TALKIN' THE TALK

Master Your Slang: 10 Expressions That Shaped The English Language

Image: Aleksandr Popov

Fashions are always changing, and everyday language is no exception to this rule. Have you listened to teenagers talk lately? Their vocabulary is full of words we don't quite understand. But come on, we did it too: every decade has had its own set of slang words and expressions. Have you ever said "Bread," "Radical," or "Talk to the hand"? Today, we'll look back at 10 slang words and expressions that have defined each decade from the 1930s to today! Let's "chillax" and read!

Image: Nathan Bingle

This phrase originated in the early 20th century but reached its peak popularity in the 1930s. What does a monkey have to do with your uncle or with being surprised? Well, those are some of the questions that have come to mind because "I'll be a monkey's uncle" was used to express great surprise, as if to say, "I can't believe this!"

And wait until you hear its origin. The expression is believed to have arisen in response to Charles Darwin's theory of human evolution! Someone very shocked-and probably not understanding Darwin's proposal- might have said, "Well, if humans and apes are related, then I'll be a monkey's uncle!"

Image: Tim Mossholder

Fortunately, we have thousands of ways to express affection to those we love, and giving a "smooch" is one of them.

The origins of the slang "smooch" are disputed, but it is believed to have emerged sometime before the 1940s in America, appearing as an onomatopoeic imitation of the sound an affectionate kiss makes. Other sources suggest that the term arises from an adaptation of the British English dialectal verb "to smouch," meaning to kiss.

In general, this slang expresses much love and care. So, have you "smooched" today?

Image: Alexander Dummer

While this expression may seem like the title of a horror movie or the name of some strange insect that lives in the jungle, its actual meaning is much cuter than that.

"Ankle bitter" rose to popularity in the 1950s to refer to toddlers. It makes sense: they are just starting to walk, and they're still tiny, very close to the floor, and, well, also close to our ankles.

As time went by, the expression also began to be used to refer to another type of creature that can get close to - and literally bite - our ankles: that's right, puppies!

Image: Pepi Stojanovski

Have you ever been ready to pay for something and suddenly realized you didn't have any "bread"? What? Wait, let us explain.

While it appeared for the first time many years earlier, the term "bread" became popular in the 1960s, particularly among young people, to refer to cash or money in general.

Many sources suggest that the term originated from an association between money as a primary means of subsistence and bread as the basic food. While it's still used, it's not as widespread as it once was.

Image: Edilson Borges

If someone tells you a story that is too good to be true, you've probably encountered a "jive turkey."

Originated in African-American Vernacular English and popularized in the 1970s, this expression is used to describe someone who is not entirely honest, cheats to get what they want, makes empty promises, or someone who just says things that aren't totally true.

The term "jive" had already been slang in its own right for a few decades and was used to describe people who were frivolous or simply deceitful. The 1970s came along to give some more charm and humor to the expression. Thus, the word "turkey" was added. Does any jive turkey come to mind?

Image: Isai Ramos

Besides spandex, big hairstyles, and neon colors, the 80s had a good variety of slang terms, many of which survive to this day.

One of the most popular slang words of those years was "radical." The term initially gained popularity among surfers and skateboarders in the California area, who used it to describe something too cool, awesome, or impressive, like a "radical wave."

Over time, the expression transcended the sport and started popping up everywhere.

Image: Zan Lazarevic

If there is something more nineties than grunge and low-rise pants, it is this slang phrase.

"Talk to the hand" was a popular saying among 90s youth, particularly associated with the stereotypical "cheerleader girl" style. However, with the term appearing in many popular movies and sitcoms of the time, it gained ground in popular culture.

When someone responded, "Talk to the hand," it basically meant they didn't care what you had to say or that they weren't going to listen. If you plan to use this expression, remember the most important part: you must accompany it with the classic raised hand gesture.

Image: Brian Lundquist

But it's not only movies and TV that influence the way we talk; music does, too. So it was back in the late 1990s and early 2000s when hip-hop culture gave birth to the term "bling," remember?

"Bling" (or "bling-bling" if you were really cool) was slang for jewelry. But not just any jewelry; the term specifically referred to the big, shiny pieces typical among popular rappers and hip-hop artists of the time. In fact, the expression is also found in the titles and lyrics of many of their songs.

As time went by -and as it usually happens- the word expanded its meaning to refer to an ostentatious or luxurious lifestyle. The fame of "bling" was such that it was eventually added to many dictionaries.

Image: Oziel Gómez

For several years now, another significant factor has been shaping our lexicon: social media. If you were online in the 2010s, you definitely read or heard the term "bae."

This slang expression has two theories about its origins: the first claims that the word arises as a short form of "babe" or "baby." The second holds that "bae" means "before anyone else." As you might guess, the expression refers to a significant other, such as a boyfriend or girlfriend.

The term is believed to have originated specifically on Twitter (now "X"), following a viral tweet that used it.

Image: Kilyan Sockalingum

This term has gained a lot of popularity in recent years, being present in music, Instagram, and TikTok.

When someone says something like "I'm serious, no cap," it means they're stating the truth or being honest. On the other hand, when the expression is just "cap," it implies the opposite, a lie or exaggeration, such as "They say he's the greatest quarterback ever, but that's cap."

Some theories propose the term originates from the gesture of removing your hat or cap as a sign of respect and authenticity. Would you use it?

The living machine

Discover 12 of the most fascinating (and surreal) facts on the human body

Image: MART PRODUCTION

The human body is an incredibly sophisticated machine, full of mysteries. Throughout history, science has revealed fascinating facts about how it works, yet lesser-known curiosities continue to surprise and challenge our understanding. Are you ready to discover 12 fascinating quirks about your body that will leave you speechless?

