Slang words

[hopechest]

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]

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

 

[Tdol]

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

 

[Casiopea]

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

Sweet

 

[Ayuda-Tulong]

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
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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.

 

[Casiopea]

When I was a kid, we called 'em the fuzz.
Gee, I'm dating myself. :-D

 

[Mordant]

Cop a load of that!, is another use of the word cop. Look at that!

Cop that! Beat that!

It's a fair cop! You have got me there!

 

[Tdol]

Cop a load of that cop!

 

[Mordant]

Cop a load of that cop!

He's not much cop!

 

[Tdol]

He's a cop-out.

 

[Mordant]

You'll cop it if i see you again!

 

[Tdol]

Yikes! <runs for cover>