English Language Discussion Forums

hopechest · #1 11-Mar-2004, 01:04

What were once nonsensical words often, with enough common usage, enter the English language. But even once it’s included in a dictionary it may for a long time before it becomes more than just slang and is more broadly accepted. One such recent case is the word “muggle”, a word coined by Rowling on the Harry Potter series. Thus, I have two questions.

First of all, what are some slang words that have become more or less acceptable. For instance, would a word such a “groovy” be included in this category?

Second, what are some of the latest (non offensive) slang words you’ve heard and what are their meanings and/or origins? This may include old words that have come back into fashion and brand new ones.

**RonBee** · #2 11-Mar-2004, 01:13

The word cool in its sense of being "with it" was, I am sure, at one time considered a slang usage.

:)

**Tdol** · #3 11-Mar-2004, 09:17

'Safe' is being used in the UK, meaning 'cool'.

Casiopea · #4 11-Mar-2004, 10:33

Quote:

Originally Posted by tdol

'Safe' is being used in the UK, meaning 'cool'.

Sweet :)

Ayuda-Tulong · #5 27-Jan-2007, 15:39

I'm American, and this word is used all over the world in present times, but if I remember correctly, it was once considered extremely derogatory:

Cop

When I was growing up in the 1970s, my mother vehemently corrected me for referring to a police officer as a 'cop'. Nowadays, it's universally accepted.