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Chapter 3

Youth Slang
People have been inventing slang forever, and while some slang words last for centuries, the slang lexicon is always changing. Each budding generation comes up with its own language or languages, generally used among peers.
A young persons choice of slang is quite often an extension of the particular youth subculture he or she belongs to or identifies with. While new words are born with each generation, young people also adopt terms that were popular when their parents, grandparents and even great-grandparents were young. Sometimes young people change the meanings, spelling or pronunciation of these words. They mix slang up, and personalise it. And just as there are words unique to particular generations, there are youth words unique to particular Australian regions.
Youth slang across the generations

Slang means words, expressions, and usages [which are] often shortlived, and are considered unsuitable for formal contact.54 Much of current youth slang originates from previous decades and although most of these terms have not made it into dictionaries, they have enjoyed long lives. The life of a slang word depends on whether or not it is adopted by the mainstream or a dominant culture. This is sparked
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by the amount of interaction between the dominant culture and the subculture that coined the slang word.55 In the case of the word cool, pioneered by the black American jazz subculture of the 20s, 30s and 40s, it was the popularity of jazz, especially among the young people of the day, that led the word into mainstream youth circles from the 1950s onwards. It is reported that African slaves transported to America in the 1600s used the word cool to mean its got soul, and it is thought to have survived with that meaning to become part of the wider youth lexicon. It is probably the term most people think of when they think of youth slang. In fact, many of the terms used today to mean fashionable or popular either began in the Jazz Age or evolved in reaction to terms that came into use then. Why has jazz made such an impact on youth slang across the generations and the globe? Well, it was jazz that overhauled high culture for the first time in the history of the English-speaking world. African American culture and music continue to coin much of youth slang and to influence popular culture generally.56
Boomers peace way-out skag truckin teach cherry clyde dream on the man be cool X-ers bodacious major dweeb gross out rad/radical not tubular wicked ace airhead Y-ers bounce bling da bomb brutal foo chica duh crunk aight fo shizzle

While many 60s, 70s, 80s and 90s terms, including those listed in the table, have been dropped from the youth lexicon, others, like cool,
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have remained in vogue. They often evolve as they are passed on from one generation to the next. There are different forces which determine this. Popular culture and subculture are two forces responsible for changes in the meaning, spelling and pronunciation, as well as for the invention and re-adoption of youth slang. To the youth of today cool is no longer exclusively pronounced cool, but kewl, koo-wel or coo, and it is often used by young The rise of retro. Interestingly, people to simply mean ok, satisfactory many who wear the image of or good for example, yeah, Im cool. the cassette or walkman were born after its demise. It was with the advent of the teenager in the 1950s that the concept of cool really became common in youth circles. While the attainment of cool has been an aspiration of young people for a very long time, the difference today is that cool is in a constant state of flux. To Gen Y, trying to be cool is uncool, while trying to be uncool is cool. Its confusing for parents and kids alike! Cool has been packaged up and sold for so long now that its becoming more and more difficult to define it, let alone attain it. The youth of today are being bombarded with more messages, more pressure, than any other generation, but they are also more savvy than ever, and more cynical. Constant advertising and product placement, subliminal and otherwise, are often contradictory, so the fact that being uncool is cool actually begins to make sense. Writing for New York-based Paper magazine, Fenton Bailey points out that cool:
belongs neither to the marketers who would peddle it, nor to the academics who try to colonize it through definition. Cool, like quicksilver or moonshine, slips through the fingers of all who try to capture and possess it.57

Not only does it evolve from one generation of youth to another, cool also takes on new meaning between youth subcultures. Similarly,
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what the hippies of the 1960s found cool was strikingly different from what their sophisticated contemporaries, the mods, found cool.
Reinventing the wheel: old words, new spin Then cool adj. hip, happening major adj. really cool dang adj. mighty fine chick n. attractive, hip young woman funk n. fear and panic and then, depression or anxiety roll v. engage in manual labour (original slang meaning) freak out v. go crazy (on the dance floor aaaaaaaah, FREAK OUT!) freak n. weirdo bananas adj. crazy dude n. male (usually a friend or acquaintance) Now coo/kewl adj. okay, good. Still used to mean hip majorly adv. extremely, totally interj. used to express disappointment or surprise n. any young woman funky adj. cool Also used this way by the Boomers and X-ers when they were young v. to leave or act (from 80s onwards) okay, lets roll. Can also mean to steal from (rolled from the 60s onwards) freaked out frightened, shocked or angry. Sometimes used to refer to an episode that is drug-induced n. very good-looking person. Still used to mean weirdo adj. hot, cute or adorable n. any male or female at all, friend or not

