Burke David. The Slangman Guide to Street Speak Volume 2
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64
the SLANGMAN GUIDE TO STREET SPEAK 2
Phyl lis: You got here at just the right moment. I have this persistently annoying
thought that the foolish and weak-looking person over there is following me.
Carol: Maybe he’s just taking a walk.
Phyl lis: Become aware of what’s really happening. A lot of guys come to parks to
look for an intimate encounter with women. Guys like him really make me
angry.
Carol: You know, I think you’re right. He keeps looking over here.
Phyl lis: Well, if he tries anything, I’m going to give him a bruised eye. That should make him
change his attitude. You know, he reminds me of that guy in math class who’s
infatuated with you.
Carol:
Don’t start that topic of conversation. That guy really makes me sick!
Besides, that’s definitely not him. That guy over there is a lot taller.
Phyl lis: Well, I’ve had it. I’m tired of him staring at me. I’m going to tell him to beat it!
Carol: I don’t know why you don’t just ignore him. But fine. If you really want to, go ahead.
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 4 • AT THE PARK
Phyl lis: Ya got here just ’n the nick ’a time. I have this nagging feeling that the geek over
there’s following me.
Carol: Maybe ’e’s jus’ taking a walk.
Phyl lis:
Wake up ’n smell the coffee. A lod ’a guys come ta parks ta pick up women. Guys
like him really tick me off.
Carol: Ya know, I think y’r right. He keeps looking over here.
Phyl lis: Well, if ’e tries anything, I’m gonna give ’im a black eye. That should make ’im sing
a differ’nt tune. Ya know, he remin’s me ’a that guy ’n math class oo’s crazy about
’chu.
Carol:
Don’t go there. That guy grosses me out! Besides, that’s definitely not him. That guy
over there’s a lot taller.
Phyl lis: Well, I’ve had it. I’m tired of ’im staring at me. I’m gonna tell ’im da bead it!
Carol: I dunno why ya don’t just ignore ’im. B’t fine. If ya really wanna, knock yerself out.
arrive [just] in the nick of time (to) exp. to arrive at the perfect moment (as a moment later
would be too late).
example: Steve arrived [just] in the nick of time. A minute
later would have been too late!
translation: Steve arrived at the perfect moment. A minute
later would have been too late!
“real spEAK:” Steve arrived [just] ’n the nick ’a time. A minute
lader would’a been too late!
Note: Other synonyms for the verb “arrive” could be used in this
expression such as: to make it, to show up, to turn
up, etc.
NOW YOU DO IT. COMPLETE THE PHRASE ALOUD:
I arrived [just] in the nick of time to…
C. DIALOGUE USING “REAL SPEAK”
The dialogue below demonstrates how the slang conversation
on the previous page would really be spoken by native speakers!
vocabulary
The following words and expressions were used in the previous
dialogues. Let’s take a closer look at what they mean.
CD-a: track 17
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the SLANGMAN GUIDE TO STREET SPEAK 2
black eye n. a bruise around the eye (due to a severe impact).
example: Pat got mad and punched Eric in the face. You should see
the black eye Pat gave him!
translation: Pat got mad and punched Eric in the face. You should see
the bruised eye Pat gave him!
“real spEAK:” Pat got mad ’n punched Eric in the face. You should see
the black eye Pat gave ’im!
Synonym: shiner n.
NOW YOU DO IT. COMPLETE THE PHRASE ALOUD:
I got a black eye because…
crazy about someone or something (to be) exp. to be extremely fond of someone or
something, to love with great intensity, to be deeply in love.
example: My parents have been married for thirty years and they’re
still crazy about each other.
translation: My parents have been married for thirty years and they’re
still deeply in love with each other.
“real spEAK:” My parents’ve been married fer thirdy years ’n they’re still
crazy aboud each other.
Synonym: mad/nuts/wild about (to be) exp.
NOW YOU DO IT. COMPLETE THE PHRASE ALOUD:
I’m crazy about…
“Don’t go there” exp. (extremely popular) “Don’t start that topic of conversation.”
example: – How is everything going with you and Shirley?
