Every year a few nondescript nouns or adjectives take on new meaning to our nation’s youth. Out of a cocoon of context (rap lyrics, memes, in-jokes), these slang words are hatched into the air, wild-colored with new meaning, elusive to the comprehension of adults, traveling through our hallways and classrooms (sometimes even make an appearance in essays). When one drifts into my reach, I follow the connoisseur’s protocol: capture and categorize. 

In writing this, I have avoided the very helpful urbandictionary.com. My goal is to taxonomize these words and phrases based on my students’ specific usage, which may have regional distinctions.  

Here are three recent specimens from the past month.

 

“Tough” 

Part of speech: Adjective 

Definition: Stylishly pleasing  

Used in a sentence: “That Lambo looks tough.” 

Related slang: “Fly”, “Hot”, “Sick”

First encountered: First week of school, from numerous students.  

Will this slang still be used in a year? I doubt it. It simply repackages a common sentiment. It will fall out of favor with over-usage, like anything concerned with style.

 

“Drip”  

Part of speech: Noun 

Definition: a combination of fancy clothing (bling) and combustible rhetoric (fire), causing a subsequent “thaw”. 

Used in a sentence: “I just can’t compete with Theodore. He simply has that drip.”  

Related slang: “Swag,” “Ice”

First encountered: During the beginning-of-the-year student presentations. One student brought a necklace of significant emotional value. A fellow student deemed the necklace as a contributing factor in the student’s drip.   

Will this slang still be used in a year? Yes. This one has staying power, both in its sincere and ironic usage.  

 

“No cap” 

Part of speech: Adverb clause 

Definition: being said with sincerity. 

Used in a sentence: “That test was really difficult, no cap.” 

Related slang: “For real”, “No lie”

First encountered: Yesterday in class. A student used the phrase to describe an assignment’s difficulty. After consulting the rest of the class to make sure the student wasn’t making up the phrase, I asked the students to explain its origins. After a summary dismissal of this request (“That’s such an English teacher question”) they explained it involves the respectful removal of a hat. I am skeptical of this explanation: what student in America refers to hats as caps? 

Will this slang still be used in a year? It will indeed, no cap!