January 25, 2013
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Inorganic Slang
Sometimes slang is fun. Generally, it has to arise organically; but sometimes, when you have a cool idea for something, you just force it. That’s what I’m doing here. Below are a few propositions for new additions to your idiolect. They’re already a part of mine!
1. “The ‘Plex.” I’m from the Dallas-Fort Worth area, as are literally millions of other people. But that’s cumbersome to day. It’s often shortened to “DFW,”–like the airport. Because it’s two, distinct cities, you can’t really say you’re from Dallas if you’re from Fort Worth. Similarly, people who live in Grapevine are just as far from Dallas as they are from Fort Worth. And, people from Grand Prairie, Arlington, Irving, and Plano–all respectable cities in their own right don’t like to be lumped into either Dallas, Fort Worth, or DFW. For these reasons, I propose that we call the mass of humanity in North Central Texas “The Plex.” It short. It’s descriptive. It has its origins in referring to the area as “The Metroplex,” but it sounds a lot trendier. I hope it catches on.
2. “Hasta Masta’.” There is a danger in creating slang for a language that is not your own. But, I have been speaking Spanish relatively well for eight years now. I feel like I’m allowed. Plus, it’s not really novel–it’s just an abbreviation of the longer phrase: “hasta mas tarde,” which means “see you later!” Plus, this shortened version rhymes, which is fun.
3. “Gracisimas.” It’s a way to say “Thanks a lot” with a Latin flair. “Gracias” is the general word for “thanks,” but I added the “‘-isim@” ending, which really is only for adjectives. When it’s added, it turns the adjective almost into a superlative. For example, “mucho” to “muchisimo” are “a lot” and “the most!” respectively.
4. “Crazy cakes.” I’ve not been using this one as much I used to use it…it may be outmoded now. For a while, though, I thought it might catch on. I remember saying it once–I don’t remember if it’s something I picked up or something I invented. After I started using it, I heard it on a TV show…it. was. AWESOME. What I like most is the idea of an insane dessert is pleasant…even if slightly absurd.
Now…to use them all together. Pretend that A and B are having a telephone conversation.
A: Hello
B: Hey, I was wondering, can I get a ride into the ‘Plex this weekend?
A: Sure. I thought your sister was taking you. Is everything alright?
B: Yeah…except that she went crazy cakes on me after she caught her boyfriend wearing her underwear. She’s not good for anything lately.
A: That’s a super bummer. Listen, I gotta get…I just now realized that I have to use the bathroom.
B: Alright, that’s cool. I’ll talk to you later. Gracisimas for the ride, though.
A: No problem. Hasta masta’.
[clicks]
Do you think you could work these into your conversations? I’d love to hear how it.
Comments (6)
The Plex would be like in Holland, where they use to call the Randstad the regio including Amsterdam, Rotterdam, Utrecht,The Hague and all the cities in between; it works, but if you want to ask for a rid to Plex, you must specify the place.
I like a lot the gracias ism idea; it would sound well in Italian(graziessime) . yes, sounds good.Hasta masta would be the same as ‘hasta luego?’ like ” see you later alligator?” If the language code used is the same, no problemo at all, if not, big trouble ahead.
@carlo - Yeah…you Northern Europeans love your consolidated words: BeNeLux, Randstad, and all the rest. I must ask, if someone said “Graziessime,” would you respond with “Pregissimo”? That could be fun!
No,I don’ t think ‘Preghissimo’ would sound right.We say a lot of ‘Molte grazie,grazie mille’etc. But never ,molti prego or similar. Prego is just enough….De nada would be pretty much the same, I think. de nadismo?No de nadismo.
I don’t think I had heard of these slangs before.Not sure how I would use them. I am boring.
@ZSA_MD - Far from boring! Anyway, I bet you could substitute your usual “Thank you,” for “Gracisimas.” Add a little spice to your gratitude. HAH!
At one point, my friends and I adopted the word ‘dutch’ to mean “bad luck/situation” or just “no good”. The meaning in the use of the slang is some what fluid, but the general idea fits both the phrases above. Why dutch? I have no idea. I’m sure it had a clever meaning/attachment at one point, but that’s lost now. It was used for years and as both a noun and adjective. I wonder what the Dutch would have to say about this…
Also, que onda?