SLANG, a word originally borrowed from the gypsy tongue, where it is used for the secret language of that tribe. In its usual signification it denotes a burlesque style of conversational language, originally found only among the vulgar, but now more or less in use in this country among persons in a variety of walks in life. It is somewhat allied to, though not identical with, cunt French argot), the language used for purposes of concealment by thieves and vagrants of all descriptions.
Slang is not exclusively of modern date. It wa_s known in the classic ages of Greece and Rome, and abounds in the writings of Aristophanes, Plautus, Tereni:e, and Martial. Every modern European language has its slang. In oumcountry, the " rump." the " bar.ebones parliament," the terms "Roundheads," "Puritans,' "Quakers," all be longed to the slang of the 17th century. Iludibras and dramatic works of last cen tury abound' in slang. Old English slang was coarser thou that now in but the greater portion of its phraseology had a somewhat restricted circulation, not permeating every species of conversation to the extent that modern slang dues, Toward the close of last century the slang vocabulary received large additions from puzinsm, racing, and "fast life;" and its fashionable vulgarisms came into great falior dining the minority of the prince regent. In the present the growth of refinement in manners aud ideas has not banished slang. but given it a more familiar and utilitarian character, while it has been introduced iu some measure into circles where it was formerly unknown.
Slang consists in part of new words, and in part of words of the legitimate language invested with new meanings, such as are assigned to the verbs to cut, to do. Many slang expressions are derived front thieves' cant, and some from the gypsy tongue. Their derivations are often indirect, arising out of fanciful allusions and • metaphors, which scion pass out of the public mind, the word remaining, while its origin is forgotten. The origin of mach of the current slang may be traced to the nniversiiies of Oxford and Cambridge, and the great public schools of England. There is not an institution con nected with the university which has not its slang equivalent (e.g , "plucked," "little go").
There is a slang. attached to various professions, occupations, and classes, of society. The slang of English fashionable life and fashionable novels comprises a number of French words and phrases, whose application is often very different from what is cur rent in France. The beau monde, a chaperon, a marriage tssin; o a the tapis, are expres sions which, in their English sense, are utterly unknown iu Paris. To the slang of military life Hindustani has contributed its quota of words, imported by effteers who have resided long in India. We have also parliamentary slang, religious slang, literary slaws, civic slang, and shopkeepers' slang.—Many curious details regarding slang in all its departments are to be foam' in [Totten's &Lag M.Ctionary (faintl.,1855).