Translation: Would you like some cake?

Slang is one of the great parts of language because it helps create communities. Even with a shared language like English, there are dozens of terms unique to Brits, Scots, Australians, Americans and more.

A recent article reveals that British slang is declining in use. For example, 60% of UK Gen-Z don’t know the term “lummox” (person of low intelligence, a slight jab used typically in jest). Blimey!

What’s causing this? It’s probably a combination of two trends. One is the rise of social media, like TikTok, that has its own slang terms (ex: “basic”) and internet acronyms (ex: smh). These platforms aren’t nearly as localized as prior pop culture entertainment. 

Another is the decline of distinctly British entertainment. Countries like England used to have very popular TV shows that created new slang terms that were uniquely British. Today streaming services like Netflix want globalized content that has mass appeal, such as Fool Me Once. This means localized shows are struggling to survive.

There are some positives to creating global slang that everyone understands. But language and local culture has always gone hand-in-hand, connecting people and adding extra meaning to how we communicate with each other. I hope slang will continue being used in our increasingly globalized world. It would be a bloody shame if it wasn’t.

Cheerio!

Read more:

Hookway, James. “British Slang Might Not be the Dog’s Bollocks Much Longer”  The Wall Street Journal, 27 July 2024. Available at: https://www.wsj.com/world/uk/british-slang-might-not-be-the-dogs-bollocks-much-longer-bc79c791?st=ivbwioizghajtg5&reflink=article_email_share.

Rosseinsky, Katie. “Are we witnessing the death of ‘distinctive’ British TV?” The Independent, 2 June, 2024. Available at: https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/tv/features/british-tv-distinctive-budget-cuts-mr-bates-itv-b2554351.html?utm_term=Autofeed&utm_medium=Social&utm_source=Twitter#Echobox=1717305724.