BY SAMANTHA A. SCHAUM

INTRODUCTIONThe Merriam‐Webster Dictionary defines slang as “an informal

nonstandard vocabulary composed typically of coinages, arbitrarilychangedwords,andextravagant,forced,orfacetiousfiguresofspeech”.Yet,wordsthatareinherentlyslangarebecomingsocommonplace,thatknowing themeaning of these expressions is becoming a vital part ofcommunication.Attimes,itisdifficulttoextractcolloquialphrasesandwords that should be deemed as lingo because they have become soingrained in our vernacular, that their origins are not given a secondthought.Societyisconstantlychanging,andmorespecificallyspeaking,becomingmore involved in onlinemedia, leading to the creation of anewvocabularythatadaptstothesechanges.

Notorious lexicographer and wordsmith, David Foster Wallace

concedesthatlanguageisutilizedtoservetheneedsofacommunityasawhole,and thatevolving languageserves thecommunity’spurposes.Themeaningofawordiscreatedbythecollaborationofthecommunityin order to communicate. Language is constantly evolving and eachgeneration inadvertently contributes to the growing vocabularyof theEnglishtongue,asawayofadaptingandcommunicating.

For this remedial project, I became a lexicographer, intentlyobservingmypeers and analyzing their use of the English language. Istudiedhowourgenerationcreateswordsforthepurposeofinteractingand exchanging ideas, and then recorded them in this book. Thisabridged version of the onlineUrbanDictionary is comprised of lingoused by Florida State students, in addition to the definitions andetymologies of these words. Because this dictionary was created in acollege environment, a largemajority of the cultural lexicon observedandrecordediscomprisedofwordsreferringtoschool,collegiatesocialscene, relationships, and onlinemedia. The greater part of thewordscontained in this book, I observed and defined. Words with a “*”preceding them signifies a direct extraction from the online UrbanDictionary.

*Academic bulimia (noun): Theprocessof learningormemorizingbyrote, subsequently followed by theregurgitation of that knowledge ontoanexamanswersheet.Justaswiththeserious eating disorder, this form ofbulimiaresults innorealretentionofsubstance.Addies (noun): slang for theprescription drug “Adderall”, a pillintended for individuals withAttention Deficit Disorder, but oftenprocuredbyuninflected students andusedasa“studydrug”.

“And then I found 5$”: phrase oneuses to conclude a horribly boringstory in order to rejuvenate the saidtale.Thephraseisoftenusedinaself‐mockingmannerwhenthestorytellerrealizesthefutilityofthestory,basedon the audience’s response, or lackthereof.*Batshit crazy (adjective):Certifiably insane. The phrase hasoriginsintheold‐fashionedterm"batsin the belfry." Old churches had astructure at the top called a belfry,which housed the bells. Bats areextremely sensitive to sound andwould never inhabit a belfry of anactivechurchwherethebellwasrungfrequently. Occasionally, when a

church was abandoned and manyyears passed without the bell beingrung,batswouldeventuallycomeandinhabitthebelfry.So,whensomebodysaidthatanindividualhad"batsinthebelfry" it meant that there was"nothinggoingonupstairs"(asinthatperson's brain). A person who isbatshitcrazyissonutsthatnotonlyistheir belfry full of bats, but so manybats have been there for so long thatthebelfryiscoatedinbatfeces.

Beast mode (noun): when one is inthe zone, in their element, orachievingexcellence.Usuallyreferstoan energetic, effort‐filled state ofbeing.

Bomb(verb):Tofail;tobeextremelyunsuccessfulatagiventask

*Boyfriend drop (verb): Subtlyadding the fact that you have aboyfriend into the conversation inorder to deter anyone who ispotentiallyinterested.Bro:

1. (noun) a common greeting,used to address a friend oracquaintance“heybro!how’sitgoing?”

2. derogatory connotation,describing an unintelligent,alpha male who express theperpetual need to getintoxicated and acquire thecompanyoffemales

Bud(noun):marijuana(syn: blaze, fuego, ganja, green, herb,hydro,pot,tree,weed)Bum (verb): to borrow without theintentionof returning the good;mostcommonlyreferstoacigaretteBummer (noun): used to denoteanythingofanegativenature“Ifailedthetest”“Whatabummer”

Burn:1. (noun)Aninsult2. (verb)Theactofsmoking

Burnt out (adjective): exhausted,often due to an excessive amount ofwork,studyingordruguse*Carcolepsy (noun): a conditionaffecting buddies on a trip who fallasleep as soon as the car startsmoving, providing no company ordrivinghelp.Chill:

1. (adjective) Word used todescribe someone who isgenuinely enjoyable to bearounddue tohisorhereasy‐goingnature.

