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Learn English Slang with Hilarious Buzzfeed Articles: 21 SlangWords You’ve Got to Know

It’s time for a pop quiz, English learners.

Which of the following phrases do you recognize?

“What’s up?”

“You are killin’ it!”

“Can I get an amen?”

These are called slang words, which are very common in spoken English.

If you have heard all these phrases before, then you have probably spent time abroad in an English speakingcountry.

Or maybe you spend a lot of time watching American sitcoms and studying your English slang.

If you are a non-native speaker and come across these words, you may take them all literally.

For example, when someone asks you “what’s up?” you may actually look up and tell them what you see up there.

Or if someone tells you “you’re killin’ it!” you might actually defend yourself and say that you’re not killing anything.

As you can see, when people use American slang words there can be a communication problem between you and theperson you’re talking to.

However, slang words and phrases like these are very common in casual, conversational English.

That’s why it’s very important for you to learn about English slang too.

Why Learn English Slang from Hilarious Buzzfeed Articles?

The definition of slang? “Slang” means: very informal words or phrases that are used in casual speech.

There are two very easy ways to learn English slang.

One way is to read slang words over and over again.

The second way is to use them often in your daily conversations.

Since everyone loves going online to casually read the latest news, gossip or information about anything, slang wordscan be read frequently online.

The internet is full of slang.

One of the best online places to learn English slang is Buzzfeed.

Do you know what Buzzfeed is?

It is a site that provides hilarious and entertaining articles. The articles are quiteinformal and they target a modern audience. The articles often include slangwords too, which means that Buzzfeed articles can be great for slang practice.

Reading Buzzfeed can be a big help in getting you familiarized with slang words,what they mean and how they’re used. After you get accustomed to seeing slang all the time, you’ll eventually bemore comfortable using it when you speak and write in English.

Buzzfeed articles are not only funny, but they can be a place of learning for non-native English speakers.

It is unlike any boring English class or lesson that you will have to go through. Plus, constantly reading new articleswill help expand your vocabulary and knowledge of the English-speaking world’s popular culture. With Buzzfeed, timeflies by (passes quickly) because you are having tons of fun!

Reading interesting, current articles is an exciting way to learn English.

How to Become Familiar with English Slang

Apart from reading Buzzfeed articles, reading articles about English slang words will help you improve your slangcomprehension (understanding). You may also want to go to YouTube and watch videos that explain slang words andphrases. Participating in online quizzes should be a big help too.

Once you are familiar with the words and can comprehend them quickly, it is time for you to do some actual practice.Whether you are talking to someone face-to-face or chatting online, try to include these slang words in yourconversations. After all, practice does make perfect.

Another excellent way to listen to slang words in context is with FluentU.

FluentU takes real-world English videos—like music videos, movie trailers, news and inspiring talks—and turns theminto personalized language learning lessons.

Slang is used all the time in popular entertainment, so you will hear lots of it while watching these videos. But FluentUis more than just videos to watch.

At FluentU, videos become unique English lessons for every user. The site provides plenty of tools for activelypracticing your English vocabulary and grammar, like interactive subtitles, flashcards, vocabulary lists and more.

Choose videos that work with your learning style, English level and personal interests, and we’ll recommend more foryou so that you can keep learning.

21 English Slang Words to Learn with Hilarious Buzzfeed ArticlesTo get you started in the right direction, here is a list of 21 slang words and phrases that you will often come across inBuzzfeed articles (and in life). The next time you read one, you will immediately understand what it means.

1. Cool

Original meaning: Cool refers to something at a lowtemperature. For example, “I like to keep my beer cool.”

Slang meaning: In the slang world, cool takes on a different meaning. It can mean something awesome, somethingthat you really think is great. It may also express that you are feeling calm and all right.b

For example, “that Iron-Man movie was so cool” or “don’t worry, I’m cool.”

2. Swag

Original meaning: Swag describes a garland (string) of flowersor foliage. For example, “the swag of flowers was beautifullymade.” It can also mean stolen goods.

