Avoiding slang

Slang is an informal and sometimes private vocabulary that expresses the solidarity of a group such as teenagers, rock musicians, or football fans. Slang changes more rapidly than Standard English.

Sometimes slang becomes so widespread that it is accepted as standard vocabulary. Jazz, for example, started as slang but is now generally accepted to describe a style of music.

Although slang has a certain vitality, it is a code that not everyone understands, and it is very informal. Therefore, it is inappropriate in most written work.

Exercise: Jargon, pretentious language, euphemisms, and doublespeak 1

Exercise: Jargon, pretentious language, euphemisms, and doublespeak 2