Buzz
Languages are often rough around the edges, torn, and intertwined in ways that make it difficult to distinguish them from one another. It's within this complex space where slang thrives—an ever-evolving collection of expressions, words, and quirky grammar rules that, depending on one's viewpoint, may either degrade, oversimplify, and diminish a language or infuse it with the vibrancy and playfulness that prevents it from becoming stale and purely functional.
Here’s a roundup of some of the most bizarre, coolest, and hardest-to-understand expressions spoken in everyday places; from the streets, cantinas, and pubs to coffee shops, farms, and the decks of fishing vessels; and seldom, if ever, in academic corridors or textbooks.
10. Sigogglin – Appalachian English, USA
Appalachian dialects are among the oldest in the U.S., with some of the most ancient forms of English still in use today. Remarkably, many people continue to speak this dialect, preserving words that are foreign to most English speakers, but living alongside the broader Southern U.S. speech. What’s unique about this dialect is that its words often mimic the essence of what they describe, without the use of onomatopoeia. For example, a 'jag' means a small portion of something, a 'gaum' refers to a mess, and 'foxfire' describes bioluminescent plants or animals. Short, yet beautiful.
Take 'Sigogglin' (also known as 'antigoglin'); this term refers to something that is off-kilter or askew—a blend of 'side' and 'goggling.' It could describe a crooked cabinet or a muddy incline that one has to navigate. Both would be considered a bit sigogglin. Also, consider the term 'slaunchwise,' as in: 'I mounted that shelf a bit slaunchwise, and now my books keep falling off.' To which someone might reply, 'Wait, you mean it’s sigogglin, right? Please, speak properly, my good man.'
9. Dwankie – 'Zef' Dialect, South Africa
Zef represents a captivating subculture in South Africa. Many low-income countercultures or 'street cultures' globally tend to arise as reactions to social decay and limited opportunities ('gopniks' in Russia, 'chavs' in Britain, and 'eshay/bogans' in New Zealand and Australia). However, Zef culture is unique in that it is more playful, leaning on self-parody and responding to the experience of being an Afrikaner in post-Apartheid South Africa. It’s a complex and bold expression—more 'white trash sculptors' than just 'white trash.'
Some words in the Zef version of code-switching between Afrikaans and English reflect this playful attitude, mocking the primness, religious conservatism, and the rigid expectations of previous generations. 'Dwankie' is a perfect example of this provocative use of language – a mix of 'downie' (a derogatory term related to Downs Syndrome) and 'wanker' (an English insult referring to masturbation—edgy, right?).
The term 'dwankie' refers to a person or situation that drains the fun from any activity the speaker wants to engage in. 'You don’t want to go to the party? That’s dwankie. You’re dwankie.' The fusion of Afrikaans, English, and other African languages creates a vibrant and energetic dialect, particularly when you consider the subculture's focus on souped-up cars, gold chains, and the outlandish music of bands like Die Antwoord.
8. Zhooshy – Polari, England
Languages and slangs often emerge naturally, developing over time as different cultures intermingle and pass through a community, gradually making their way into modern speech. Some dialects, however, arise out of necessity. Many 'thieves' argots' were created over time as secret vocabularies used by criminals to identify one another or conceal their illicit activities. 'Polari' is somewhat different because it was designed to mask not a crime of action, but simply the act of being gay. A blend of Italian, Cockney rhyming slang, Portuguese, Greek, Romani, and Yiddish (essentially all the languages spoken in London's East End from the 1700s through the early 20th century).
Words like 'naff' (meaning something a bit tacky or kitschy), 'barney' (meaning a fight), and 'clobber' (meaning clothing) have made their way into the wider English language. Unfortunately, words like 'zhooshy' have not. It simply means 'showy,' and in fact, it’s a much more 'zhooshy' way of saying it, don’t you agree? While Polari has mostly faded from use, its influence on the English language in England still lingers to this day.
Fantabulosa!
7. Cachgi Bwm/Cont y Môr – Wenglish/Welsh, Wales
Welsh is full of beautifully untranslatable words, with 'Hiraeth' being the most notable (a deep, melancholic longing for a place or time that’s gone, wrapped in both heartache and nostalgic sweetness). Even many Wenglish terms carry highly specific meanings. Take 'Cwtch,' arguably the most iconic Wenglish word, which is akin to a hug but deeper, longer, and far more meaningful. While you can hug just about anyone, only someone who truly loves you can give you a cwtch.
In Welsh, there is no true swearing. Instead, one must get particularly inventive with insults, often describing what another person's mother might be up to on a Saturday night... It appears that the animal kingdom receives special mention in this department.
'Cachgi bwm' ('sh*t-dog a**hole') is a South Walian term for a bumblebee. Anyone who has been stung by one of these little 'diawled' (devils) would agree this term is fitting. The same applies to the jellyfish found in the shallow waters off North Wales. Legend has it that a Gog (a person from North Wales) was swimming near Anglesey when he was stung by a jellyfish. He shouted, 'Cont!' (Yes, you guessed it), prompting his mother to scold him for using foul language in Wenglish. He then clarified that he was simply using the creature's true, scientific name—'Cont y Môr,' meaning a 'C*** of the Seas.' Perfectly accurate.