Dude is another slang term which has been around for a while. First used in the 1850s in New York to refer to a well dressed male, it then shifted to mean a city person in the country in the 1890s. In the 1970s, the term was taken up by the surfer subculture to address any male at all and it became popular in Australian youth circles. Today, it can even be used to address a female.58 The term phat (awesome, cool) derived from African American Vernacular English (AAVE or Ebonics), has been a slang term used
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by African Americans since the 60s. It is now popular among Australian youth. Not simply a misspelling of the word fat, it actually has nothing to do with being overweight. It is said to be an acronym for Pretty Hot And Tempting.59 Groovy has been used by young Australians since the 60s and 70s. It too began life back in the Jazz Age. It comes from the expression in the groove, referring to a phonograph record of good jazz music.56 This table lists examples of youth slang which have survived and evolved with the generations.
Old is new again Boomers dude chill/chill out man far out groovy funky baby chick crazy dang X-ers bogus totally awesome bad way out betty bitchin chillin bunk deck Y-ers yuppie dawg the bomb oh snap dope chick-flick fly bling-bling all that as if

Characteristics of youth slang

Gen Y and Z slang is not a mishmash of words. Much of youth slang can be categorised according to shared characteristics. Chapter 1 discussed two types of youth words used today: contrarian and contradictory. A common word is flipped to take an opposite meaning (e.g. sick means great); or a word is used in both its positive and negative connotations simultaneously. Below, a further five have been identified:
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1. Blended words: Single words made from two words. For example, crunk is a combination of crazy and drunk, used to describe someone who is between drunk and crazy.
chillax credlocks wigger bootylicious blinglish chill out and relax dreadlocks worn for street credibility a white male who acts like a black male describes an attractive female (delicious) with a great behind (booty) ghetto English (derived from the bling often desired in lowincome neighbourhoods)

2. Virtual words: Computer terminology.

cyberslacking cyberloafing blogosphere surfing the internet during work time same as cyberslacking that part of the internet dominated by blogs

3. Analogous words: Words used to refer to something that bears some sort of resemblance to the thing or action it denotes. For example, ice refers to stone jewellery, particularly diamonds, because of the close resemblance to frozen water.
donut blouse dogger solid circular car stunt an effeminate male a policeman, from the verb, to dog genuine and down-to-earth

4. Onomatopoeic words: Imitations of the sound associated with the thing or action they denote.
bling-bling doof-doof moshing cha-ching jewellery electronically generated music (i.e. techno) dancing to rock music in a frenzied and violent way said when one comes into money 58

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5. Gender-specific words: Words that are generally used by members of only one sex, and/or are used to refer to or address only one gender. In our lexicon of youth slang, there is only one word used by Gen Y and Z females exclusively to address other females (girlfriend). Gender-specific words used by males to address or refer to females are usually positive while these for referring to other males are usually negative. Words used by males to address females and vice versa are mostly gender-neutral (e.g. boo). Some of the slang can be used by both sexes (generally words that carry negative connotation). Others that can only be used by one sex are generally words that carry positive connotation and express attraction for a member of the opposite sex. However, there are no Gen Y and Z gender-specific words in the lexicon used by females to refer to males in a positive way, although the Boomer terms hunk and spunk are still used by young women.
Male referring to female (positive) Male referring to female (negative) Male referring to male (neutral) Female referring to male (negative) bootylicious, fine ho, skank cuz, dawg/dogg cretin, player

There is also youth slang used by only one sex to refer to activities. These words are mainly used by males to refer to activities usually engaged in by males, such as fast driving, fighting and playing computer games. Burnout, donut, deck, pwn and slaughtered are a few examples. Youth terms can often be terribly confusing they have strict rules with some words, then others (like crunk, for example) can be used by both males and females, referring to a member of the same or opposite sex, and can be criticising or praising them. Its negative connotation, as in That skank was crunk! contrast with the positive Man, you were totes crunk on Saturday, it was sick!
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Another curious feature of youth language is that multiple words can have very similar meanings. Words meaning drunk for example, include crunk, bloddo, fap, off chops, off your face/head, sloshed, maggot, maggoted and wasted. Youth slang rarely refers to mundane activities like homework or housework. Much of it refers to parties and music, as well as risk-taking or anti-social activities, such as drinking, drug-taking, fighting and dangerous driving. This is a feature of youth slang that has not changed since the Boomers were young. Other terms are used to express approval or disapproval of something or someone and to classify other people, situations and scenarios.
Youth slang words prevalence by function
To express approval of something or someone To express disapproval To classify (negative) To label risk-taking or anti-social behaviours To classify (neutral) To classify (positive) To refer to technology (gaming, social-networking, the Internet, etc) To refer to parties, dancing, music and hanging out Said when arriving or leaving/departing To address others Other 18% 12% 11% 10% 7.5% 5% 4% 3.5% 3.5% 3% 23%

