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loyalty. Furthermore, Hudson 1996 states that the aspect of using language variety should be suitable to the person addressed or the status of speaker and language
variety must be suitable with certain domain. The example for the aspect influences language variety base on discussion
above is in Javanese community. A young person uses language differently when he she speak to older people and to people in same age. Another example is the use of
Indonesian language as a formal language in school or office, while Javanese language is mostly used in an informal situation.
F. Slang
1. The Definition of Slang
Slang is one of language variant that occurs in American English. Some linguists define slang as follows:
Walter 2004 defines that slang is words used in very informal conversation, unsuitable for the formal situation. Meanwhile, another definition is from
Webster’s new international dictionary which states that “slang is words comprising certain
widely current but usually ephemeral terms especially coined or clipped words in a special senses, or phrases usually metaphors or similes have a forced, fantastic, or
grotesque meaning, or exhibiting eccentric or extravagant humor or fancy”.
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Further definition from www.answers.com
defines slang refers to words and phrases. Slang is considered to be very informal and it is often restricted to special
contexts or only used by a particular class, profession, social group, etc. Most slang expressions are spoken, not written and would be considered inappropriate in formal
types of communication. From the definitions above, we can conclude that slang is a new vocabulary
that belongs to a particular group of people related to informal conversation and used in informal situation. In addition, slang reflects the social background of the speaker.
2. The History and Development of Slang in America
Allan and Burridge 2006: 69 state the first appearance of slang words is about during the eighteenth century. Slang word was originally to refer to the pattern
of criminals. In this book Eric Partridge suggests a connection with the verb sling, as in the expression sling off at someone, meaning „give cheek, or abuse; engage in a
slanging match’. This source seems appropriate because slang is originally referred to the sublanguage of the underworld.
Furthermore, in discussions of slang, the terms argot and cant appear. Slang originally denoted to the restricted speech of the low and often correlated with the
criminal classes of society. O. Ritter in Mencken, 1982: 64 believes that slang may derive from language. The most possible fact that supports this idea is slang language
itself probably as a combination of blending and shortening like in thieve
s’ language
and beggar
s’ language.
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In addition, Flexner 2000: 7 states that many slang becomes words and expressions that used frequently in American public nowadays. However, slang
considered inappropriate for formal usage by the majority. Furthermore, American slang words are actually contributed by about thirteen different groups in society. The
thirteen different groups in society that become slang source such as immigrant, labors, armies, musicians, narcotic addicts, college, etc.
3. The types of slang
