At my house, it's an, 'If dad says it, you can say it' kind of deal, so a lot of my slang words come off very childish at this point in my career.
It definitely sharpened my interest in language, the way people used language, slang words, speech patterns. There's a big advantage to being the outsider.
The downtrodden are the great creators of slang.
I'm really fascinated by lingos and colloquialisms that are outmoded and have gone by the wayside. I love the way people spoke in the '30s, and the amazing slang of the mid-'60s and '70s.
I speak a little Italian and Spanish because of where I grew up. I also am well-versed in Angelino slang and corporate Euro-speak. I don't like gimmicks. The biggest gimmick of all is trying to fit in and be 'normal'. I will always be myself no matter what. Crazy is a compliment. Flashback.
When 'American Slang' came out, everyone was like, 'This is the next big band in the world, and this is blah blah blah Bruce Springsteen Junior and blah blah blah,' and I was just like, 'I don't know what that means. I don't know. We'll see.'
Slang is a language that rolls up its sleeves, spits on its hands and goes to work.
The sea speaks a language polite people never repeat. It is a colossal scavenger slang and has no respect.
I boldly assert, in fact I think I know, that a lot of friendships and connections absolutely depend upon a sort of shared language, or slang. Not necessarily designed to exclude others, this can establish a certain comity and, even after a long absence, re-establish it in a second.
Words have life and must be cared for. If they are stolen for ugly uses or careless slang or false promotion work, they need to be brought back to their original meaning - back to their roots.
