xviii status. It tends to displace conventional terms, either as a short hand or as a
defense against perceptions associated with the conventional term.”
11
3. According to Willis.
In his statement he said that: “for the most part, slang is the result of linguistic inventiveness, especially of
young and lively persons who want fresh, original pungent, or racy terms with which they can rename ideas, action, and objects that they feel strongly about.
In effect slang is the result of a combination of linguistic irreverence and reaction against staid, stuffy, pompous, pretentious, or colorless diction.”
12
Based on those definitions above, the writer has the following assumptions: 1.
That slang is represents vulgar language that used by person in every grade of life, and also the language of showing humor, high or low life.
2. That slang has traits such as slang is lower in prestige than Standard
English, and slang usually used by group with low status and also slang taboo used by people of high status.
3. That slang is the result of linguistic inventiveness by the young people
who want new trend for style in their life.
B. History of Slang
Slang was starting to escape the harsh criticism of being associated with criminals or foreigners. Slang itself has been introduced since the sixteenth century.
There was now a demand for entertainment, mass media, and slangy fiction. .
11
Dumas, Bethany K. and Lighter, Jonathan 1978 Is Slang a Word for Linguists? American Speech 53 5: 14-15. Accessed on September 24, 2006.
http:en.wikipedia.orgwikislang ,
12
Chaedar Alwasilah, Sosiologi Bahasa, Angkasa, Bandung, 1986, p. 57.
xix Slang is not whatever is new or popular in the way of language Historical
Dictionary of American Slang. Below is one of examples the word of slang: “Cool: This popular expression is used to describe something that is very
good.” Ex: “That band is cool”
13
Next, the writer would like to propose the history of slang based on the decades, characteristics, the examples and the meanings of the slang language. From
Random House Historical Dictionary of American Slang, and also from the book “Slang Today and Yesterday”
14
by Eric Partridge, there are five decade of slang history, each decades has different characteristic. Decades start from sixteenth,
seventeenth, eighteenth, nineteenth, and twentieth century. The writer gives some illustrations of the slang history as described below:
13
Cassie Howell, Example of Slang, Accessed on September 12, 2007. http:www.uncp.eduhomecanadaworkallam1914-languageslang.htm
14
Eric Patridge, Slang Today and Yesterday Utledge Kegan Paul LTD London. 1954, p. 37.
xx No
Decades Characteristic Examples
Meanings 1.
Sixteenth Century Slang
used Used
by criminal such
as the thieves Doxies
Patricos Priggers
of Prancers
Beggars’ trulls Strolling
Thieves Horse-thieves
2. Seventeenth Century
Slang is
related for the immoral
action of the society
Buzzard A pun
Clap Crimp
A simpleton Circling boy
Clatter A game of card
3. Eighteenth Century
Slang mostly used
in comedy
Melt Tip
Whither-Go-Ye Victualing office
To spend To give or lend
A wife The stomach
4. Nineteenth Century
Slang began to expand and
to be used for conversation
in the society of London
Burke Burra
Bury a Moll Bus or Buss
To kill A great man
To run away from a mistress
A public
carriage 5.
Twentieth Century Slang would
be used of the spoken
language Birdcage
Tanked To commandeer
Cheero Cheerioh
A prison Drunk
In the sense Classy
Common
xxi
C. Types of Slang Language