6. Tapiru – Gyaru-Go, Japan
Many associate Tokyo’s Harajuku district with extravagant, colorful makeup and doll-like attire worn by quirky young women. This is an accurate description… or it was two decades ago. The once-vibrant, bold style of feminine dress has since fallen out of favor in Japan. However, some women still cling to the early 2000s subcultures that once ruled the capital city.
'Gyaru' girls, known for their dark brown makeup, white-eye highlights, and unapologetically feminine outfits (very Jersey Shore-esque), are nearly extinct 'in the wild,' but their language lives on. In fact, this simplified text speech is thriving. The perfect example of this is 'tapiru'—simply a verb derived from 'tapioca.' What does it mean? Considering the immense popularity of bubble tea in East Asia, particularly among young women, having a specific word to describe the act of buying and consuming the cold, sweet, chewy beverage is spot on. Does the West have a term like this for a Frappuccino? Nope!
Take that, Starbucks!
5. 'A Tradie with His Stubbie in a Ute' – Strine Slang, Australia
In addition to its deadly wildlife, an almost obsessive passion for ball sports that cause brain injuries, and the unmistakable resemblance to drunken Cockneys, Australia is well-known for slapping an 'ee' sound onto shortened words—or just shortening them entirely. A 'tradie' is a tradesman, a 'stubbie' refers to a stubby can of beer, and a 'ute' is short for a utility vehicle.
Add a pack of 'bickies' (biscuits) and a trip to the local 'macca’s' (McDonald's), followed by a stop at the 'bottle-o' (liquor store), and you're in for a good day.
Or just a simple 'G'day, Mate.'
4. 'Tabarnak!' – Quebecois/Joual, Canada
Many say, 'If you want to hear what French sounded like in the 14th century, head to Quebec!' This isn't an insult—the Quebecois dialect is very close to older forms of French. This is particularly evident in their most infamous curse words. They’re all tied to religion!
'Tabarnak,' 'Câlice,' and 'Baptême' are the most vulgar of them all, likely to get you punched in the face if you throw them at a random person in Montreal. These words refer to the tabernacle, the chalice, and baptism. The deep historical influence of Catholicism, combined with the sacrilegious use of these terms outside of sacred church contexts, elevates these religious words to the level of super-swears ('Tabarnak' is basically Quebecois for 'F*ck').
Also, you might hear a Quebecer venting their anger with 'J’ai le feu au cul'… 'I have fire in my ass.' We sincerely hope not.
3. SKSKSKSK – Gen Z English-Speaking Internet Slang, the Interwebs
Older generations often look at Gen Z and claim that their increasing use of emojis and meme-based communication is leading to a more superficial form of social interaction. Some argue that even Ray Bradbury and Aldous Huxley should be brought back to remind the youth what the word 'fiction' in 'science fiction' truly means...
One of the prime examples of this perceived degeneration is the frequent typing of 'SKSKSKSKSKSK.' It’s a simple exclamation of excitement, symbolizing the distorted feedback noise heard when a Twitch streamer gets too loud near a microphone. It’s a fitting metaphor for this new, supposedly 'lost' generation.
Perhaps we’re wrong to focus on Bradbury and Huxley. Maybe we should turn to the Wachowskis—when the Metaverse becomes a reality, perhaps we can harness these kids as a new source of energy...
2. 'En rosin i polsen' – Norwegian, Norway
Is your friend an 'alkis' with a 'sig' dangling from the corner of his mouth? Are you really 'keen' to check out the fjords (though, maybe don’t let your 'alkis' friend be the one driving the boat)? Never been to Norway? 'Serr?'
Much like many European languages, Norwegian slang often consists of shortened versions of longer words. For example, 'alkis' is short for alcoholic, 'sig' for cigarette, and 'serr' for serious/seriously. You might notice that these slang terms have English equivalents, which highlights how closely Norwegian relates to English, a Germanic language. This commonality between the two becomes clear when you look at the slang. In fact, the influence of English and American culture is deeply woven into the language, especially since many Norwegians speak fluent English. 'Keen' is actually a direct loanword from English, now commonly used in Norway’s youth slang.
However, Norwegian is its own beast and contains some quirky expressions that only make sense in a Nordic setting. For instance, if you encounter something unexpectedly pleasant, you might exclaim, 'En rosin i polsen' (like finding a raisin in the sausage)...
If someone tries to pitch you a business idea for eco-friendly T-shirts made from leftover ham, you'd respond, 'Har durøykasokkadine?' (have you been smoking your socks?).
OK, Norway.
1. 'The patient has come in with a UBI, appears NFN' – Medical Slang, British Hospitals
There’s more to nationalized healthcare than just affordable, easily accessible medical treatment. Since everyone contributes to the healthcare system through their taxes, it’s hard to fault medical staff for giving the side-eye to patients who show up in the ER with injuries or conditions that could have been avoided. In an effort to avoid offending these patients, NHS workers have created a kind of shorthand to talk about them behind their backs: 'UBI' refers to an Unexplained Beer Injury, 'PAFO' is for someone who was Pissed and Fell Over, and 'GROLIES' is a term for a middle-class individual who thinks they’re cleverer than they are (Guardian Reader of Low Intelligence in Ethnic Skirt).
One term that is both charmingly British and deeply insulting is 'NFN' – Normal for Norfolk. Norfolk, an isolated rural area, is often stereotyped as home to inbred farm boys. As the fictional Alan Partridge once quipped, 'I’ve seen the big-eared boys on farms.' A lovely thought.
