TOPIC: Slang English Lessons Series 1

In this free English lesson you are going to learn some more American slang. Remember, you don't need to use all of these words, but it will help if you understand these slang words and phrases - especially if you watch American movies or drama.

my jam (exp.): the thing I like; something that interests or excites me
Examples
1. Cheese and wine - now that’s my jam!
2. See that dapper guy over there? He’s my jam.
3. Jazz is really your jam? Hmm, sounds sus to me.

F.O.M.O. (acronym): fear of missing out.
Note: pronounced as one word - fomo
Examples
1. Many researchers link FOMO to the rise of Facebook and other form of SNS
2. So many people suffer from FOMO these days.
3. Marketing is often based on the concept of FOMO.

For real? (exp.): used to ask if something is true
Examples
1. You went to Disneyland, for real? I heard that place is fire!
2. You and Jeff broke up, for real? Sorry to hear that.
3. For real? You really won the lotto? That’s wicked!



hella (adv./determiner): extremely (generally used for emphasis); a lot or many
Examples
1. I’m hella scared of heights, so if we’re going rock climbing I think I’ll bounce.
2. Bruno Mars always gets hella airplay on the radio.
3. That movie was hella dope.

That was one hella good lesson! Great job for studying today - you guys are dope!

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In this free English lesson you will learn some common American slang words and expressions you can use in a range of different situations. We will also teach you a very common British slang word that you can use to describe things that are not so good.



for real (exp.): used to express something is true; definitely (used to add emphasis)
Examples
1. He is super shady, for real!
2. Jazz is my jam, for real!
3. This time I’ll pay, for real!

rad (adj.): awesome; cool or trendy (an older slang term that is coming back in fashion)
Examples
1. Damn! This scooter is rad! Totally old-school!
2. Your dad is so rad. I didn’t know he was such a badass surfer.
3. Most of your clothes are pretty naff, but that shirt is rad. Where did you get it?

naff (adj.): not cool; unsophisticated; not good quality (often of an idea or product).
Note: “Naff” is a British slang term. “Naff” is similar to the slang term “basic”.
Examples
1. Most pop music is pretty naff, but BTS is wicked!
2. Your taste in music is naff.
3. That dinner you cooked yesterday way pretty naff; no offence.

bromance (n.): a close but nonsexual relationship between two men. Note: The female equivalent is a “womance”.
Examples
1. I think it is sweet Mary and Jane are having a womance.
2. Matt Damon and Ben Affleck have a sweet bromance going on.
3. Where is Ben tonight? Is he coming or is the bromance between you two over?



You guys are wicked – for real! Thanks for studying with us. Have a great day.

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In this slang lesson you should notice that intonation and the way you use slang is very important. Keep an eye out for the example of irony and the way the word awkward in pronounced.

no offence (exp.): often used after someone says something offensive and then wants to distance themselves from any blame or criticism; often used before someone gives their opinion, but wants immunity from any blowback
Examples
1. That skirt looks terrible; no offence.
2. No offence, but that idea is stupid.
3. No offence, but I really don’t want to meet your friends tonight. They are such losers.

beast (n.): a very strong or physically fit person; a person who never gives up; a very talented person
Examples
1. Tyson Fury is a beast in the boxing ring!
2. You studied for 36 hours straight? Dude, you’re a beast!
3. I am a bit of a cleaning beast. I can’t stand mess.

weak (interjection/reaction.): used to say something is funny (often used in an ironic sense) or someone/something makes you laugh.
Note: The word “weak” is probably a shortened of the phrase “weak at the knees”, meaning to be so emotionally affected that you can’t stand up.
Examples
1. I hope Bill is coming tonight. That guy makes me weak.
2. (Laughing uncontrollably) I’m weak! I love it.
3. Oh, you’re a real comedian. Your jokes make me weak. (Note: Used ironically)

awkward (adj.): although technically not a slang term, the word “awkward” is used to describe an uncomfortable situation between two or more people.
Note: Often, when people say awkward, they use a very theatrical and expressive tone.
Examples
1. Situation: Meeting an old partner in the street while with your new partner.
Jeff: Oh, Sarah. Hi, how, how are you doing?
Sarah: Yeah, fine thanks. You?
Jeff: Good.
Sarah: Great. And who is this?
Jeff: Oh, this is my, um, my friend Jessica.
Jessica: Hi ya.
Sarah: So you’re the new girlfriend?
Jessica: Yeah, I guess.
Sarah: Awwwkwaaard! Because I’m the ex. You two have a good day.

