About the book
Slang is often seen as a lesser form of language, one that is simply not as meaningful or important as its 'regular' counterpart. Connie Eble refutes this notion as she reveals the sources, poetry, symbolism, and subtlety of informal slang expressions. In Slang and Sociability, Eble explores the words and phrases that American college students use casually among themselves. Based on more than 10,000 examples submitted by Eble’s students at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill over the last twenty years, the book shows that slang is dynamic vocabulary that cannot be dismissed as deviant or marginal. Like more formal words and phrases, slang is created, modified, and transmitted by its users to serve their own purposes. In the case of college students, these purposes include cementing group identity and opposing authority. The book includes a glossary of the more than 1,000 slang words and phrases discussed in the text, as well as a list of the 40 most enduring terms since 1972. Examples from the glossary: group gropes — encounter groups squirrel kisser — environmentalist Goth — student who dresses in black and listens to avant-garde music bad bongos — situation in which things do not go well triangle — person who is stupid or not up on the latest za — pizza smoke — to perform well dead soldier — empty beer container toast — in big trouble, the victim of misfortune parental units — parents
Editions of Slang and Sociability
- Hardcover
- ISBN 9780807822791
- Paperback
- ISBN 9780807845844
- EBook
- ISBN 9781469610573
- PDF
- ISBN 9798890875174
Read an Excerpt
Slang is often seen as a lesser form of language, one that is simply not as meaningful or important as its 'regular' counterpart. Connie Eble refutes this notion as she reveals the sources, poetry, symbolism, and subtlety of informal slang expressions. In Slang and Sociability, Eble explores the words and phrases that American college students use casually among themselves. Based on more than 10,000 examples submitted by Eble’s students at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill over the last twenty years, the book shows that slang is dynamic vocabulary that cannot be dismissed as deviant or marginal. Like more formal words and phrases, slang is created, modified, and transmitted by its users to serve their own purposes. In the case of college students, these purposes include cementing group identity and opposing authority. The book includes a glossary of the more than 1,000 slang words and phrases discussed in the text, as well as a list of the 40 most enduring terms since 1972. Examples from the glossary: group gropes — encounter groups squirrel kisser — environmentalist Goth — student who dresses in black and listens to avant-garde music bad bongos — situation in which things do not go well triangle — person who is stupid or not up on the latest za — pizza smoke — to perform well dead soldier — empty beer container toast — in big trouble, the victim of misfortune parental units — parents
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Slang and Sociability about?
Slang is often seen as a lesser form of language, one that is simply not as meaningful or important as its 'regular' counterpart. Connie Eble refutes this notion as she reveals the sources, poetry, symbolism, and subtlety of informal slang expressions. In Slang and Sociability, Eble explores the words and phrases that American college students use casually among themselves. Based on more than 10,000 examples submitted by Eble’s students at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill over the last twenty years, the book shows that slang is dynamic vocabulary that cannot be dismissed as deviant or marginal. Like more formal words and phrases, slang is created, modified, and transmitted by its users to serve their own purposes. In the case of college students, these purposes include cementing group identity and opposing authority. The book includes a glossary of the more than 1,000 slang words and phrases discussed in the text, as well as a list of the 40 most enduring terms since 1972. Examples from the glossary: group gropes — encounter groups squirrel kisser — environmentalist Goth — student who dresses in black and listens to avant-garde music bad bongos — situation in which things do not go well triangle — person who is stupid or not up on the latest za — pizza smoke — to perform well dead soldier — empty beer container toast — in big trouble, the victim of misfortune parental units — parents
What core themes, tropes, or subjects are explored in Slang and Sociability?
Language and Linguistics > Language: reference and general
Where can I read a sample of Slang and Sociability?
You can read an official preview of the few pages here https://www.book2look.com/book/9780807822791
How long is Slang and Sociability and how many pages does it have?
Slang and Sociability has 240 page(s)
Who is/are the Author/s of the book Slang and Sociability?
Connie Eble
What are the ISBN numbers for the physical and digital editions?
Slang and Sociability is available as hardcover(ISBN 9780807822791) and paperback(ISBN 9780807845844) and ebook(ISBN 9781469610573) and pdf(ISBN 9798890875174)
Where can I buy Slang and Sociability online or support local independent bookshops?
You can buy Slang and Sociability from below
Where can I buy Slang and Sociability?