Burke David. The Slangman Guide to Street Speak Volume 2
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204
the SLANGMAN GUIDE TO STREET SPEAK 2
Chris: Sorry to keep you waiting on the phone but the boss has been watching us closely
this morning.
Deb bie: I know. He’s been a relentlessly demanding boss all week.
Chris: Luckily he just left for lunch. So, tell me. What did you find out about the new guy?
What was bothering him yesterday? I’m totally uninformed!
Deb bie: Well, at first I assumed he was hired because he’s such a genius, but now I’m starting
to think he’s not completely rational. I think he has a problem telling the truth. In
fact, I bet he lied to get this job.
Chris: I think you reached a correct conclusion. That explains why he seems like he
doesn’t belong here.
Deb bie: Well, he obviously lied and told the boss he had years of experience so he’d get a huge
assignment. Now he’s gotten himself into a difficult situation and knows it’s
about survival. I work very hard to get my assignments done and he just
flatters the boss in order to get excused! And I just found out that Gladys in the
accounting department is sexually attracted to him!
Chris: You’ve got to be kidding! How do you know all this?
Deb bie: Let’s just say an unknown source told me.
LET’S SEE HOW MUCH YOU REMEMBER!
Just for fun, bounce around in random order to the words
and expressions in boldface below. See if you can remember
their slang equivalents without looking at the left-hand page!
B. DIALOGUE translated INto STANDARD ENGLISH
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Lesson 10 • ON THE PHONE
Chris: Sorry da keep ya on hold b’t the boss’ez been looking over ev’ryone’s shoulder this
morning.
Deb bie: I know. He’s been a slave driver all week.
Chris: Luckily ’e jus’ left fer lunch. So, tell me. Whad’ja dig up on the new guy? What w’z
eading ’im yesderday? I’m todally in the dark!
Deb bie: Well, at first I assumed ’e w’z hired cuz ’e’s such a brain, b’t now I’m starding da think
’e’s not cooking on all four burners. I think ’e has a problem telling the truth. In
fact, I bet ’e lied ta get this job.
Chris: I think ya hit the nail on the head. That explains why ’e seems like a fish oudda
water here.
Deb bie: Well, ’e obviously lied ’n told the boss ’e had years of experience so ’e’d ged a huge
assignment. Now ’e’s pain’ed ’imself into a corner ’n knows it’s sink ’r swim.
I work like mad da get my assignments done ’n he jus’ kisses up ta the boss ’n
order da get excused! An’ I jus’ found out th’t Gladys ’n the accoun’ing department has
the hots for ’im!
Chris: You’ve godda be kidding! How do ya know all this?
Deb bie: Let’s jus’ say a liddle birdie told me.
“A little birdie told me” exp. “A secret informant told me.”
example: – Who told you that Mark got fired?
– We’ll just say a little birdie told me.
translation: – Who told you that Mark got fired?
– We’ll just say a secret informant told me.
“real spEAK:” – Who told’ja th’t Mark got fired?
– We’ll jus’ say a liddle birdie told me.
Note: The term birdie is actually children’s language for “bird.”
NOW YOU DO IT. COMPLETE THE PHRASE ALOUD:
A little birdie told me that…
C. DIALOGUE USING “REAL SPEAK”
The dialogue below demonstrates how the slang conversation
on the previous page would really be spoken by native speakers!
CD-b: track 20
vocabulary
The following words and expressions were used in the previous
dialogues. Let’s take a closer look at what they mean.
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the SLANGMAN GUIDE TO STREET SPEAK 2
brain (to be a) n. to be an extremely smart person, a genius.
example: You got an “A” on the math final? Wow! You’re really a
brain!
translation: You got an “A” on the math final? Wow! You’re really a
genius!
“real spEAK:” You god ’n “A” on the math final? Wow! Y’r really a
brain!
Also: brainy adj. extremely smart.
NOW YOU DO IT. COMPLETE THE PHRASE ALOUD:
I think ...is a real brain because…
cooking on all four burners (not to be) exp. said of someone who is crazy or irrational.
example: My new neighbor talks to imaginary people! I don’t think
he’s cooking on all four burners.
translation: My new neighbor talks to imaginary people! I don’t think
he’s completely rational.
“real spEAK:” My new neighbor talks to amaginary people! I don’t think
he’s cooking on all four burners.
Synonym 1: both oars in the water (not to have) exp.