Spelling and pronunciation of words are often altered by generations Y and Z to sound cool or tough. This is particularly common in African American street talk and has become popular in Australia. Dropping er (gangsta), g (playin), l (coo), h (wit) and u (yo), and adding a z (coz/cuz) and ie (homie) to words are particularly common. Also, many of the popular terms used by youth are shortened for example, bro or bra instead of brother and sis instead of sister. Australian
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youth, however, rarely give their entire conversations that street edge (as do their American counterparts from the hood, or at least those in da hood on da telly). They are more likely to drop in just the one or maybe two words in the course of a conversation.
coo coz cuz da dat fo foo gangsta harda cool because cousin the that for fool gangster harder homie playa playin ta thang wit whassup? yo ax homeboy player playing to thing with whats up? you ask

Youth slang across subcultures

Slang spoken by a particular group of people is often deliberately created and used to exclude people outside the group.57 Youth slang is notorious for baffling parents and is a tongue reserved for peer-on-peer communication. Just as youth slang excludes parents, sub-sets of youth slang exclude fellow-youth. These sub-groups correspond with distinctive subcultures. Many of these subcultures can be found internationally, although their names may vary from place to place. These subcultures are often influenced by American culture and are traditionally set apart by styles of music and fashion in addition to slang. In the USA today, young white people who are into hip hop and rap and talk its jargon are called wiggers. It has been observed that they talk an MTV version of ebonics; that is, it is not authentic and is heavily influenced by commercialisation. Young white people are usually the consumers not the producers of this subculture and its lingo. Interest61

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ingly, this lingo forms a large chunk of the lexicon of Australian youth today. To young Australians, African American slang puts them on the edge and is a way of rebelling against the white, middle-class value system that they belong to.60
The evolution of youth subcultures 40s70s Bodgies and Widgies Hipsters/ Beatniks Trends and Associations Elvis, jukeboxes and milkbars 80s90s Punks Trends and Associations Anti-establishment, spiky hair, mohawks, safety pins

Jazz, slang, berets, cigarettes, poetry, underground, anti-conformist, associated with writers like Jack Kerouac Into surfing as recreation, spirituality or both, coastal lifestyle Countercultural values, peace, love, activism, psychedelic drugs and art Sharp dressing, mopeds, scooters, mini-skirts, popular music

B boys

Breakdancers originating in 1970s New York City. Popularised by the movie Flashdance and Michael Jackson film clips Going to raves (underground dance parties), brightly coloured clothing (hippie-punk mix), ecstasy and illicit drug use Named for their shaven heads, into ska, punk and reggae music, left, right and apolitical Australian phenomenon, flannel shirts, tight jeans, mullets, beer. Think Farnsey, Barnsey and AC/ DC. White dominated Basketball and rap music, African American dominated Ripped and tatty clothing, greasy long hair, music like Nirvana and Pearl Jam

Surfers

Ravers

Hippies

Skinheads

Mods

Bogans

Glam Rock

David Bowie, Kiss-inspired, extravagant haircuts, glitter, platform shoes Leather jackets and motorcycles, counter-culture, tough

Rappers

Rockers

Grunge

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Youth subcultures have come and gone over the centuries, but they rose to particular prominence in the 1950s. During this decade, it was the hipsters, and bodgies and widgies, and in the 60s, it was the hippies, mods and rockers. The hipsters, with origins amongst the hepcats of the Swing Era,61 later evolved into the hippies. This is an interesting point to note, that although many of Today Trends and Associations the stock standard youth subcultures Skaters/ Skating as a way of life, of the past arent around in obvious Skaties/ originally a rebellious, nonforms today, there are noticeable Skegs conforming culture, is now more commercialised elements from the past influencing Emos Black, side-swept hair, modern subcultures. Each subculture facial piercings, eyeliner, is influenced by those groups that emotional or depressing themes have come before them. Goths Black clothing, tattoos and Its important to remember how body art, dark music and art significant sub-cultures are to young people, and how the language they Hip Break-dancing, graffiti use reflects this. As much as it might hoppers and hip hop music. Can be seem that the words are used by underground or mainstream leaning people and against people merely to Indie/ Trendy, alternative, usually exclude and define their own particuHipster university-educated, into lar group, they are also a signifier of progressive art and music. A spin-off of the Hipster belonging. By utilising certain slang movement words and not others, a young person Valley Girls Paris Hilton, celebrity-driven identifies himself or herself as a part ideals, valtalk and the latest trends. Female dominated of something, a group that reflects Riot Grrrls Originiating in the U.S. in the its members stance on things. It is 1990s. Expressing feminism therefore an easy, and usually fun, through rock bands, zines and a DIY aesthetic way for them to express themselves.