– Don’t go there. Let’s change the subject.
translation: – How is everything going with you and Shirley?
– Don’t start that topic of conversation. Let’s
change the subject.
“real spEAK:” – How’s ev’rything going with you ’n Shirley?
– Don’t go there. Let’s change the subject.
NOW YOU DO IT:
Use “Don’t go there” in a sentence.
geek n. a foolish and weak-looking person.
example: Jim is a college athlete but his brother is a geek.
translation: Jim is a college athlete but his brother is a foolish and
weak-looking person.
“real spEAK:” Jim’s a college athlete bud ’is brother’s a geek.
Synonym 1: dweeb n.
Synonym 2: nerd n.
NOW YOU DO IT. COMPLETE THE PHRASE ALOUD:
...is the biggest geek I’ve ever met!
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Lesson 4 • AT THE PARK
gross out someone (to) exp. to disgust someone.
example: Did you taste that horrible appetizer Betty made for my
party? It grossed out everyone!
translation: Did you taste that horrible appetizer Betty made for my
party? It disgusted everyone!
“real spEAK:” Did’ja taste that horr’ble appetizer Beddy made fer my
pardy? It grossed oud ev’ryone!
Synonym: “Gag me!” interj. a humorous in ter jec tion sig ni fy ing dis
-
plea sure or dis gust.
NOW YOU DO IT. COMPLETE THE PHRASE ALOUD:
...grosses me out!
“Knock yourself out” exp. “Go ahead” • (lit.): “Make yourself lose consciousness.”
example: You’re cooking for fifty people?! That’s too much work for
me. But if you enjoy it, knock yourself out!
translation: You’re cooking for fifty people?! That’s too much work for
me. But if you enjoy it, go ahead!
“real spEAK:” Y’r cooking fer fifdy people?! That’s too much work fer me.
Bud if you enjoy it, knock yourself out!
Also: knock oneself out (to) exp. to exhaust oneself in
order to do something • I knocked myself out cleaning the
house all day!; I exhausted myself cleaning the house all
day!
NOW YOU DO IT:
Use “Knock yourself out” in a sentence.
nagging feeling (to have a) exp. to have a persistently annoying thought.
example: I have a nagging feeling that George forgot we had a
meeting scheduled for this morning.
translation: I have a persistently annoying feeling that George
forgot we had a meeting scheduled for this morning.
“real spEAK:” I have a nagging feeling th’t George fergot we had a
meeding scheduled fer this morning.
Synonym: sneaking suspicion (to have a) exp.
NOW YOU DO IT. COMPLETE THE PHRASE ALOUD:
I have a nagging feeling that…
pick up someone (to) exp. to look for an intimate encounter with someone.
example: The only reason Al came to my party was to pick up girls.
translation: The only reason Al came to my party was to look for an
intimate encounter with girls.
“real spEAK:” The only reason Al came ta my pardy was ta pick up girls.
Synonym: cruise for (to) / cruising for (to go) exp.
NOW YOU DO IT:
Use “pick up” in a sentence.
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the SLANGMAN GUIDE TO STREET SPEAK 2
sing a different tune (to) exp. to have a change of attitude or behavior.
example: Mark was arrested for stealing?! Well, once he spends a
few days in jail, he’ll sing a different tune.
translation: Mark was arrested for stealing?! Well, once he spends a
few days in jail, he’ll change the way he behaves.
“real spEAK:” Mark w’z arrested fer stealing?! Well, once ’e spen’s a few
days ’n jail, he’ll sing a diff’rent tune.
Synonym: learn one’s lesson (to) exp.
NOW YOU DO IT:
Use “sing a different tune” in a sentence.
ticked [off] (to be) exp. to be angry.
example: I’m really ticked [off] because Tom forgot to pick me
up at the airport.
translation: I’m really angry because Tom forgot to pick me up at the
airport.
“real spEAK:” I’m really ticked [off] cuz Tom fergot ta pick me up ’it
the airport.
