Slang

Slang is the use of colorful words, derrived from regional or time specific terminology, used in place of more formal words.

Many time frames and cultures have their on unique slang. For example, during the 20th century on Earth, several cultural movements had their own slang terminology. Starfleet officers who were involved in instances of time travel or other alien contact were sometimes subjected to a degree of social ineptness due to the confusion caused by the usage of slang.

Also see: Nicknames

Variations of slang

The Iotian culture developed on Sigma Iotia II built its society based on the novel Chicago Mobs of the Twenties. Therefore, the Iotians used many slang terms that were originally popular during the 1920s on Earth. (TOS: "A Piece of the Action")

Likewise, the holodeck program Bashir 62, used a lot of early 1960s slang. (DS9: "His Way", et al.)

The following uses of slang may extend beyond the timeframe indicated. For sake of convenience, they are listed in the timeframe from which they were specifically used. When applicable, the usage of the term may be found below in italics.

20th century Earth slang

1920s

• "Cement overshoes": A self-defining gangster term describing a method of drowning someone.

1950s

• "Pinko": an individual who only mildly supports the ideas of socialism or communism.
• "Red": an individal who more actively supports the ideas of socialism or communism.
• "Nigger"
• "Tater": a "home run" in the game of baseball

1960s

• "Charley":
• "Clyde":
• "Deadsville":
• "Groovy":
• "Harvey":
• "Jet setter":
• "Nanook of the North"
• "Pallie": friend
• "Rich as Rockefeller"
• "Romeo":
• "Square":

1990s

• "Cool"
• "Freakasaurus"

21st century Earth slang

2020s

• "Dim"
• "Ghost"
• "Gimmie"

23rd century slang

Iotian (suppliment to 1920s slang)

• "Concrete galoshes" - Montgomery Scott's version of "cement overshoes".

"You mind your place, mister, or you'll be wearing concrete galoshes."

• "Fancy heater" - phaser
• "Feds" - Federation personnel

Miri's planet

• "foolie": a game
• "grup": a "grown up"
• "only"

Starfleet

• "Dunsel":
• "Nova": Lt. Mitchell once called a woman he met on Deneb IV: "Yeah, she was nova that one."

Other

• "Herbert":

24th century slang

• "Cowboy diplomacy"
• "Vulky"
• "Starfleet brat"
• "Spoon head"
• "Cardies"

References

• TOS:
  • "Miri"
  • "A Piece of the Action"
  • "The Trouble with Tribbles"
  • "The Ultimate Computer"
  • "The Way to Eden"
• DS9:
  • "Blood Oath"
  • "Past Tense, Part I
  • "Past Tense, Part II"
  • "Little Green Men"
  • "Our Man Bashir"
  • "Far Beyond the Stars"
  • "Valiant"
  • "His Way"
  • "Prodigal Daughter"
  • "It's Only a Paper Moon"
  • "Badda-Bing, Badda-Bang"
• VOY:
  • "Caretaker"
  • "Future's End, Part I"
  • "Future's End, Part II"
  • "Scorpion, Part I"
  • "Equinox, Part I"
• ENT:
  • "First Flight"
  • "Daedalus"