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w ord u p Subculture Mods Hippies Rappers Skaters Valley Girls Slang be cool peace lets bounce grommet like the man way-out freakin session whatever clyde square bling-bling sketchy totally

Regional youth slang

Youth slang varies from one part of Australia to another. Many regions, cities, and individual schools have their own slang terms which baffle people from neighbouring areas. Even words that are understood more or less nationwide can be much more prevalent or popular in some parts than elsewhere, as noted by Randal Thomas. For example, while the words sweet and rad are used and understood more frequently in Queensland than anywhere else, both are used in other states and territories too.62
Word When we dislike something festy feral wrong hectic bogus munted gross Queensland Queensland Queensland New South Wales Victoria Western Australia Tasmania State or territory where most popular63

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y outh s lanG Word When we like something thats rad sweet ace gun fully sick mad wicked nuff awesome Queensland Queensland Victoria South Australia New South Wales New South Wales Western Australia Northern Territory Tasmania State or territory where most popular63

The next table64 presents some more regional slang words used mostly by youth some have been around for a while, while others are newer additions. The origin of some is uncertain.
Word Animal Bad devon Blockie Bogan Dance floor action Dart Nags/nangs/ nitros Nanger Nerpy Meaning and usage Good, crazy person Something off, gross, not good To drive around the block, usually in a noisy, pimped out car Uncouth and uneducated person. Now used around Australia, but said to have originated in Victoria Getting friendly with a member of the opposite sex on the dance floor Cigarette Containers of nitrogen dioxide intended for soda stream bottles or whipped cream dispensers, inhaled by some teenagers Eastern Melbourne suburbs term for an uncouth person Good, cool 65 State or territory of origin South Australia New South Wales Tasmania Victoria Queensland Victoria Western Australia Victoria Western Australia

w ord u p Word Meaning and usage Someone who has no friends (Nigel-nofriends). Used by school children in the Northern Territory (also used in the mainland eastern states) Stands for not one friend. Same as nigel or scott Used to mean that you are in fact doing something Silly or stupid A champion Stands for post grog bog Stands for pretty hot and tender in Queensland (referring to a young woman) State or territory of origin Northern Territory

Nigel

Nof Not even Nuffest Peachy PGB Phat Phoofy (can rhyme with either boofy or goofy) Piece Scott Westie

Victoria Queensland Northern Territory New South Wales Victoria Queensland

Fluffy. Phoofy hair was popular in the eighties

Victoria

Sandwich As in Scott (has got) no friends same as Nigel and nof A resident of Western Sydney. A bogan in other states Derived from and sos your mum (used throughout Australia) You cry like a girl Yeah, your mum! It comes from the predominantly black American use of the joking phrase, Your Mums so ... [insert insult here].

South Australia Queensland New South Wales

Your mum

Queensland

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Originally a clothing company, the "Rockstar" brand has expanded into several industries, including bars and restaurants, cosmetics, music events and energy drinks. By manipulating social media such as Facebook, along with clever sponsorship deals, it has positioned itself as a worldwide sensation, encouraging all-important brand identification. The "Unit" car decal is a motocross, bmx and fmx clothing brand popular with young men.

Filler words
Filler words are relied on by all age-groups to keep conversation flowing, to avoid uncomfortable silences or to recall something. Sometimes they are part of someones everyday spoken language simply out of habit. Common fillers used by Aussies include um, arr, mmm, yknow, you know what I mean?, and stuff and sort of thing. A certain subset of young people use filler words to reflect their style. Valley talk or valtalk, mentioned earlier, is a style of jargon that involves the excessive use of filler words. In Summer Heights High, a controversial ABC TV comedy series of 2007 and 2008 set in a Melbourne high school, Jamie King speaks valtalk. Some of the fillers she and her friends in this subset of young women use repeatedly are: as if, seriously, whatever, like, totally, duh, stuff, so, way. Seriously, as if. Like youre going to pass. Like, all that stuff is, like, so way over your head. Youre, like, totally so stupid. Whatever!

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