Tori is a creative copywriter at Promova. Before joining the team, she had been working as a creative marketing specialist and digital journalist at the most popular TV channel in Ukraine for four years. Because Tori has a true passion for learning languages she decided to step up helping others achieve fluency in English by creating educational content at Promova blog. Tori loves traveling, spots, dancing twerk, movies and series. She speaks English, Ukrainian, Spanish and currently is getting familiar with Italian. Her goal is to speak 7 foreign languages by the age of 30. Being a lifelong student herself Tori gets struggles of English learners and wants to use her knowledge and experience to provide students with legit learning content. You can follow her on <a href="https://instagram.com/victory_torn?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=">Instagram</a>.

Tori Torn

Once you achieve a certain level of English fluency, you start craving more and digging in the direction that will please your curious mind. As English language professionals, we still learn English daily because it constantly changes. Discovering new horizons of the English language is always fun and challenging at the same time. For instance, the last time we were looking for educational content in English for motivation, we ran into the Vanity Fair YouTube video where Jamie Dornan, who played Mr. Grey in the 50 Shades franchise, teaches Northern Irish slang. Since then, it's been all blur. All we know is that the video inspired the <a href="https://promova.com/">Promova</a> blog author in a big way, so now you have this educational article about Irish slang words. With gra from Promova!<figure class="media"><div data-oembed-url="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AEdKqDZn3Bs"><div style="position: relative; padding-bottom: 100%; height: 0; padding-bottom: 56.2493%;"><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/AEdKqDZn3Bs" style="position: absolute; width: 100%; height: 100%; top: 0; left: 0;" frameborder="0" allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div></div></figure><h2>Irish Slang: Where Does It Come From</h2>The concept that one language, in this case, English, has different accents, vocabulary, and slang may seem absurd at first glance. However, suppose you think for another minute. In that case, you'll realize that people living in separate parts of the world, different states of the same country, or remote areas of the same island naturally will have their nuances using the same language. In addition, the cultural and linguistic influence of several groups can lead to the creation of unique words and phrases, such as Irish slang.&nbsp;It's no secret that people in Ireland don't speak elegant or posh English and mostly don't have the Queen's accent. Nonetheless, it doesn't stop them from decent communication in English with a spice of Irish slang.&nbsp;The thing is that Ireland is a multi-language environment where people except English also speak Irish (Gaeilge) and Ullans (in Northern Ireland). Before the 19th century, Ireland wasn't a predominantly English-speaking country. But after the centuries since the Camaro-Norman settlers first brought English to the island and English King Henry III invaded it, the language became dominant among most of the population. Trying to distinguish their culture, Irish people developed plenty of Irish slang phrases from the Gaelic language. Most of the Irish terms and phrases remain popular in Hiberno-English.Therefore, as there are some <a href="https://promova.com/blog/10-american-words-that-british-people-don-t-understand">American words that British people don't understand</a>, there is also Irish slang that other English-speaking countries can't make heads or tails of. Undoubtedly, English is a complex language because of <a href="https://promova.com/blog/australian-english-basics-and-differences">the basics and differences in its Australian</a>, British, American, and Canadian variations. But, Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, the beauty of English bases on how different it is in various cultures.<h2>The Most Frequently Used Irish Slang Words</h2><h3>Grand</h3>American culture made English learners get used to expressing emotions exaggeratedly. Whatever they say you should divide by two and hope it will reflect what things really are like. However, Irish people are opposed to that. That is why they interpret the word “grand” not as usual “magnificent” or “imposing” but as “fine” or “adequate.” Not being aware of that nuance leads many foreigners to misunderstand the meaning of grand from an Irish person's lips. So, remember that answering “I'm grand” means more down to earth, “I'm fine,” and not American, “I'm doing fantastic.”