2. (verb)torelax

*Coming out of the cupboard(verb): figure of speech for thedisclosure of one’s secret obsessionforHarryPotter.Thetermcomesfromthewell know phrase "coming out ofthe closet" which refers to a personrevealing that they are gay.The"closet" part is replaced by"cupboard" because Harry Potter isfamously known for having lived inthe"cupboardunderthestairs"inthebeginningofthebookseries.Coning(verb):Theactofpurchasingan ice‐cream cone and grabbing it bythe ice cream part, rather than thecone, for the sole purpose offlabbergasting the vendor. Must beperformedwith a straight face, and aseriousdisposition.(seeshenanigans)

Cool(adjective):1. all-purpose expression of

agreement or endorsement (syn: awesome, sick, sweet, neat, wicked)

2. popular; high on the social hierarchy

3. laid back, composed 4. Awesome

*Courier new (verb): the act ofchangingone’s font to couriernew inordertoaddmultiplepagestoapaperassignment.“Icouldn’tthinkofanythingelsetosayabout Lincoln so I courier newed theessay”Chickflick(noun):cinematic featureknown to have specific elementsappealing exclusively to the femaledemographicChucks (noun): converse sneakers;derivedfromtheoriginalmakerofthebrand,ChuckTaylorCop (verb): to get, receive, retrieve,steal,orbuysomethingCram (verb): To study a largequantityofknowledge thedaybeforean examination. The word was mostlikely abstractly formed from the

concreteimageofphysicallyshovingalarge amount ofmaterial into a smallspace(inthisinstance,one’sbrain)

Crash(verb):

1. to fall asleep, usually used todescribe an intensely deepsleep, after an exhaustingexperience“Icompletelycrashedafter theconcert”

2. to spend thenight at someoneelse’sresidence“CanIcrashatyourplace?”

Creeper (noun): one who “creeps”;lingers around with seemingly nopurpose; weird. The term is mostcommonlyusedbywomentodescribemenwhopersistentlypursue them inasocialsetting;oftenseenasposingathreat.*Designated texter (noun):passenger who reads and replies toanyandalltextmessagesreceivedonthe drivers phone, thus allowing thedrivertofocusontheroadandnothitanything or get pulled over forrecklessdriving.Dip (verb): to leave a situation orlocationforanother(syn: bounce, dip set, roll, roll out;split)

Ditch(verb):

1. to abandon someone,something,orsomeplace

2. toleavethescene(syn:bail)

Down (adjective): the state of beingin favor of the involvement of acertainact“We’re getting pizza. Do you want tocome?”“I’mdown”(syn:in)Dude(noun):

1. universal pronoun; originallyforamale

2. phrase exclaimed to expressexcitement

Epic fail (noun): a fail of biblicalproportions

Faded (adjective): under theinfluence of a mind‐alteringsubstance;highFBO (adjective): abbreviation for“Facebook official”; the legitimizationof the state of something, mostcommonlyarelationship.“He has a girlfriend and its prettyserious.They’reFBO”

Foodgasm (noun): euphoricsensation experienced when eatingincrediblymouth‐wateringcuisineFreakout(verb):ahysterical,outofcontrolpanickedresponse“Ilostmyphone.I’mfreakingout!”*Friendzone(noun):Astateofbeingwhereamaleinadvertentlybecomesa'platonicfriend'ofanattractivefemalewho he was trying to initiate aromantic relationship. Females havebeen rumored to arrive in the FriendZone,butreportsareunsubstantiated.FTW: abbreviation for “for the win”;commonly used to expressenthusiasm when one prevails in anargumentorcompetitionofsomesortGaydar (noun): conceptual,intangible “radar”which detects if anindividualishomosexualGinger (noun): a person with paleskin,freckles,andredhair.Duetothepopular television show, South Park,where redheads are said to have “nosouls”, the ginger population is oftendiscriminated against and thought tobeinferiortomelanin‐richindividuals.

Girlfriendvoice (noun):Thevoiceaman uses when speaking to hissignificant other, characterized by ahigher pitch, more effeminate tone,andaccompaniedbypetnames.Whenheardbymalecompanions,oneusingthegirlfriendvoiceisoftenthesubjectofmockery.Hangout (verb): to spend timewithsomeone just for fun. Vague,ambiguous term that can betransposed to describe virtually anyaction involving two ormore people;usuallyinvolveswastingtimeHardcore (adjective): term used toexpress the intensity or strength ofsomethingorsomeone.“I’vebeenstudyingfor8hours”“Thatishardcore”Hella(adverb):really;very“I was up all night studying. I’m hellatired”Highdea (noun): an idea manifestedwhen under the influence ofmarijuana.