Also: tick someone off (to) exp. to make someone angry.
Synonym 1: ballistic (to go) exp.
Synonym 2: bent out of shape (to be) exp.
Synonym 3: blow one’s top (to) exp.
Synonym 4: fly off the handle (to) exp.
Synonym 5: hit the ceiling (to) exp.
Synonym 6: tee’d off (to be) exp.
NOW YOU DO IT:
Use “ticked [off]” in a sentence.
“Wake up and smell the coffee” exp. “Become aware of what’s really happening.”
example: You think Anne is your friend? She only likes you because
you’re rich! Wake up and smell the coffee!
translation: You think Anne is your friend? She only likes you be cause
you’re rich! Be come aware of what’s re ally hap
-
pen ing!
“real spEAK:” Ya think Anne’s yer friend? She only likes you b’cause y’r
rich! Wake up ’n smell the coffee!
Synonym: “Get a clue” exp.
NOW YOU DO IT. COMPLETE THE PHRASE ALOUD:
You believed… when he told you...? Wake up and
smell the coffee!
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Lesson 4 • AT THE PARK
A. CROSSWORD PUZZLE (Answers on p. 221)
Fill in the crossword puzzle by choosing the correct word
from the list below.
sing
knock
off
pick
black
grosses
time
go
feeling
crazy
geek
coffee
ACROSS
2. Bob actually drove his car after drinking two glasses of vodka?! He’s crazy! Well, if he gets
stopped by a cop, he’ll ____ a different tune!
4. John likes to go to parties to ____ up girls. That’s how he met his last girlfriend.
6. You actually believed what that slimy salesperson told you? Wake up and smell the ____! He was
lying to get you to make a purchase!
8. Did you hear the news? Maggie punched John in the face and gave him a ____ eye!
10. The smell of eggs cooking really ____ me out! It smells like sulfur!
DOWN
1. I don’t know why you don’t just take your car to a mechanic instead of trying to fix it yourself.
But it’s your decision. ____ yourself out!
3. The fire fighters arrived just in the nick of ____. One minute later the entire house would have
been burned to the ground!
5. Don’t ____ there! I told you I never want to talk about that again!
6. I’m ____ about ice cream. I could eat it for every meal!
7. I have a nagging ____ there was something I was supposed to do this morning. I wish I could
remember what it was!
9. Did you see the new student in class today? He wears big glasses, his clothes are too big, and
he’s really thin. He looks like such a ____!
11. It really ticks me ____ when a driver parks in two spaces instead of one!
CD-a: track 18
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the SLANGMAN GUIDE TO STREET SPEAK 2
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Lesson 4 • AT THE PARK
B. CHOOSE THE RIGHT WORD (Answers on p. 221)
Underline the appropriate word that best completes
the phrase.
1. – Would you like me to help you move these boxes?
– Oh, thank you! You arrived just in the (neck, nick, nerd) of time! I was about to move all
these boxes into the other room and they’re too heavy for me.
2. – I’m going to paint my entire house all by myself.
– I don’t know why you don’t get someone to help you. Well, if you really want to spend your
weekend painting, knock yourself (in, up, out)!
3. – I just invited Henry to my party. He seems really nice.
– Everyone knows he’s really nasty! Wake (down, up, out) and smell the coffee!
4. – What’s wrong? You seem upset about something.
– I have this (gagging, nagging, sagging) feeling that something terrible is about to happen.
5. – What happened to you?!
– I fell off my motorcycle and got a (black, blue, gray) eye. I’m lucky I didn’t break anything!
6. – Did you taste the horrible cake Bernice made?
– I sure did. The blue frosting really grossed me (out, in, up).
7. – How was your job interview?
– Don’t (come, go, stay) there. I’ll just say that I didn’t get the job. Now change the subject.
8. – You don’t look very happy this morning!
– Someone hit my car this morning and didn’t even leave a note! That ticks me (off, on, up)!
9. – Look at the beautiful necklace Ted gave me!
