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Added 9 October 2026

slang

/ˈslæŋ/ noun

noun Definition from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA). Pronunciation from Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org. More about slang at Wordnik → Where our words come from →

Language outside of conventional usage and in the informal register.
Language that is unique to a particular profession or subject; jargon.
The specialized language of a social group, sometimes used to conceal one's meaning from outsiders; cant.

verb

To vocally abuse, or shout at.

verb

simple past of sling

noun

Any long, narrow piece of land; a promontory.

Origin

First use appears c. 1756, meaning "special vocabulary of tramps or thieves", origin unknown. Not believed to be connected with language or lingo. Possibly derived from a North Germanic source, then possibly related to Nordic language: Danish slænge, Icelandic and Norwegian Nynorsk slengja, Norwegian slenge, Swedish slänga (“to (carelessly) sling, throw, hurl; throw away, to dispose of; to flail”), with derivational nouns such as slæng, sleng, släng etc.

From Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org (CC BY-SA)

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