*Hipster (noun): subculture of menandwomentypicallyintheir20'sand30's that value independent thinking,counter‐culture, progressive politics,

an appreciationof art and indie‐rock,creativity, intelligence, and wittybanter.Although"hipsterism"isreallya state of mind, it is also oftenintertwined with distinct fashionsensibilities. Hipsters reject theculturally‐ignorant attitudes ofmainstreamconsumers,andareoftenbe seen wearing vintage and thriftstore inspired fashions, tight‐fittingjeans, old‐school sneakers, andsometimesthickrimmedglasses.

Hookup(verb):1. tohavesexualintercourse2. tokiss3. tomeetupwithsomeone

Ink:

1. (noun)tattoos2. (verb) the act of giving

someoneatattooIsh(adverb):

1. kindof;sortof;tackedontotheendof aword to imply lackofentirety“I’mhungry­ish”

2. used to signal leniency whendescribingtime“Wecangoaroundnoonish”

“I feel you”: phrase used to conveyempathy or comprehension ofsomeone. A phrase often sharedwithclosecompanions,expressinggenuineunderstanding of a person’s thoughtsoropinionsJelly(adjective):slangforjealous“Igotmyconcertticket!”“Aw man, I’m so jelly. They sold outbeforeIcouldscoreone”Knockedup:

1. (verb) to get pregnant, termtypically used to imply anunintendedpregnancy

2. (adjective)tobepregnantLame(adjective):

1. Uncool,boring,unsatisfactory2. Expression used to describe

disapprovalordisappointment“Ican’tgoouttonight”“Lame!”

Lap up (verb): the act of sitting onanotherperson’s lapwhilstsqueezingmore people into a car than itsintendedcapacity.Legit(adjective):abridgedversionoftheword‘legitimate’Loaded (adjective): to be inpossessionofanextraordinarily largeamountofmoneyLike:

1. (verb)Said;stated;“Hewaslike‘Hey!’andIwaslike‘Hi’”

2. Term commonly used as afiller; interchangeable withstutters ‘um’ and ‘uh’; possiblya subconscious fear to committo a verbal assertion; usually

frowned upon and seen asunintelligentjargon“Let’s,like,gotothepark”

Meh: phrase used to expressindifference“Doyouwanttogoouttonight?”“Meh”Mind fuck (noun): term describingsomethingthatleavesoneinastateofutterconfusion;tobeflabbergastedbysomething

*Microwave minute (noun):phenomenon when time slows downwhilewaiting for food to cook in themicrowave. The microwave minutehas the ability to slow time turningone minute into what feels like anhour.“My phone’s about to die”: phraseoften used to conclude an undesiredconversation with someone on thephone, without bluntly stating thewishtodiscontinuetheexchange

*Name dropping (verb): The act ofinserting the name of any obscureculturalinstitutionintoaconversationin an effort to accelerate thebuildingof rapportwith someone, or tomakeone's self appear to be moreimportant. Typically considered byintelligent people to be a negativehabit.­Nazi: term tacked onto the end of aword to indicate uptightness orauthoritariannature“My English professor is such agrammar‐nazi”*Nerd­person(noun):playonwordsof “third person”. The voice someoneuses when explaining somethingtechnicalorgenerallynerdy.“I always switch to the nerd­personwhen discussing the finer points ofquantumphysics”No homo: phrase used by malesdirectlyaftermakingastatementthatinadvertently questions their ownheterosexuality“Iloveyouman!Nohomo…”Nom nom nom: an onomatopoeicphrase used to indicate enthusiasmtowardsfood;mostoftenexclaimed

Owned(adjective):defeatedOut of it (adjective): not focused;usually due to exhaustion or lack ofpropercaffeination.Onewhois‘outofit’ is often inattentive, unobservantand makes clumsy mistakes, nototherwise made under normalcircumstances.Permafaded(adjective):thestateofbeing constantly under the influenceof mind‐altering substances. Formedby the combination of “permanently”and“faded”Photobomb (verb): to forcibly jumpinto the a picture right before it isshot, often unbeknownst to thephotographer and/or people in thepicture; typically a form of prank,intendedtospoilthepicture

Pissedoff(adjective):veryangryPlanking (verb): originally dubbed“extreme lyingdown”, theartof lyinghorizontally, facedown in an unusualplace; most often photographed, andservingnopurposePregame (verb): to drink alcoholicbeveragesbeforegoingout

