understand, and since by nature slang is the language of an in-group rather than the population at large, using
slang means limiting your audience to those who understand or accept it. And since one purpose of grammatically correct,
standardEnglish is to make statements that areas widely and e ectively understandable as possible, using slang is usually incorrect.
Of course, a few slang words eventually pass into the vocabularies of virtually all
English
speakers, while others gain at least momentary and broad acceptance. And it maybe that a speci c audience will be attuned to some slang and tolerant of it in any circumstance. Moreover, the very unacceptability and limitedness of slang can make it an attention-getter that you can use for
emphasis, or you can use it for
rhetorical, humorous, or other effect.
The point is to make sure that any words or
phrases that could hinder communication or even o end an audience or part of it are chosen consciously and with recognition that a risk of incomprehension or rejection is being run. In this regard, slang should be treated with the same care as
colloquial words,
expletives,dialect, jargon,
foreign terms, and other language that might not be understood or approved. Be cautious, sure of your audience, and willing to be misunderstood. Or don’t use slang.
The line between the various categories of words or phrases with special or limited use or currency blurs and is of little consequence outside the
grammar classroom. The point is that all these vocabularies have purpose and pitfalls that
must be attended to in writing, checking, revising, and rewriting. See
revision and
editing.Share with your friends: 