Synonym 2: the elevator doesn’t go all the way up to the
top exp. said of someone who is crazy or irrational.
NOW YOU DO IT. COMPLETE THE PHRASE ALOUD:
I don’t think… is cooking on all four burners
because…
dig up something on someone (to) exp. to find information about someone.
example: You won’t believe what I dug up on Gina. She works as a
clown in the evenings!
translation: You won’t believe what I found out about Gina. She
works as a clown in the evenings!
“real spEAK:” You won’t believe whad I dug up on Gina. She works as
a clown ’n the evenings!
Note: dirt n. information or gossip about someone • So what’s
the dirt on Gina?; So what’s the gossip about Gina?
NOW YOU DO IT. COMPLETE THE PHRASE ALOUD:
You won’t believe what I dug up about…
feel like a fish out of water (to) exp. to feel out of place, as if you don’t belong.
example: Everyone at this party is a professor except for me! I feel
like a fish out of water.
translation: Everyone at this party is a professor except for me! I feel
like I don’t belong here.
“real spEAK:” Ev’ryone ’it this pardy’s a prafesser except fer me! I feel
like a fish oudda wader.
NOW YOU DO IT. COMPLETE THE PHRASE ALOUD:
I always feel like a fish out of water when…
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Lesson 10 • ON THE PHONE
have the hots for someone (to) exp. to be sexually attracted to someone.
example: Carol keeps following me! I think she has the hots for
me. What should I do? I don’t like her!
translation: Carol keeps following me! I think she is romantically
interested in me. What should I do? I don’t like her!
“real spEAK:” Carol keeps following me! I think she has the hots fer
me. What should I do? I don’t like ’er!
Note: hot adj. sexy • Pat is hot!; Pat is sexy!
NOW YOU DO IT. COMPLETE THE PHRASE ALOUD:
I have the hots for…
hit the nail on the head (to) exp. to reach a correct conclusion.
example: – I think Ron is insecure about his height.
– You hit the nail on the head!
translation: – I think Ron is insecure about his height.
– You reached a correct conclusion!
“real spEAK:” – I think Ron’s insecure aboud ’is height.
– You hit the nail on the head!
Synonym: Bingo! exp. (from the popular game of Bingo where the
winner yells “Bingo!” when he/she has won).
NOW YOU DO IT. COMPLETE THE PHRASE ALOUD:
You hit the nail on the head when you said…
in the dark (to be) exp. to be unaware.
example: How is Tom after his operation? His family has been
keeping me in the dark!
translation: How is Tom after his operation? His family has been
keeping me uninformed!
“real spEAK:” How’s Tom after ’is operation? His family’s been keeping
me in the dark!
Synonym: keep someone guessing (to) exp.
NOW YOU DO IT. COMPLETE THE PHRASE ALOUD:
Why did you keep me in the dark about…
kiss up to someone (to) exp. to flatter someone in order to get something.
example: Bob always kisses up to the boss. The only reason he
does that is because he wants a raise.
translation: Bob always flatters the boss. The only reason he does
that is because he wants a raise.
“real spEAK:” Bob always kisses up ta the boss. The only reason ’e
does thad is cuz ’e wants a raise.
Synonym 1: butter someone up (to) exp.
Synonym 2: lay it on thick (to) exp.
Synonym 3: sweet talk someone (to) exp.
NOW YOU DO IT. COMPLETE THE PHRASE ALOUD:
...always kisses up to… because…
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the SLANGMAN GUIDE TO STREET SPEAK 2
on hold (to be) exp. to be kept waiting on the telephone.
example: I was on hold for twenty minutes until someone finally
took my call!
translation: I was kept waiting for twenty minutes until someone
finally took my call!
“real spEAK:” I w’z on hold fer twen’y minutes until someone fin’lly
took my call!
Synonym: put someone on hold (to) exp. to make someone
wait on the phone.
NOW YOU DO IT. COMPLETE THE PHRASE ALOUD:
I was on hold for… minutes when I called…
paint oneself into a corner (to) exp. to get oneself into a difficult situation or predicament.
example: To impress Connie, Bill told her that he was a doctor.
Now she wants him to be her parents’ doctor! He really
painted himself into a corner!
translation: To impress Connie, Bill told her that he was a doctor. Now
she wants him to be her parents’ doctor! He really got
himself into a difficult situation!