*Pretext (verb): To pretend to textsomeonetoavoidawkwardsituations.Psyched (adjective): extremelyexcitedRage (verb): to partywith excessivepassionorvigor;togoalloutReally?: phrase used to expressirritationordisappointment(Jackhammer outside window at 4 inthemorning)Sleep­deprivedvictim:“Really?”Rick roll (verb): to send a disguisedlink to an unassuming victim via theweb;whenclicked, the link leadstoavideo of 80’s one‐hi‐wonder, RickAstley, singing “Never Going to GiveYouUp”Rosa Parks (verb): to sit in thepassenger seat of a car, refusing torelinquish it, despite the fact thatsomeone else called shotgun andremains the rightful owner of thefrontseatSerial friender (noun): someonewho adds an excessive amount ofpeople on Facebook; they will oftenadd an individual after beingacquainted with them only once, ornotatallSesh(noun):shortfor“session”;usedto describe a time interval of doingsomething“MyclassmatesandIhadastudysesh”“Just had a cuddle sesh with myboyfriend”Shim (noun): combination of theword“sheandhim”;usedtodescribe

a person of an androgynousappearance.Shitshow (noun): scene of masschaos, and disorganization; oftenaccompaniedbyintoxication“MyThanksgivingwasatotalshitshow:everyone was drunk and fighting overturkeylegsandpolitics”Shit­ton (adjective): a lot; a largeamount“I can’t go out; I have a shit ton ofhomeworktodo”Shotgun(noun):

1. passengerseatofavehicle2. phraseverballyoratedinorder

toreservethepassengerseatofavehicle

Sketchy (adjective): dubious,unsettling,generallynotright(syn:shady,creepy,squirrely)

Snuggle season (noun):Phenomenon in which people formrelationships during a specific timeinterval; typically the fall and wintermonths. This cyclical process beginswhen it starts togetcoldoutsideandindividuals look for someone to“snuggle” with for warmth. Theboyfriend/girlfriend status createdduringthistimeisoftenobliteratedassoonasspringsemesterbegins.Solid:

1. (adjective)content“Can I get you something todrink?”“No,I’msolid”

2. (noun)afavor“Do me a solid and lend me 5bucks”

Soulsuck (noun): an exhausting,monotonoustaskProfessorMcElroy:“gradingallofyourprojectsisquiteasoulsuck”Swoll (adjective): extremelymuscular;oftenusedtodescribehulk‐like,maleweight‐liftingfanatics

Tabletopping(verb):prankinwhichone person gets on their hands andknees behind an unassuming victim,

and the second assailant pushes saidvictim over the accomplice on allfours, ultimately toppling them flatontotheirbackTebowing (verb): pop culturalphenomenon, similar to planking, inwhich one gets onto one knee andprays, despite the inappropriatenessof the location or time; term derivedfromfootballplayer,TimTebow,whois notorious for getting into saidpositionbeforeagame

“That guy/girl I’m talking to”: usedto describe the prelude to dating orbecomingexclusivewithaguy.Thereis definite attraction and mutualinterest,but thedesire toofficiallygoout has not yet been communicated;period of dating limbo. ‘Talking to’usually entails texting, facebookmessaging, and the occasionalhangoutwithmutualfriendsTotes(adverb):shortfor“totally”Troll (verb): deliberately causingmass uproar with a controversialstatement,video,orothermedium,foramusement

“That’swhat she said”:phrase usedto transform an ordinary statementinto a sexual innuendo; the act ofusing this phrase has becomesomewhatofanart,requiringextremevigilance, linguistic skill andperversion“Ithinkit’llfitinthere”“That’swhatshesaid”Throwdown (verb): to contribute aformofcurrencytoacommonsupply,usually as a way to obtain a good ofmutual desirability between a groupofpeople“We’regettingsomebeer”“I’llthrowdownforthat”Up (adjective): Ironicallysynonymous with the slang use of‘down’“Whatdoyouwanttodo?”“I’mupforanything”Veg (verb): to lie around; to beunproductive; typically requires acouchandbagofCheetosWhite girl problems: thestereotypicaltribulationsencounteredexclusivelybymiddleandupperclasswhite women; popular phrase usedafter someone makes a pettycomplaint“Theymademy latte with 2% insteadofskim!”“Whitegirlproblems”

Zonk(verb):extremelyversatileverbtodescribevirtuallyanypremeditatedaction

1. to prank; usually unwarrantedand for the enjoyment of the‘zonker’,attheexpensedofthepersonbeing‘zonked’

2. to take an unflattering, candidpicture of someone anddistributeittothemasses

3. tohacksomeone’s facebookorphone

4. to throw something atsomeone

5. tohavesexwith6. tosleep

FIN

URBANSCHAUMTIONARYWRITTENBYSAMANTHASCHAUMIMAGESFROMGOOGLEIMAGES“*”WORDSFROMURBANDICTIONARY