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10 Slang Words To Avoid At All Costs

10 Slang Words To Avoid At All Costs

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I get it, we’re all busy and slang saves time. We don’t always have the patience for full sentences or writing out entire words in a text. But there are some slang words that are more annoying than others, and for the sake of others, we should strive to avoid them. While marginally more acceptable in written form (e.g. texts, emails, and obnoxious YouTube comments), these words, if eliminated  from our language altogether, might make the world a happier – or at least less annoying – place.

 

VanityFair.com
VanityFair.com

Like
This isn’t exactly slang, but has become a substitute for “um,” “uh,” “er,” and all those other thinking words. But when you drop a “like” in between every other word in a sentence, it makes you sounds 60-percent less educated and people are 80 percent less likely to take you seriously. Like, seriously, please, like, stop.

Vimeo.com
Vimeo.com

Noob/n00b/newb
For the unfamiliar, if somebody calls you one of the above, you are being referred to as a newbie. Which either means you are actually new to something/somewhere, or that you’re not doing very well at said activity and should thus be mocked. Either way, the person doing the mocking is obnoxious, ESPECIALLY if they use zeroes instead of “os.”

DisabledGrappler.com
DisabledGrappler.com

Swag
If you have to tell people you have swag, or that something is swag, it probably isn’t. Swag is one of those undefinable things that you recognize when it’s there, but shouldn’t be pointed out. It’s like telling a pitcher he’s pitching a perfect game halfway through the eighth inning. Once you mention it, it’s gone.

WestCoastConnection.com
WestCoastConnection.com

Dat
It’s really not that much harder to use “th” instead of “d.” Just make the extra effort. There is one important exception to this rule, however. Anytime you happen to be in New Orleans, or are watching a New Orleans Saints football game, it is perfectly acceptable to cheer, “WHO DAT? WHO DAT? WHO DAT SAY DEM GONNA BEAT DEM SAINTS?”

DigitalBreezes.com
DigitalBreezes.com

SMH
SMH, or “shake my head,” means you can’t believe something is happening, or you’re just disappointed at a situation. It’s tired and old, and you should find something more creative to express your displeasure. Also, if the opportunity arises for SMH to be used in person, here’s a tip: try actually shaking your head. I promise it gets the point across.

SkepticalTeacher.Wordpress.com
SkepticalTeacher.Wordpress.com

Pwned
No idea why somebody decided that they needed to add a “p” in place of the “o” in owned, but pwned is when somebody “owns” you at something – e.g. wins, beats, trounces, demolishes, or destroys you. Like noob/n00b/newb, it’s mocking and sounds stupid. So stop.

Him.UK.MSN.com
Him.UK.MSN.com

LOL
Unless you’re a 13-year-old, the time for LOL has come and gone. And for those who use it in real life, I just…I can’t.

Blog.YinnYang.co.uk
Blog.YinnYang.co.uk

Merked
Haven’t heard this one before? Count your blessings. It can mean anything from being drunk, high, knocked out, beaten, etc. For example, “Yo, I got so merked at the bar last night I woke up in the back of a pick-up truck again.” Or, “Toby got merked by some mugger last night – the concussion means he has even less brain cells left than before.” I feel as though the examples prove my point.

LastNightsHype.com
LastNightsHype.com

Legit
We can probably blame MC Hammer for this one (thanks to “2 Legit 2 Quit”), but it’s not his fault that people picked it up to the extent they have.

InsideFortLauderdale.com
InsideFortLauderdale.com

YOLO
It’s true that you only live once, but using YOLO excessively means that you’ll probably be alone most of that time.