Mister Slang

Mister Slang explores the historical and cultural contexts of Anglophone slang, focusing on its evolution, the societal attitudes it reveals, and its role in various communities. It examines slang in entertainment, literature, personal identities, and social issues through diverse examples from the 18th century to modern times.

History of Slang Social and Cultural Issues Entertainment and Music Language and Identity Sexuality and Gender Literature Personal Memories and Reflections

The hottest Substack posts of Mister Slang

And their main takeaways

Party Animals

2378 implied HN points • 14 Jul 23
🎭️ Culture Comedy Entertainment Music History
  1. The 'party record' genre, featuring raunchy adult content, was popular in the 1950s, 60s, and 70s.
  2. Prominent entertainers in this genre included African American and Jewish comedians, who pushed boundaries with their humor.
  3. These comediennes were highly successful and played at top venues, challenging societal norms and providing a platform for risqué humor.

Billingsgate Goes West

137 implied HN points • 08 Jan 24
🎭️ Culture History Literature Memoirs Biography
  1. The 18th and early 19th centuries saw a shift in the content people sought: from erotic dialogues to memoirs of those in the profession.
  2. Madames and prostitutes of the past were often the subjects of 'autobiographies' and other works, contributing to a rich history of scandalous literature.
  3. Jane Davies, a celebrated figure, had a reputation for her eloquence in swearing and obscene talk, showcasing the colorful language of the time.

He So Horny

196 implied HN points • 31 Jul 23
🎭️ Culture Language History Literature Anatomy Slang
  1. Cuckoldry in history is related to natural history and terms like 'horny' stem from old German farming practices.
  2. The concept of 'wearing horns' generated a vocabulary around cuckoldry and male infidelity.
  3. Slang terms for male reproductive organs and impotence reveal societal attitudes about virility and masculinity.

D is for...

117 implied HN points • 29 Jul 23
🎭️ Culture Language Literature History Geography Health
  1. Some dirty words have origins in diseases like syphilis and gonorrhea.
  2. Venereal diseases were often associated with foreign countries in slang terms.
  3. There were various slang terms for venereal diseases and their symptoms, as well as treatments throughout history.

Bona Lavs

137 implied HN points • 04 Jun 23
🎭️ Culture Language History LGBTQ+ Literature Entertainment
  1. Polari was a secret language used by various groups like tramps, sailors, show people, and homosexuals.
  2. Polari was not a proper language with grammar but rather a lexicon of around 100 words and phrases.
  3. Polari declined with the changes in gay speech and the emergence of Gay Liberation in the late 1960s.
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Update Warning

98 implied HN points • 29 Jun 23
📚 Literature Slang Research History
  1. New update for Green's Dictionary of Slang scheduled on June 30.
  2. Research findings focused on sex-related slang from the British Raj era in India.
  3. Manual creation of update lists is still ongoing.

Unwritten Books #3

78 implied HN points • 27 Jul 23
📚 Literature Slang Animals Imagery Symbolism
  1. Language, especially slang, often uses animal imagery to enrich its vocabulary.
  2. Slang's menagerie of animal-related terms is deep and varied, encompassing both positive and negative connotations.
  3. Exploring animal imagery in slang can provide rich material for a book, drawing parallels to medieval Bestiaries and offering insights into cultural perceptions.

Lincoln Green

78 implied HN points • 18 Jul 23
📚 Literature Memoir Books History Childhood
  1. The author reflects on their childhood in Lincolnshire in the 1950s, sharing memories of the county's unique features and their experiences growing up there.
  2. Growing up as one of the few Jewish families in Lincoln, the author reminisces about the challenges and adventures of maintaining their religious customs in a predominantly non-Jewish community.
  3. Despite the passage of time, revisiting one's childhood home can evoke a mix of nostalgia and reality, with familiar places often transformed or lost.

Gladys Bentley

78 implied HN points • 16 Jul 23
🎭️ Culture Music History LGBTQ+ Society Entertainment
  1. Gladys Bentley was a significant figure for openly living as a black, lesbian artist in a time when this was rare.
  2. She challenged societal norms through her performances, songs with transgressive lyrics, and open expression of her identity.
  3. Bentley's impact extended beyond her music as she increased public awareness about sexual variations and spoke for marginalized communities.

The Dirty Blues

78 implied HN points • 12 Jul 23
🎭️ Culture Music History Literature Fiction Sexuality
  1. Blues singers used slang and double entendre in their music, often pushing the boundaries of decency.
  2. The blues offered a raw and honest perspective on life, focusing on the present rather than the afterlife.
  3. The dirty blues genre included explicit lyrics and was sometimes intertwined with hokum, a mix of trickery and nonsense.

Simenon-on-Sea

98 implied HN points • 31 May 23
📚 Literature Mystery Fiction Author Crime Novels
  1. Georges Simenon was a prolific and internationally renowned author with a vast body of work that includes detective novels and 'romans durs.'
  2. The sea and coastal towns played a significant role in Simenon's fiction, providing atmospheric backdrops for his plots and reflecting his personal experiences and interests.
  3. Simenon's writings often explore themes of human nature, criminality, and escapism, where the sea symbolizes freedom, danger, and the complexities of life.

Heroes of Slang: Billy Rowe

78 implied HN points • 30 Jun 23
🎭️ Culture History Language Music Slang Race
  1. Billy Rowe was an African-American columnist in the mid-1900s known for his showbiz focus and advocacy against racism.
  2. Rowe coined numerous slang terms in his columns, some of which predated similar terms by his peers.
  3. Rowe's slang terms reflected the world of big bands, clubs, and societal issues of his time, showcasing his unique contribution to language.

Sweety Darling

78 implied HN points • 10 Jun 23
🎭️ Culture Language Social Behavior Romance Literature Music
  1. Slang vocabulary is rich in terms related to sex, but lacks words for love
  2. Slang terms for genitals and sexual activity are abundant and creative
  3. Slang expressions for lovers, mistresses, and promiscuous individuals reveal the language's colorful and sometimes derogatory nature

Unwritten Books

78 implied HN points • 06 Jun 23
📚 Literature Slang Vocabulary Philosophy
  1. Slang provides a unique perspective on language, often delving into taboo subjects and incorporating dirty words.
  2. The word 'shit' holds a significant place in slang, with approximately 650 slang terms related to defecation in English.
  3. The slang term 'shit' is versatile, appearing in a wide range of phrases and expressions, both literal and figurative.

Vaudeville Vixen

78 implied HN points • 14 May 23
🎭️ Culture Entertainment History
  1. Vaudeville was a popular form of entertainment mix that included various acts like musicians, comedians, and acrobats.
  2. Female stars like Eva Tanguay played a significant role in vaudeville, earning fame and fortune from their performances.
  3. Eva Tanguay, known as 'The I Don't Care Girl,' challenged societal norms through her provocative performances, costumes, and independent attitude.

Twiggez-Vous?

58 implied HN points • 06 Jul 23
📚 Literature
  1. Teenage slang has played a significant role in bridging generation gaps.
  2. Books by authors like Angela Brazil highlighted the use of slang in girls' boarding school settings.
  3. Youth movements challenging adult norms emerged post-World War II.