C1 - Lesson 3: Recognizing Shifts in Modern Slang
Online Lingo and Netiquette
Slang is the fastest-changing area of any language. At the C1 level, fluency involves not just knowing slang, but developing a feel for what is current and what is outdated3. Most modern English lingo1 originates online. Understanding this language—and the rules of netiquette2 that govern it—is essential for contemporary communication.
1. The Evolution of Slang: Outdated vs. Modern
Using outdated slang can make you sound strange or out of touch. The goal is not necessarily to use all the new slang, but to recognize it and to avoid using expressions that are no longer in common use.
| Meaning | Outdated Slang (Pre-2010s) | Modern Slang (2020s) |
|---|---|---|
| Excellent / Cool | That's da bomb! / Groovy! / Rad! | That's fire. / That slaps. |
| A lie / Untrue | That's bogus! | That's cap. / That's sus (suspicious). |
| To be very awkward | That was awkward. (The word itself) | That's so cringe. (Used as an adjective) |
2. A Guide to Current Online Lingo
Online communication values speed, which has created many common abbreviations and new terms.
- IYKYK: "If You Know, You Know." Refers to an inside joke or a shared niche experience.
- POV: "Point of View." Used to set a scene in a video or story. (Ex: POV: You're trying to study in a loud cafe.)
- TL;DR: "Too Long; Didn't Read." Used to provide a short summary of a long piece of text. (Ex: TL;DR: The report concludes we need more funding.)
- It's giving...: A very current phrase used to describe the vibe or essence of something. (Ex: "Her professional email was so polite and formal, it was giving royalty.")
- Main character energy: A feeling or display of confidence, as if you are the protagonist of your own story.
A Note on Netiquette: Netiquette is the code of polite behavior online. Key rules include: AVOIDING ALL CAPS (which is seen as shouting), being careful with sarcasm as tone is hard to read, and always considering your audience (e.g., LinkedIn vs. a private chat with friends).
Discourse in Action: A YouTube Comment Section
Let's analyze the lingo and netiquette in the comments under a travel video about Kampot.
Video: My Unforgettable Trip to Kampot!
- UserA: "This whole video is a vibe. The shot of the river at sunset? **It's giving** peaceful masterpiece. 🔥"
Analysis: Uses modern, positive slang ('vibe', 'It's giving...') and an emoji to show appreciation. Good netiquette. - UserB: "**IYKYK**, that little cafe she went to has the best coffee in Cambodia, no cap."
Analysis: Uses abbreviations ('IYKYK') and slang ('no cap') to connect with other viewers who know Kampot well, creating an in-group. - UserC: "YOU DIDN'T VISIT THE SALT FIELDS THIS IS THE WORST KAMPOT VIDEO EVER"
Analysis: This is bad netiquette. Using ALL CAPS is interpreted as shouting and aggressive.
quiz Check Your Understanding
1. Your friend shows you an amazing photo they took. A modern, slang compliment would be:
- a) "That picture is groovy!"
- b) "That picture is fire!"
- c) "That picture is the bee's knees!"
Click to see the answer
Answer: b) "That picture is fire!"
2. A colleague sends a very long email with a summary at the top that begins with "TL;DR". What does this mean?
- a) They think the email is not important.
- b) This is a Top Level; Direct Report.
- c) "Too Long; Didn't Read" - here is the short summary.
Click to see the answer
Answer: c) "Too Long; Didn't Read" - here is the short summary.
3. Which of the following is an example of bad netiquette?
- a) Disagreeing politely with someone in a comment.
- b) Using emojis to convey tone.
- c) TYPING YOUR ENTIRE COMMENT IN CAPITAL LETTERS.
Click to see the answer
Answer: c) TYPING YOUR ENTIRE COMMENT IN CAPITAL LETTERS.
edit Your Mission
- Slang Detective: Find a recent, popular English-language meme. What is the slang or lingo being used? Try to decode its meaning using the context of the meme.
- Netiquette Observer: Go to a popular Facebook page or news site and read the comments on a recent post. Find one example of good netiquette (e.g., a polite debate) and one example of bad netiquette (e.g., personal insults).
- Vibe Check: The phrase "It's giving..." is very flexible. Write one sentence about something you've seen recently using this phrase. (e.g., "The new building in Phnom Penh is very futuristic; it's giving 'Blade Runner'.")
book Lesson Glossary
- Lingo (noun) - Khmer: ភាសាក្នុងក្រុម (pʰie-sa knong krom) - The special vocabulary and idioms of a particular field or social group. ↩
- Netiquette (noun) - Khmer: ក្រមសីលធម៌នៃការใช้อินធឺណិត (krɑm sei-la-tʰɔə ney kaa praə internet) - The code of polite and correct behavior for communication on the internet. ↩
- Outdated (adjective) - Khmer: ហួសសម័យ (huəh sa-mai) - No longer modern, useful, or fashionable. ↩