<h3>Gaff</h3>Gaff is an absolute necessity for your Irish slang dictionary. In Ireland, the term means «house» and is known as a part of the collocation “gaff party ", which is a “house party.”<h3>Deadly</h3>It might be difficult to imagine that some very familiar English words can have the opposite meaning in a different variant of the English language, but that is the case with Irish slang. In Hiberno-English, “deadly” does not have a negative connotation. Actually, it's exactly the opposite. As a part of the Irish slang dictionary, it means “excellent.” So, don't get offended if an Irish person says you look deadly. It is intended to be a compliment.&nbsp;<h3>Yoke</h3>This Irish slang word is a synonym for “thing.” So when you hear people saying yoke, keep in mind that it has nothing to do with eggs. Instead, yoke literally refers to anything or an object you see.&nbsp;<h3>Locked</h3>Probably, the most well-known stereotype about Irish folks is that they love spending time in pubs and getting drunk. That is why they have several Irish slang words that define the state of being affected by alcohol and losing control. One of the most common adjectives for “drunk” in Ireland is “locked.” However, you can also use mouldy, ossified, polluted, twisted, scuttered, trollied, plastered, langers, and buckled.<h3>Dryshite</h3>The term that wasn't meant to be a compliment is an Irish slang word, "dryshite." The noun means a dull, boring person who can't be fun. In Ireland, it is a big insult to call someone like that. So, keep your eyes open to notice any offensive vocabulary coming from an Irish.&nbsp;<h3>Gas</h3>Gas is an antonym to the word "dryshite." It has nothing to do with the fuel when said by Irish people. The noun refers to a funny person or situation. It can also be used to depict shock or disbelief.<h3>Culchie/Bogger</h3>A culchie or bogger defines an inhabitant of rural Ireland. Such people don't necessarily live in distant villages. They are just not urban Irish who live outside Dublin. Stereotypically, they are seen to be rough and unsophisticated dwellers.&nbsp;<h3>Fella</h3>It would be too dull for the Irish population not to come up with a slang word to replace «man» or “guy,” right? So they created “fella” which means a male of any age. It sounds pretty cute and unique and distinguishes Irish men from the male representatives of other countries.&nbsp;<h3>Cailín</h3>If there is an Irish slang word for man, there should be another one for a girl. That's just logical. And Irish people did follow the rules of logic. So they developed the Irish slang "Cailín" to define “girl.” It was coined from the Gaelic name Caitlin, meaning "pure."<h3>Manky</h3>"Manky" is an Irish slang adjective that claims something to be gross, unclean, disgusting, or rotten. People love to use it to describe the nasty weather in Ireland.&nbsp;<h3>Poxy</h3>This term is an adjective that describes something of poor quality, worthless or out-of-work. So, for instance, you can say that because of the poxy wi-fi at the office, you couldn't finish the project in time.&nbsp;<h3>Eejit/Gombeen</h3>We bet you've already noticed that British and American variations of English swear words and insults quite differ. For instance, English people don't use the f. But Irish folks also have their curses and insults. The most common Irish slang insults are “eejit” or “gombeen” which means "idiot."<h3>Minerals</h3>Here we are coming back to the drinking culture in Ireland. In this case, we will define soft drinks according to Irish slang. Any type of alcohol-free beverage is called «minerals» in Ireland. Usually, only an older generation uses this Irish slang, meaning Coca-Cola, Pepsi, or any other type of soda.&nbsp;<h3>Grá</h3>Irish English may seem a little harsh, but we still think it's beautiful in its own way. Let's take the noun “love,” for example. Did you know that there is a unique Irish slang term in Hiberno-English that means love? It may not sound as romantic as the Italian “amore”, but Irish slang for love is also pretty cute. Meet “grá.”<h3>Shift</h3>Speaking of grá, Irish people also have their own term to define a French kiss or making out as Americans call it. The Irish slang for kissing with the tongue is “shift”. Just keeping you updated, not only with American dating vocabulary here.&nbsp;<h3>Wee</h3>Wee is an Irish slang word that describes something very small. For instance, “The baby's hand is so wee.”