– Wow! He must really be (smart, crazy, stupid) about you!
10. – Sam cheated on his test again!
– I’m going to report him to the teacher. That’ll make him sing a different (melody,
song, tune).
11. – Did you see the guy Jennifer is dating?
– I sure did. He’s so foolish and weak-looking. I’ve never seen such a (leek, geek, week) in my
life!
12. – Why do you think Earl goes to bars every night?
– He’s probably trying to pick (over, through, up) women!
CD-a: track 19
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the SLANGMAN GUIDE TO STREET SPEAK 2
1. I have a nagging feeling that I forgot to lock my car
after I parked it.
2. You’d prefer to walk five miles to the market instead of
having me drive you? Okay. Knock yourself out!
3. How could you trust him? Everyone knows he’s a thief!
Wake up and smell the coffee!
4. I couldn’t eat the food in the school cafeteria today. The
smell really grossed me out!
5. Bob insulted Tim so he punched Bob in the face and gave
him a black eye!
6. I’m crazy about Paul! He’s my best friend in the whole
world!
7. As soon as Rob gets arrested for stealing, he’ll sing a
different tune.
8. You arrived [just] in the nick of time! One minute
later would have been too late.
9. It really ticks me off when people lie!
10. Don’t go there. I really don’t want to talk about Steve
again.
11. Jody goes to the bars every night hoping to pick up guys.
12. That’s George? He used to be such a geek. Now he’s
absolutely gorgeous!
C. MATCH THE COLUMN (Answers on p. 221)
Match the words in boldface with the definition in the
right column. Write the letter of the definition in the box.
A. bruised eye
B. go ahead
C. extremely fond of
D. made me sick
E. don’t bring up that
topic of conversation
F. persistently annoying
thought
G. have an intimate
encounter with
H. foolish and weak-
looking person
I. makes me angry
J. at just the right
moment
K. change his attitude or
behavior
L. become aware of
what’s really happening
CD-a: track 20
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Lesson 4 • AT THE PARK
As clothing certainly plays an important part of our everyday life, there was no way for it to escape being
one of the targets for a variety of innovative slang expressions. There are many expressions containing
clothing, and you certainly don’t want to be caught with your pants down (unprepared). So,
hang onto your hat (get ready) because this list is sure to knock your socks off (amaze you)!
belt
belt n. swallow or gulp of an alcoholic drink.
example: My boss is acting so strangely.
I think he may have taken a couple
of belts during lunch.
translation: My boss is acting so strangely.
I think he may have taken a couple
of gulps of alcohol during lunch.
“real speak”: My boss is acting so strangely.
I think ’e may’ev taken a couple ’a
belts during lunch.
belt out a song (to) exp. to sing a song with
energy.
example: My sister really knows how to belt
out a song!
translation: My sister really knows how to sing
a song with energy!
“real speak”: My sister really knows how da belt
oud a song!
belt someone (to) exp. to hit or punch someone.
example: When Bill insulted Hilary’s mother,
she hauled off and belted him.
translation: When Bill insulted Hilary’s mother,
she launched an attack and
punched him.
“real speak”: When Bill insulted Hilary’s mother,
she hauled off ’n belted ’im.
Note 1: Although the term “belt” is used in
this expression, it does not refer to
hitting someone with a belt, rather
the fist.
Note 2: The expression “to haul off,”
meaning “to launch an attack,” is
extremely popular when used
before describing an act of
violence.
hit below the belt (to) exp. to commit a
despicable or unfair act.
example: Carl told his wife that if she files for
divorce, he’ll make sure he gets the
children. That certainly was
hitting below the belt.
translation: Carl told his wife that if she files for
divorce, he’ll make sure he gets the
children. That certainly was
despicable.
“real speak”: Carl told ’is wife th’d if she files fer
divorce, he’ll make sher ’e gets the
children. That certainly was
hidding below the belt.
Note: This expression originated from
boxing where it is illegal to hit an
opponent below the belt.
Clothing Used in Slang Expressions