very quickly
Everyday Jargon
These words are used frequently by students in more casual daily conversation:
Buck/bucks: U.S. currency; another term for dollars (also called “cash”)
Cab: Another word for taxi
Chill: To relax, be calm, or opt out of an activity in favor of alone time
Cool: Used to describe a favorable or interesting object, idea, or person
Cop: Another word for police officer
Crash: To attend a function uninvited, or to fall into an exhausted sleep
Dude: An informal designation simply meaning peer or person; usually refers to male subjects but can also be used to address females
Gas: Automobile fuel
Grub: Food; a quick meal
Hang out: To gather with friends casually or recreationally
Mall: A collection of stores and restaurants where young people often gather to shop and/or socialize
Pumped: Very excited or filled with anticipation
Whatever: A sarcastic expression used to describe feelings of frustration or indifference
Forms and Procedures, For Short
You’ll most likely hear these other slang terms when filling out institutional forms, banking, or performing other day-to-day tasks:
ID: A form of identification usually containing a photo (driver’s license, student card)
Money machine: Refers to Automatic Teller Machines (ATM), which are kiosks maintained by banks for the purpose of depositing or withdrawing cash outside normal banking hours
Social: Short for Social Security Number (SSN), a nine-digit number issued to all U.S. citizens and some noncitizens for tax and employment purpose