ABSTRACT
Groups of slang users from particular areas, including particular countries, are usually proud of their slang. While ‘colloquial’ has positive or at least neutral connotations, the word ‘slang’ is often used negatively. Slang is also frowned upon as being low-class, and while it is true that slang is prominent among those low on the socio-economic scale and secret slang is used by those who live outside the law, slang is not the preserve of the lower classes. Some slang words are just different words from their mainstream counterparts and there is no particular motivation for the choice. Slang makes use of the plural marker as a derivational suffix. Metaphor plays a big part in slang. Some dictionaries include ‘ephemeral’ in their definition of slang, and it is certainly true that most slang is short-lived. Since slang is restricted to a class, an area, an occupation or area of activity, it overlaps with jargon.
