Morphology/

Semantics Activity
By:Alyssa Elias
 Slang in 2022
Teenagers are often faced with the trouble of trying to fit in. When kids are
able to use “cool” phrases or terms with their peers, it can help them to feel
like they belong. During adolescence, young adults have this innate longing to
belong to a group, so by using words or phrases that their peers are using,
they may find a sense of belonging.
I remember using different slang words when I was growing up and thinking
that I was so cool. When my parents would ask what a particular phrase
meant, I would roll my eyes and say “you would not understand.” When I was
observing the young group of kids, I remember asking them if certain words
were still a thing, and I was meet with a similar sarcastic remark like “Wow
no one says that now a days.”

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This activity related to our readings in a variety of
different ways. I realized that young adults often
use slang terms in order to fit into different groups,
and our book talks about that as well. “ As a marker
of group identity during a limited stage of life such
as early adolescence, slang expressions can “grow
old” rather quickly.” (Yule 2018) I also discovered
that teens tend to use a variety of different
morphemes in order to create new words.

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 Classroom Application

I will try my best to try to understand new

terms and phrases being used by my
students, although we all know just how
quickly something becomes old and
uncool. I will keep in mind that slang has a
variety of different meanings, and I should
be careful to use them in the correct and
appropriate way.

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 Purr
Definition/Use: another way to show excitement or
support. Often used by itself or at the end of a
sentence to give emphasis.

Sentence: That shirt is so cute! PURR!

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 It’s Giving

Definition/Use: A way to describe something that is really

unique or interesting.

Sentence: I really like that bag, it’s giving!

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 Bussin
Definition/Use: A way to describe something that is really
good.

Sentence: My mom made some chicken last night and it was

bussin.

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 Thirteenth
Reason
Definition/Use: Something that pushes you over the edge.

Sentence: OMG Mrs.Elias really assigned another essay, that

was my thirteenth reason.

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 Periodt
Defintion/Use: When someone explains that
they are done with something, used to
exaggerate their point.

Sentence: I am never drinking again periodt.

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 Goat
Definition: Greatest of all time

Sentence: Kobe Bryant was the GOAT.

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 Cap
Definition: You’re lying

Sentence: You said that purse is real? That’s

cap.

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 Snatched
Defintion: On point

Sentence: Your waist is looking snatched in that

dress.

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 Hits Different
Definition: It is out of the ordinary

Sentence: Mc Donalds coke just hits

different.

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 Bet

Definition: Okay

Sentence: “We should go out for dinner

tonight.”
“Bet.”

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References:

Yule, G. (2016). The Study of Language (6th Edition). Cambridge

University Press.
https://online.vitalsource.com/books/9781316776124

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