From the evolution of the caveman’s grunt, communication continues to be an important factor of life. The need to speak and be understood is a given, as is the confidence in knowing you know how to speak your native language. And why wouldn’t you; you have only been talking since babe hood!
Beyond the correctable slang, everyone knows how to speak their native language. Or do they? We all remember those English childhood corrections such as “don’t say ain’t” or use “be” for the word “is.” We were told our level of intelligence was based upon how we spoke, with seemingly “ghetto” tags placed upon those who dared talk otherwise. Just watch an old episode of The Andy Griffith Show or the Beverly Hillbillies, and you will know exactly what I am talking about.
In England there exists such a thing as the “Proper Queen’s English,” dating back to the prim and proper language of the well educated upper class. Depending on the words and twang of your slang, one is judged accordingly by the way one sounds and speaks.
Well, the world has changed and so has our “lingo.” Up to sixty something years ago you were un-coot, un-educated, and un-popular here in the States if you spoke any differently than your educated neighbor. Words were a proper and sure thing one never had to worry about. Then came the 1950’s new media blitz, with Elvis Presley gyrating and singing the word “aint!”
Followed by the 1960’s Beatles and Mod music, creating and popularizing that new word “groovy!” (I wonder if they took it from the grooves of a record?)
Bursting on to the 1970’s “psychedelic” scene with words like “heavy,” which suddenly also meant wonderful or terrible, depending on how you used it.
To the 1980’s, and the San Fernando “Valley Girl” fer sure it’s so groody to the max!
Lest we forget the 1990’s “grunge” to describe the new genre movement and mentality.
Which leads us into today, with that new media word “bogo.” Although Payless Shoe store popularized it as “buy one, get one free,” bogo now applies to any thing having to do with getting a really great deal!
But I am not a “biz” girl; I am a “creative” chick soaking in the new lingo of my music industry “surroundings.”
“Words to memorize - Words make my mouth exercise” â The Violent Femmes
From the birth of those totally “fly” Jazz music men of the early 1900’s, musicians have and continue to speak in the somewhat truly bizarre lingo of their creation:
An entertaining example of such early 1900’s fly slang would be the following:
- Annie = Comp ticket
Big supper club juke tonight, got’s to get me an Annie!
Sharp shooter and main attraction in the no color lines Buffalo Bill’s Wild West Show, Annie Oakley wowed the crowd by flinging a playing card into the air and shooting out the spots. The end results resembling a punched out ticket, such as one received after admission to a show.
Via the internet, today’s perplexing new words have seeped into our daily vocabulary becoming very much the norm. Don’t be surprised if, while at a gig, you have absolutely no idea what the topic of the conversation truly is.
Plain ol’ English, peeps, it’s so not what it used to be!
Having found myself in awkward verbal situations, I took mental notes. After all when I interview bands I can not be left wondering what on earth the artist is saying to me, or anyone else I converse with for that matter.
Currently in use and spoken often, new words transcend age and cultures. Should you find yourself bewildered, nod and smile a lot while appearing knowledgeable. Reply “Yeah, yeah,” and lock your face into an ‘I know exactly what you are talking about’ expression. Throw in a few “what up with that” with “word,” and you will do just fine!
But never fear, for brand new vocabulary help is here!
The following words are guaranteed to enrich your already too hip for the room persona:
“Some that you recognize, some that you’ve hardly even heard of” â The Kinks
IRS = Income Removal System = Sucks
- Five parking tickets! Man, this gig turned out to be a total IRS!
Ice Maker = The complete opposite of ice breaker- a third and awkward party.
- Man I was scoring, until Dan the ice maker froze my move!
Postgame = The late early morning party held after the early late night after party.
- Dude, like she totally invited us to the postgame at her house!
Moneymoon = Passing of time after a purchase, before the buyer’s remorse.
- I dug this wawa pedal at Guitar Center, but the moneymoon is so over.
Sic or Sick = Too hip for the room version of the flu-a totally awesome winner-the best in show.
- Check that drum solo-Man, that dude is totally sic!
B-Dude = A total babe of the male species-a really good looking guy.
- Oh m g, oh m g, the bass player is like a total B-Dude!
Awesomeness = Something which is very awesome, the ultimate.
- 25 percent of the bar and door? Awesomeness!
With sarcastic use, not awesome whatsoever…
- What, no bar percentage? Awesomeness!
Client Number Nine1: Tag given to New York Governor Elliot Spitzer by the Emperor’s Club VIP.
- Reserve the usual for Spitzer, client number 9.
2: Anyone of high society standing where situations dictate discretion.
- Paris, client number nine totally ate our van. Quick, call TMZ!
Boo = Boyfriend or girlfriend.
- He can’t handle it, no way he be my boo!
Boo = Scary monsters and super freaks.
- Ex alert in the house tonight, total boo!
Twork = The shaking and rubbing of your backside against another’s backside or bar stool.
- Omg, look at that chick totally twork it for the singer!
Fornever = Never occurring, with a non-existent period of time.
- This band rocked last year-but now, fornever!
Freak Flag = Characteristic mannerism or appearance implying eccentric or unconventional mindset.
- The singer is such B-Dude material, but a total freak flag!
Slacktivism = Act of participating in something absolutely pointless.
- No thanks; bookin’ this band is obvious slacktivism.
Stay Shy = Act of non-participation while leaving them guessing.
- They said Monday, but I’m stayin’ shy for a weekend gig.
Williams = Money. Derived from the slang word “bills” for paper currency.
- Made enough williams for Denny’s tonight!
Come Correct = Acting in a most respectful manner, so to avoid being disrespected.
- Gotta’ come correct if we wanna’ gig here again!
Bend The Block = Cruising for the opposite sex, with speakers set on mind blast.
- Bend the block after the gig, see if we can find a postgame!
Fake The Funk = Acting in a most loving manner, so to get what you want.
- Fake the funk with security tonight, gatta’ get the chicks in.
Bad Fuel Day = Impending doom one experiences after having driven anywhere lately.
- Spent twenty and made fifty, I’m havin’ a bad fuel day!
Slappin’ The A = Throwing in the towel and unhappily going home.
- The worse gig ever-I’m slappin’ the A, and we out!
Cho = Derived in 1971 from the word “Your.”
- Richard Roundtree’s Shaft is one bad Shut cho mouth!
Peoples = Slang for parent or guardian.
- Gonna’ play extra tight tonight; my peoples are in the house.
Ripe = Unpleasant realities.
- Spent ten willies to get in, and this band is so totally ripe!
Ice Cold = According to Andre 2000 from Outcast â “Ice Cold is cooler than cool,” as the word cool has suddenly become not so hot to drop.
- Ice cold new words, can’t wait to generate the verbal excitement!
“Talk, talk, small talk, talk that trash” â King Crimson
Ah yeah, It’s all talk!
Word to the wise!
All band photos by Wikipedia
Featured photo by Demi-BrookeÂ
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1 response so far ↓
1 Seraphina // May 27, 2008 at 11:37 pm
Informative and amusing. You really know your vernacular. Great lyric quotes and editorial!
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