2. Situation: Asking someone how their job is the day after they got fired.
Ben: Hey, long time no see. How’s the job going? Still enjoying it?
Steve: Actually, I got fired yesterday.
Ben: Oh, I’m sorry. I didn’t know.
Gary: Awwwkwaaard!

3. Situation: People talking about politics.
Harry: All politicians are shady.
Greg: No. Not all of them. Some are good.
Harry: No, all of them. They are all pigs.
Dave: My father is a politician.
Greg: Awwwkward!

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Learning how to use English slang is going to help you understand the way native English-speakers talk in many social contexts. Remember, you don't have to use the slang you learn, but it does help to at least know what English slang words and phrases mean.



Just sayin’ (exp.): used after saying something mean or controversial to remove one’s self from blame or criticism (generally used at the end of the statement).
Note: Similar to “no offence”
Examples
1. Your team sucks! Just sayin’.(i.e. Your team sucks! No offence.)
2. I think your choice in fashion is pretty wack; just sayin’.
3. I think the current government is naff; just sayin’

fam (n.): short for “family” – but used to refer to people you are very close to (i.e. your good friends).
Note: Often used in writing and text messages.
Examples
1. What up, fam. How’s your day?
2. (Text message) Thanks for the gift, fam. It was wicked.
3. No offence, fam, but this music you’re playing is wack.

wack (adj.): terrible; not good (often used to describe things in pop culture).
Note: A term from the 90s that is still fun to use, especially if you use it in a way that shows you know the term is old (often done by intonation and context)
Examples
1. What is this music? It’s wack! It sounds like something my dad would play.
2. The new album they just dropped is W A C K, wack!
3. What!? How can you say BTS are wack? Those guys are rad!!!

cabbage (n.): money (used to refer to money in general)
Examples
1. Lookin’ dapper! How much cabbage you drop on that suit?
2. Steve, got any cabbage? I left my wallet at the office.
3. Situation: A friend is asking to borrow money from his friend.
Ben: Any chance you can spot me some cabbage until tomorrow?
Jerry: Sure, fam. How much you need?

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We hope the following American slang lessons help you understand the way people speak in a range of casual situations.

Don’t trip (exp.): don’t stress; don’t get upset or angry.
Note: “Trip” means to get upset or angry.
Examples
1. Don’t trip about the exam, it’ll be easy.
2. If I tell you something do you promise not to trip?
3. Situation: A guy is getting upset with his friend.
Josh: To me, Parasite was overrated.
Luke: What!? Dude, you need to get your head checked. That movie was badass.
Josh: Nah, I don’t think so. Totally overrated; I’m just sayin’.
Luke: Overrated!? Just sayin’!? Are you a moron?
Josh: Hey, I’m just voicing my opinion. Don’t trip.

Hashtag (thing you want to emphasize) (exp.): say “hashtag (something)” when you wish to emphasize something (often used to mock someone). This style of speaking is really only used in jest.
Note: In reference to Twitter and the idea of using a hashtag (#) to draw attention to a post.
Examples
1. I can’t believe you broke my phone! Hashtag, not happy!
2. Check out my rad new glasses… at hashtag, lookin’ dope!
3. Situation: Waiting a long time for a coffee at the café.
Julie: Oh, finally! Here comes the server with our coffees.
Danny: (Sips coffee) Oh, it’s burnt. How’s yours?
Danny: (Tastes coffee) Jeez! At hashtag, not worth the wait.

woke (adj.): alert to injustice in society, especially racism; aware of a current political or social issues.
Note: This term is often used to criticize those who are considered too politically correct, especially if the person talking about a social or political issue is doing so in a banal way.
Examples
1. Wow, Steve! You are so woke. I didn’t know racism existed. (Note: Ironic useage)
2. I try to get my students to stay woke to social issues.
3. Most politicians try to show they are woke to social and economic inequality.

leech (n.): a person who constantly takes from others without giving anything in return; someone who tries to hang with the popular crowd or popular person; a guy who spends all of his time at the bar trying to get the attention of a lady.
Note: A “leech” is a bloodsucking parasite.
Examples
1. Steve is a bit of a leech; he never pays for anything when we go out.
2. Look at that leech at the bar. Can’t he take a hint? She’s not interested.
3. Celebrities are often surrounded by leeches.

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