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Urban Dictionary is a must-know social slang dictionary
Language is an ever-changing landscape. That's a cliché if I ever heard one, but it's also true. Urban Dictionary is one of those must-know Web sites; I think it's the largest slang and street language dictionary online. It's incredibly "social," but the social features don't feel forced or bolted-on. They're at the very heart of the site: definitions get voted up or down and are presented accordingly. After all, slang is very often a matter of consensus; there isn't a "slang academy" telling us what's right and wrong.
Each term can have plenty of definitions, but the best ones (or, rather, most popular ones) float to the top. The flip side to the democratic and open nature of the site is that some of the definitions are atrociously written. Here's an example of Urban Dictionary at its best, with "rick roll reflex":
The time it takes to react to being rick rolled. I.e. how long it takes you to close your browser window after you've been rick rolled.
And here it is at its worst, with "Proton Enhanced Nuclear Induction Spectroscopy." A few of the lame examples are as follows:
(acronym)PENIS!!!
also some jibbberish for something smart i guess... Hey man, check out my Proton Enhanced Nuclear Induction Spectroscopy =0
wow! Thats a huuuuuuge Proton Enhanced Nuclear Induction Spectroscopy!
A stroll through the site can be a lot of fun. However, it's also a very useful resource for figuring out what the consensus is on a certain meme or tracking down a neat pun.
[Ed -- note the Facebook Like button! It's everywhere!][EDIT: Yes, people! I know this is not a new site. It's just a "must-know", like I wrote in the title. I didn't say it's new; it's something worth knowing about, in case you don't. And believe it or not, not everyone does.]
Comments
10
Subscribe to commentsMattApr 28th 2010 4:10PM
You guys just discovered this? :P
JayApr 28th 2010 4:34PM
Tune in next time for an article on what's being called "Windows 7"
Muffin_manApr 28th 2010 4:49PM
Another really useful site is www.google.com
It lets you type in anything from websites to maps and even Lady GaGa lyrics.
Just found it yesterday.
polobunnyApr 28th 2010 8:15PM
Wow thanks, I was using altavista.com before today but now you've convinced me. I could never find those rare Lady GaGa lyrics!
James MApr 28th 2010 8:40PM
There are far better slang dictionaries on the web...
DarthNinjaApr 28th 2010 11:12PM
Hey, did you hear about this new thing called Twitter?
nickuxApr 28th 2010 11:29PM
In other news, I just started a website on Geocities. Come check out muh animated .gifs!
sallen23Apr 29th 2010 1:51AM
anyone heard of MySpace? it's all the rage for preteens and 30-something year olds and their parents to do this thing called "lolling" and "trolling"
DennyMay 3rd 2010 9:05AM
Geez you guys are harsh. It's for those that might not already know about it, being helpful can be good for you,
JosephMay 31st 2010 3:29AM
iMobile offer free mobile dictionary for all Java/WAP supposted mobile phones.
iDictionary is new generation free mobile dictionary application. iDictionary provides you with prompt word spell checking and definition, thesaurus, besides helping you to improve your vocabulary, all in one. It turns your handheld into a mobile teaching instructor that is always at hand. Wherever you are; at home or on the move.
http://imobile.us/Mobile_Dictionary_Application