“real spEAK:” To impress Connie, Bill told ’er th’t he w’z a docter. Now
she wants ’im da be ’er parents’ docter! He really pain’ed
’imself into a corner!
Note 1: There are many slang synonyms for “a difficult situation” or
“predicatment.” For example: a tight spot • a tight
squeeze • a fine how do you do (old-fashioned, yet
heard in jest) • a can of worms • a fine mess.
Note 2: There are many slang synonyms for “to be in a difficult
situation” or “to be in a predicament.” For example:
in a jam • in a pickle • in hot water • up a creek
• up a creek without a paddle • in a fix.
NOW YOU DO IT. COMPLETE THE PHRASE ALOUD:
I painted myself in a corner when I…
sink or swim (to) exp. to die or survive.
example: This is my last chance to show my boss that he needs me in
his company. It’s sink or swim!
translation: This is my last chance to show my boss that he needs me in
his company. It’s die or survive!
“real spEAK:” This is my las’ chance ta show my boss thad ’e needs me in
’is company. It’s sink ’r swim!
Synonym: do or die (to) exp.
NOW YOU DO IT:
Use “sink or swim” in a sentence.
209
Lesson 10 • ON THE PHONE
slave driver n. a boss who is extremely demanding often to the point of being unreasonable.
example: My new boss insists that we work one day each weekend.
He’s a slave driver!
translation: My new boss insists that we work one day each weekend.
He’s a demanding boss!
“real spEAK:” My new boss insis’ th’t we work one day each weekend.
He’s a slave driver!
NOW YOU DO IT. COMPLETE THE PHRASE ALOUD:
I think my boss is a real slave driver because...!
“What’s eating him/her/you/them/etc?” exp. “What’s bothering him/her/you/etc.?”
example: I asked Eric how he was doing today and he told me to
leave him alone! I wonder what’s eating him.
translation: I asked Eric how he was doing today and he told me to
leave him alone! I wonder what’s bothering him.
“real spEAK:” I asked Eric how ’e w’z doing taday an’ ’e told me da leave
’im alone! I wonder what’s eading him?.
Synonym 1: “What’s bugging him/her/you/them/etc.?” exp.
Synonym 2: “What’s his/her/your/their/etc. deal?” exp.
Synonym 3: “What’s up with him/her/you/them/etc.?” exp.
NOW YOU DO IT. COMPLETE THE PHRASE ALOUD:
What’s eating...?
work like mad (to) exp. to work with great intensity.
example: I need to work like mad in order to get this assignment
done by four o’clock!
translation: I need to work with great intensity in order to get
this assignment done by four o’clock!
“real spEAK:” I need da work like mad ’n or der da get this as sign
-
ment done by four a’clock!
Synonym 1: cook (to) exp.
Synonym 2: hustle (to) exp.
Synonym 3: slave away (to) exp.
Synonym 4: work like crazy (to) exp.
Synonym 5: work one’s head off (to) exp.
NOW YOU DO IT:
Use “work like mad” in a sentence.
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the SLANGMAN GUIDE TO STREET SPEAK 2
A. CORRECT OR INCORRECT? (Answers on p. 224)
Decide whether or not the words in boldface have been used
correctly or incorrectly by checking the appropriate box.
1. Bonnie follows Carl everywhere. I think she has the hots for him!
CORRECT INCORRECT
2. I’m totally in the dark. I know everything that happened yesterday.
CORRECT INCORRECT
3. Patricia is so stupid. What a brain!
CORRECT INCORRECT
4. You’re right. You hit the nail on the head!
CORRECT INCORRECT
5. Stop looking over my shoulder. I’ll show you my work when it’s finished.
CORRECT INCORRECT
6. You’d better work like mad if you want to finish before five o’clock!
CORRECT INCORRECT
7. I didn’t want to go to Steve’s party tonight, so I told him I was sick. Now today I’m supposed to
go to a lunch party and Steve’s going to be there! I really painted myself into a corner!
CORRECT INCORRECT
8. I’m really hungry. I feel like a fish out of water.
CORRECT INCORRECT
9. I was on hold for an hour in the swimming pool.
CORRECT INCORRECT
10. What’s eating you? You seem upset about something.
CORRECT INCORRECT
11. Nancy is kissing up to the boss because she’s hoping for a raise.
CORRECT INCORRECT
12. So tell me about Jill? What did you dig up on her?
CORRECT INCORRECT
13. My boss is very relaxed. He’s a real slave driver.
CORRECT INCORRECT
14. That guy is talking to himself. Obviously, he’s not cooking on all four burners.
CORRECT INCORRECT
15. Don’t worry if you fail the assignment. It’s sink or swim. You can always try again.
CORRECT INCORRECT
CD-b: track 21
211
Lesson 10 • ON THE PHONE
B. BLANK-BLANK (Answers on p. 224)
Fill in the blank with the correct word(s)
from Column B.
