A Guide to Slang (When to Use it, Etc.)
Slang is a linguistic chameleon, constantly evolving and adapting to the cultural landscape. It's the rebellious cousin of formal language, often...
You might not realize it, but many of the words we use every day started as made-up creations. Over time, these words became so commonplace that we no longer think of them as anything but real words. Here are a few examples of everyday made-up words, with descriptions and sentences to show how they're used.
Description: The word "Google" originally referred to the search engine company, but it quickly became a verb to describe the act of searching for something online using Google. Now, "googling" is commonly used to refer to any type of online search, regardless of the search engine.
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Description: "Blog" is short for "weblog," a term coined in the late 1990s to describe personal online journals. Over time, blogs expanded into more formal content platforms, and now "blogging" is used across various industries for professional and personal writing.
Example Sentences:
Description: The term "spam" originally referred to a brand of canned meat, but in the digital world, it evolved to mean unsolicited, irrelevant messages, particularly in emails. The word was popularized after a sketch by Monty Python in which the word "spam" was repeatedly chanted, likening it to repetitive and unwanted content.
Example Sentences:
Description: "App" is short for "application" and originally referred to any software or program. As smartphones grew in popularity, "app" became a common word for software designed to run on mobile devices.
Example Sentences:
Description: "Selfie" is a relatively new word, created to describe the act of taking a photo of oneself, usually with a smartphone. The word became so widely used that it was added to the Oxford English Dictionary in 2013.
Example Sentences:
Description: The term "binge-watch" emerged with the rise of streaming platforms like Netflix. It describes the practice of watching multiple episodes of a TV show or an entire season in one sitting.
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Description: With the growth of social media, particularly Facebook, "unfriend" was coined to describe the act of removing someone from your list of friends or connections online. It’s a verb specific to social media platforms.
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Description: A blend of the words "friend" and "enemy," "frenemy" is used to describe someone with whom you have a complicated relationship. On the surface, you may appear friendly, but there is underlying rivalry or hostility.
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Description: A combination of "hungry" and "angry," "hangry" describes the irritability that comes from being hungry. The word has gained popularity in the last few years and is used in casual conversations.
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Description: A blend of "breakfast" and "lunch," brunch is the meal eaten in between these two standard mealtimes. It’s a weekend favorite, often accompanied by mimosas or coffee.
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These everyday words might have started as made-up creations, but over time, they’ve become embedded in our daily language. Understanding the evolution and use of these words can enhance our appreciation for the flexibility and creativity of language!
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