Standard usage includes those words and expressions understood,
used, and accepted by a majority of the speakers of a language in
any situation regardless of the level of formality. As such, these
words and expressions are well defined and listed in standard
dictionaries. Colloquialisms, on the other hand, are familiar words
and idioms that are understood by almost all speakers of a language
and used in informal speech or writing, but not considered
appropriate for more formal situations. Almost all idiomatic
expressions are colloquial language. Slang, however, refers to
words and expressions understood by a large number of speakers but
not accepted as good, formal usage by the majority. Colloquial
expressions and even slang may be found in standard dictionaries
but will be so identified. Both colloquial usage and slang are more
common in speech than in writing.
Colloquial speech often passes into standard speech. Some slang
also passes into standard speech, but other slang expressions enjoy
momentary popularity followed by obscurity. In some cases, the
majority never accepts certain slang phrases but nevertheless
retains them in their collective memories. Every generation seems
to require its own set of words to describe familiar objects and
events. It has been pointed out by a number of linguists that three
cultural conditions are necessary for the creation of a large body
of slang expressions. First, the introduction and acceptance of new
objects and situations in the society; second, a diverse population
with a large number of subgroups; third, association among the
subgroups and the majority population.
Finally, it is worth noting that the terms "standard" "colloquial"
and "slang" exist only as abstract labels for scholars who study
language. Only a tiny number of the speakers of any language will
be aware that they are using colloquial or slang expressions. Most
speakers of English will, during appropriate situations, select and
use all three types of expressions.