CD-b: track 22
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the SLANGMAN GUIDE TO STREET SPEAK 2
C. TRUE OR FALSE (Answers on p. 224)
Decide whether or not the definition of the words in boldface
is true or false by checking an “X” in the correct box.
1. “A little birdie told me” exp. “A secret informant told me.”
TRUE FALSE
2. “What’s eating him/her/you/etc?” exp. “What’s bothering him/her/you/etc.?”
TRUE FALSE
3. work like mad (to) exp. to be angry about having to work late.
TRUE FALSE
4. hit the nail on the head (to) exp. to reach a correct conclusion.
TRUE FALSE
5. dig up something on someone exp. to find information about someone
TRUE FALSE
6. have the hots for someone (to) exp. to be very angry at someone.
TRUE FALSE
7. in the dark (to be) exp. to be unaware.
TRUE FALSE
8. slave driver n. a boss who is extremely demanding often to the point of being unreasonable.
TRUE FALSE
9. kiss up to someone (to) exp. to try to be romantic with someone.
TRUE FALSE
10. paint oneself into a corner (to) exp. to be in a hurry.
TRUE FALSE
11. brain n. an extremely smart person, a genius.
TRUE FALSE
12. feel like a fish out of water (to) exp. to be extremely thirsty.
TRUE FALSE
13. cooking on all four burners (not to be) exp. said of someone who is crazy or irrational.
TRUE FALSE
14. sink or swim (to) exp. to die or survive.
TRUE FALSE
15. on hold (to be) exp. to be kept waiting on the telephone.
TRUE FALSE
CD-b: track 23
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Lesson 10 • ON THE PHONE
What better way to add color to a phrase than by actually using a color in the expression itself! If you’re
green (lacking experience) in the area of expressions using colors, you’ll be tickled pink (delighted) to
know that you can learn them here right now. It just takes using a little grey matter (brain power)!
black
black out (to) exp. to faint.
example: My fever got so high that I blacked
out.
translation: My fever got so high that I fainted.
“real speak”: My fever got so high th’d I blacked
out.
Also: black out n. an interruption in
electric power causing the lights to
go out • Everyone was concerned
that on January 1, 2000, there would
be a blackout; Everyone was
concerned that on January 1, 2000,
there would be an interruption
in electric power.
blackballed (to be) exp. to be prevented from
being hired or accepted by a specific group.
example: Jeff can’t find a job anywhere. He’s
being blackballed because he has
a bad reputation.
translation: Jeff can’t find a job anywhere. He’s
being prevented from being
hired because he has a bad
reputation.
“real speak”: Jeff can’t find a job anywhere. He’s
being blackballed b’cause ’e has
a bad reputation.
blacklisted (to be) exp. to prevent someone
from being hired or accepted to a specific group.
example: Many TV and movie writers
couldn’t get work in Hollywood
because they were blacklisted
due to suspicion of being
communists.
translation: Many TV and movie writers
couldn’t get work in Hollywood
because they were prevented
from working due to suspicion of
being communists.
“real speak”: Many TV ’n movie wriders couldn’
get work ’n Hollywood b’cause they
were blacklisted due da suspicion
’ev being communists.
Note: This expression comes from the
McCarthy period when those who
were thought to be communists or
communist sympathizers were put
on a list (later termed the
“blacklist”) and targeted for
discrimination.
give someone a black eye (to) exp. to bruise
someone’s eye usually through a punch.
example: When my girlfriend found out that
I was seeing someone else, she
gave me a black eye.
translation: When my girlfriend found out that
I was seeing someone else, she
punched me in the eye and
bruised it.
“real speak”: When my girlfrien’ found out th’d
I w’z seeing someone else, she
gamme a black eye.
in the black exp. said of a company that is
making a profit.
example: This year our company is finally in
the black!
translation: This year our company is finally
making a profit!
“real speak”: This year ’ar company’s fin’lly in
the black!
Colors Used in Slang Expressions