Slang meaning: Now swag is actually the term used to describesomeone who is cool (see #1) or has a style that is sexy or cool.Common phrases you’ll read are: “that guy has swag” or “I’ve gotmore swag than you do.”

3. Bae

Original meaning: Bae came from the English words baby and babe, which are both used to express affection (love)for your boyfriend or girlfriend. Also interesting but probably not relevant, it means poop in the Danish language.

Slang meaning: Bae refers to a boyfriend, girlfriend or someone you are in a relationship with. It is used to replaceterms like baby, honey, sweetie or my love. Some of the examples you will read are “Bae, I love you so much” or “Ican’t wait to see you, Bae.”

4. Dude/Bruh

Original meaning: Dude means man or guy. It is used very commonly by many Americans. It is more informalthan man or guy.

Bruh comes from the word bro or brother and also means man or guy. However, it is less commonly used and is evenmore informal than dude.

Slang meaning: Dude is used by most Americans in casual conversation. It is also something that surfers, skaters or

hippies use very frequently when talking to one another. For example, “Dude, that’s not cool, dude” or the popularmovie “Dude, Where’s My Car?”

Bruh takes on the same meaning. You can say “ Bruh, I like your hat” or “He’s my bruh.”

5. High

Original meaning: High means to be in a position at a great vertical distance. It sounds complicated, but is verysimple. You probably already know this original meaning, honestly. An example is “the mountain is too high, I don’tthink I can make it to the top.”

Slang meaning: When used informally, high refers to the positive physical feeling that people experience when theytake illegal drugs. It also refers to being overjoyed (extremely happy) with something. Good examples are “I’m so highI can’t even think clearly” or “I’m on a pizza-high right now.”

6. Swole

Original meaning: Swole doesn’t have any original meaning. It is a shortcut for the word swollen , meaning thatsomething has become much larger in size than normal.

Slang meaning: In slang terms, swole actually means to be extremely muscular. You can read people say “wow, thatguy is swole!” or “that workout made him swole.”

7. Thirsty

Original meaning: Thirsty means that you need to drink something. This is an example: “Can I ask for a glass ofwater? I’m really thirsty.”

Slang meaning: Now in English slang, thirsty means a completely different thing. It means that you are desperate forsomething. You can say: “I’m really thirsty for that new iPhone” or “Are you thirsty for some tickets to the show?”

8. On Fleek

Original meaning: There’s no original meaning for the word fleek. It is not related to the word flake or any othersimilar word. It’s a mystery!

Slang meaning: On fleek is 100% English slang. And it’s a brand new slang phrase too—there are plenty of Englishspeakers who do not know what it means yet! That means you are going to be really cool.

The phrase means to be on point, perfect or amazing. Common examples are: “Your eyebrows are on fleek, they arebeautiful” or “her reaction was on fleek!”

9. Low Key

Original meaning: Low key is a phrase that doesn’t have anything to do with a key. There’s no original meaning ofthis phrase. It’s a common English expression all by itself.

Slang meaning: In slang terms, low key means to keep something quiet, secret or discreet. A good example is“Rihanna and Leonard DiCaprio are keeping their relationship low key.”

10. YOLO

Original meaning: YOLO doesn’t originate from something, but it means “You Only Live Once.”

Slang meaning: YOLO is often used when someone wants to do something dangerous, ridiculous or adventurous.For example: “I’m going bungee jumping later, YOLO!”

11. YAAAAAAS

Original meaning: There’s no word in the English dictionary like this. It is distantly related to “yes.”

Slang meaning: Yaaaaaas actually means to be excited about something or to highly agree. You can say: “Mybirthday is tomorrow YAAAAAAAS!” or “YAAAAAAS I’m definitely going with you to the party.”

12. Slay

Original meaning: Slay means to kill something. An example is “The hunter slayed the moose in the forest.”

