Language, oddly enough, is something we don’t talk about enough. New words and phrases are always being created in the informal forum of slang language, yet we don’t seem conscious of these changes. Many hours of writing — blogs, think pieces, papers — have been devoted to how slang is created, but few have discussed when it’s time to retire phrases from our collective vocabulary. Even fewer articles have been written on how and when to use slang. Knowing when to reevaluate and change your language is key to the respectful use of slang.
Over the years, many words and phrases have been dropped from our speech for being old-fashioned or hurtful. Recently Lizzo and Beyoncé both dropped the word “spaz” from their albums following criticism claiming the word was ableist. There are also several other instances where ableist language has been slowly removed from everyday vernacular on media platforms and at an individual level. Many companies and schools additionally require students or personnel to have training on the subject.
Harm inflicted by slang extends beyond the use of outdated terms, but to vernacular appropriated from marginalized communities. Many terms now considered to be common slang — fleek, lit, bae, woke, cap — are taken directly from African American Vernacular English, Black authors or Black spaces on social media platforms like Twitter.
When outside groups use African American Vernacular English in their speech, structural discrimination is frequently highlighted in its reception. Often, when African Americans use AAVE, they could be discriminated against. A linguist at Stanford has even come out and said prejudice toward AAVE can lead to unfair rulings in courtrooms. In contrast, when white people or corporations use AAVE, they are not subject to this persecution and might even be considered hip or cool. Recently there has been controversy surrounding the use of AAVE by Gen-Z influencers. Some young African Americans believe that AAVE language has been credited simply to the young — often white — influencers on social media, rather than the African American community.
There is also a significant amount of slang that has come from the LGBTQ community. Among other phrases, popular terms like“throwing shade” originate in drag and ballroom culture. Ballroom culture primarily originated in New York during the 1920s and consisted of white men performing in drag. Drag was reestablished by African American drag performers during the 1960s. Drag culture has been the subject of oppression since its early years. American lawenforcement used “masquerade laws” as a means of arresting those performing drag and many cities like New York had ordinances prohibiting cross-dressing.
Using phrases from these communities requires a certain level of nuance. Though language may be used as a way to bring people together, slang is inherently insular. There is a serious ethical dilemma when privileged groups use the vernacular of marginalized groups. Unless you are a member of one of these groups, it may be best to use these phrases sparingly.
Rather than continuing the appropriation of these terms, why not drop phrases created by other groups, whether from a subculture or minority group, for new phrases? Whether speaking publicly, privately or in writing, it’s best to be original. If you find yourself using an old, overused idiom or slang term, it can usually be dropped for something new. This creation process could also be used to develop phrases and idioms. Idioms are a part of the English language that is in desperate need of updating. Unlike slang, which is ever-changing, idioms seem to have become stagnated. The common idiom “speak of the devil” is from the 1600s at the latest. The replacement of common idioms is as simple as creating a new metaphor. The benefits of creating new slang and idioms go beyond simply being original. Slang — the creation and usage of it — increases vocabulary, which has been shown to improve certain brain functions by a team at University College London.
While doing all of this, it is important not to alienate people. Language should be used to bring people together in both small or large groups. One of the common ways alienation can occur is by letting slang become akin to jargon.
Jargon is similar to slang in that it is used by an insular group (usually a profession), but it can have more negative effects. Slang is insular, so it could be argued that those using it have no obligation to make it comprehensible. That is a valid point but it should be noted that when speech developes into jargon it can be harmful. Jargon has been shown to alienate and confuse listeners. When slang becomes jargon, it’s time to stop using it.Sometimes slang can become so niche that it becomes alienating to any outside listener.
This happened in Boonville, California, where the local townsfolk created a language of slang called “Boontling.” The jargon-language is thought to have come about as a way for children to speak freely without their parents’ understanding. This usage of slang ultimately became a form of incomprehensible jargon to any outsiders of the town. This serves as a way of showing how when groups alter language it can be done in a harmful way meant to alienate others. So, while the creation of slang is important to the development of language and the individual, it should not be used to alienate others.
Ideally, slang is something everyone should be able to share and use to connect with others on a wider scale, but that is unlikely. Due to the oppression of certain peoples and their speech, it is unlikely that their slang will be shared with others. It is additionally unlikely because slang is created in small groups and often doesn’t make it out of those groups at all. Slang will continue to be insular and bring specific groups of people together. As such, it shouldn’t be used to purposely alienate others, or appropriated from marginalized groups. Language constantly grows, and individuals can take a role in how it does by creating their own phrases and pruning others.
Copy edited by Lauren Courtney and Emily Rutledge