Image: Aakash Dhage

A person inhales and exhales over 2,000 gallons of air daily, taking roughly 21,000 breaths a day. We perform this action almost unconsciously, but it is vital to absorb oxygen and expel carbon dioxide.

Now, did you know the right lung is slightly larger than the left lung to make room for the heart? And that the lungs contain over 300 billion tiny blood vessels called capillaries that, if unfolded, would extend to 1,500 miles? Don't worry, you learn something new every day!

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The primary function of nails is to protect the fingertips, which contain a high concentration of nerve endings. In fact, this is one of the most sensitive areas of the human body.

Because they are more exposed, fingernails grow at a much faster rate than toenails. Fingernails grow about 1/8 inch per month, while toenails grow about half as much. Nail growth is also determined by factors such as weather, often speeding up during the summer. If you happen to lose a fingernail, it may take up to six months to grow back from base to tip.

Image: Aakash Dhage

The stomach is a fascinating organ with many peculiarities. For example, it produces hormones that influence appetite and sleep, and it can stretch to hold up to 50 ounces of food when we eat.

But perhaps its most incredible feature is its production of hydrochloric acid, which kills bacteria and aids digestion. This acid is so potent that it can even dissolve metals such as zinc. Fortunately for us, the stomach has a protective layer of mucus that is renewed every three to four days. If this lining weren’t continually replaced, it would dissolve. In other words, your stomach would digest itself.

Image: Surja Sen Das Raj

Your thigh bone, or femur, is the largest bone in your body, accounting for about a quarter of your total height. But did you know that human height can vary throughout the day and with age?

Every morning when you wake up, you are about 0.5 to 0.75 inches taller than when you go to bed at night. This is because the soft cartilage between your bones gets compressed by the force of gravity when you stand or sit. Starting in your forties or fifties, people gradually lose nearly half an inch of height per decade due to bone density loss, disc compression, and other age-related factors.

Image: Leighann Blackwood

On an average adult, skin covers an area of about 20 square feet and has multiple functions. The outer layer, called the epidermis, consists of dead cells that help regulate temperature and protect the body from dirt and germs. But did you know that your body is constantly losing and replacing these cells?

Every minute, you shed more than 30,000 dead skin cells. In fact, the entire surface of your skin is replaced every month, which, in other words, means that you will lose around 40 pounds of skin and have around 1,000 different skins in your lifetime.

Image: Nino Liverani

We all remember what we learned in school: the human body has 206 bones. However, at birth, humans have approximately 300 bones, many of which fuse as we grow, resulting in the 206 bones found in adults. More than half of these bones are located in the hands and feet, with 27 bones per hand and 26 per foot.

Another interesting fact about human bones is that they are as strong as granite. A small piece of bone can support up to 9 tons of weight!

Image: Vitalii Khodzinskyi

The eye is one of the most complex and fascinating organs of the human body. It can distinguish up to 10 million colors and adapts so quickly that it can adjust to extreme light conditions within seconds. Plus, your eyelids blink 15 to 20 times per minute, equivalent to roughly 10% of the time you spend awake!

If you have blue eyes, you are among the 8 to 10% of the world's population. Blue eyes result from a mutation that reduces pigment in the iris. Researchers believe this mutation first appeared in a person living in Europe 6,000 to 10,000 years ago, which means that all blue-eyed people living today share a common ancestor.

Image: Tony Litvyak

The human body needs food and water to survive. In fact, water makes up approximately 50% to 70% of body weight, depending on age, sex, and body composition. While the body can survive up to seven days without food, it can only last about two days without water.

Have you ever wondered how much food and drink we consume? Here's the answer: The average person eats roughly 55 tons of food and drinks about 11,000 gallons of liquid during a lifetime.

Image: Liana S

We know that factors such as age, diet, physical activity, illness, and the time of day can influence temperature. In fact, body temperature tends to be lower in the morning and higher in the evening.

But here's the most surprising fact about body temperature: in just 30 minutes, the human body produces enough heat to boil half a gallon of water. Now that’s a figure you probably didn’t expect!

Image: leyre del rio

For its size and composition, the tongue is the strongest and most flexible muscle in the human body. It is covered with roughly 10,000 taste buds, each containing up to 100 cells that help you detect flavors ranging from sweet to spicy. As you age, some taste buds die and are not replaced, which is why younger people often have a more sensitive sense of taste than older individuals.

But here's a fact that will blow your mind: your tongue print is as unique as your fingerprints. From the impression of a tongue, it is possible to identify a human being with similar accuracy as with fingerprints or the iris of the eyes. Luckily, it’s not a technique commonly used by forensic police!

Image: Elīna Arāja

Did you know that the human body contains about 60,000 miles of blood vessels, enough to circle the Earth two and a half times? Additionally, an average adult has roughly 1.2 to 1.5 gallons of blood circulating through the body. So why do veins look blue?

If you look at your wrists, you can probably see blue veins under your skin. It may sound strange, but the reason for this is to do with the way your skin absorbs light and reflects it back to your eye. So, now you know, nobody has blue blood, not even royalty!

Image: Franco Antonio Giovanella

Your inner ear contains fluid that helps send information about balance and movement to your brain. This fluid is also the reason you sometimes get motion sickness. When you look out of a car window, your eyes signal to your brain that your body is moving, but because you are actually sitting still, your brain becomes confused, which can make you feel queasy.

Earwax is produced by your body to protect your ear canal from dirt, insects, and bacteria. Although we commonly call it "wax," it is actually a substance largely composed of dead skin cells and other secretions. By the time it reaches the outer ear, earwax has been inside your ear for about a month!