Slang meaning: Slay takes on a different meaning in the slang world and it does’t involve killing anything. It meansthat you’re doing something amazing or great. Here are some examples: “Man, we slayed that dance number!” or“Lady Gaga’s ‘Edge of Glory,’ slay!”

13. Word

Original meaning: Word means a group of letters that form something that expresses meaning. Everything that youare reading now are words formed into sentences.

Slang meaning: In slang, word means that you agree. Instead of saying “I agree” you say word instead.

14. I Can’t Even

Original meaning: In formal English, people say “I can’t even” at the beginning of a sentence when they areoverwhelmed with something (whether good or bad). For example, “I can’t even imagine losing my phone.” But there

is always a full sentence involved.

Slang meaning: I can’t even in slang means that same thing, except that people don’t say it as a complete sentence.For example, “that Katy Perry song, I can’t even,” or “McDonald’s French fries, I can’t even.”

15. Ship

Original meaning: As you may already know, a ship is a vehicle that travels on water. An example is “that ship ishuge.”

Slang meaning: Nowadays, people use ship when they are supporting a romantic relationship between two peoplethat are often seen on TV shows. A good example is the show “The Vampire Diaries.” Fans of Damon and Elena willsay “I ship Delena.” If they like Stefan and Caroline together, these fans are called “Steroline shippers.”

16. Basic

Original meaning: Basic originally means a starting point or simple. Here are common examples: “That dress ispretty basic” or “the basic of tying ribbons is to learn how to do a knot.”

Slang meaning: When you use basic in slang, it means uninteresting or not amazing. An example is “Starbucksmocha frappucino, basic!”

17. Dead/Died

Original meaning: Dead means lifeless or to have no more life. “Our dog is dead” or “My grandma is dead” are acouple of examples.

Slang meaning: Dead or Died means something is just too overwhelming for you. Here are some examples: “I justsaw Brad Pitt’s new photo, I died” or “Taco Bell’s quesadillas…I’m dead.”

18. Turn Up

Original meaning: Turn up in formal English can simply mean turning up something like the sound volume, making ithigher or louder. You may say “hey, can you turn up the volume a bit? I can’t hear the song.”

Slang meaning: In slang, turn up means to make an appearance. You can say “she turned up at the party eventhough she was not invited.”

19. Can I get an amen?

Original meaning: Can I get an amen? doesn’t mean that you are really asking for a spiritual amen from the personyou are talking to. This phrase is not used in formal conversations.

Slang meaning: Can I get an amen? means that you are asking people to relate to what you’re saying or get them toagree with you. These are some examples: “what Kanye West did at the Grammy Awards was disrespectful to Beck,can I get an amen?” or “waiting in line for hours just to get a drink is crazy, can I get an amen?”

20. Mad

Original meaning: Mad means angry. An example is “I’m still mad at you for leaving me.”

Slang meaning: Mad can mean a lot, tons or something extreme. Here are some good examples: “that kid has maddancing skills” or “it is one mad cold day, today.”

21. Killin’ It/Killed it

Original meaning: Just like the word slay, the phrase killin’ it doesn’t mean that you’re actually killing something.There’s no way to use this phrase formally unless you really mean that you are killing something like “that cockroachis gross, I’m killing it!”

Slang meaning: In slang usage, killin; it means doing something great, good or awesome. Here’s a couple ofexamples: “I was killin’ it tonight at our basketball game” or “mom really killed it tonight when she cooked hermacaroni and cheese specialty.”

The long list may feel like a bit of a challenge at first, but reading and practicing them daily is a must. Later on, you’llfind yourself feeling comfortable using these words and phrases in your informal conversations.

You can even mix and match as needed. For example, “I know I got mad singing skills, I’m totally killin’ it tonight at theconcert. Can I get an amen?”

Practicing English slang will not just help you understand modern informal words, but this will improve youroverall English comprehension as well as widen your vocabulary. Be patient with your learning and you’ll be anawesome English speaker sooner than you think.

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