&nbsp;1<h2>Irish Slang Phrases From Locals</h2><h3>Sure look</h3>This is one of the most typical Irish slang phrases you can hear from any Irish person. “Sure look” fits practically everywhere because of its meaning. On one hand, people say it, meaning “it is what it is”. On the other hand, “sure look” is a perfect collocation to fill an awkward pause. It can indicate that you are uninterested in what someone's saying, or you've missed the point and have no idea what direction the conversation has gone.<h3>I will yeah</h3>If you want to get the gist of the Irish sarcasm, just listen to the intonation Irish folks say "I will yeah" with. It always has us in stitches because the collocation means "I definitely will not.” Of course, some people adore British sarcasm, but nothing is better than this Irish slang phrase.&nbsp;<h3>C'mere to me</h3>The «c'mere to me» is a short version of "Come here to me." However, as part of Irish slang, it differs from its literal meaning. When Irish people say it, they mean "listen to me" or "I've got something to tell you.” In such a way, they attract your attention and make you listen to what they are saying.&nbsp;<h3>Fair play</h3>When you get the comment “fair play” from an Irish person, know that you've done something well. You can be proud of yourself.&nbsp;<h3>G'way outta that</h3>Every English learner should have a variety of quick responses to a compliment or saying, “you're welcome.” English teachers recommend expanding your vocabulary with different answers and letting go of that simple “thanks.” For example, the Irish way to respond to a compliment is «g'way outta that». Also, it can be a synonym for "It's no trouble."<h3>G'wan</h3>This Irish slang phrase which stands for “go on” became popular because of the Irish TV show “Father Ted”. The character Mrs. Doyle used to say it a lot as an expression of enthusiasm or encouragement.<h3>Coddin' ya</h3>Apparently, Irish people love to joke around. They can spend a lot of time in good company, talk and laugh, drinking something at a pub. But, unfortunately, humor depends on mentality, so not everybody may understand some jokes, especially if there is a language barrier. In such case, Irish people will say, "I'm only coddin' ya," which means, "I'm only joking."<h3>Acting the maggot</h3>When Irish are in the mood for foolish games or messed up behavior, they "act the maggot."<h3>Now we're suckin' diesel</h3>We know you might be shell-shocked by this Irish slang phrase right now, but it's not our fault. First, to clarify, “now we're suckin' diesel” doesn't mean drinking fuel. Probably, you thought the collocation was connected to drinking again, but that's not the case. Instead, this Irish slang stands for making progress.&nbsp;<h3>Effin’ and blindin’</h3>You've already learned some insulting and swearing words from the previous chapter of this article. But in Ireland, they even have slang phrase that replaces verbs “curse” and “swear” - "effin' and blindin'."&nbsp;<h3>Jesus, Mary, and Joseph</h3>Ireland has always been a historically religious country, so there is nothing bizarre for the Irish to use the Bible characters' names as exclamation. Referring to Jesus or Mary would be a half measure, but Irish people don't like that. That is why they use “Jesus, Mary, and Joseph” as an exclamation.&nbsp;<h3>Wind your neck in</h3>If Irish kids can't stop running around and screaming, you must use this Irish slang to calm them down. As you've already understood, “wind your neck in” means "be quiet!"<h3>Donkey's years</h3>The following Irish slang phrase has nothing in common with the actual donkey or his average life expectancy. Initially, “donkey's years” belonged to dockers who worked in ports. They used a crank called a donkey to put things on a ship, but it worked very slowly. That's why when someone asked how long they would load the ship, they would answer “donkey's years.”&nbsp;<h3>Divil a bit</h3>The collocation "divil a bit" means "not much" or "nothing new." So it's a perfect response to another Irish slang phrase, “What's the craic?”<h3>Giving out</h3>Phrasal verbs are one of the biggest pains of every English learner. Different prepositions or adverbs added to the same verb completely change the term's meaning. Memorizing each of them seems impossible. But as it turns out, native English speakers in different countries may have different phrasal verbs. For instance, the Irish slang “giving out,” which means “to complain,” is unfamiliar to British people. What a wonderful world of the English language!<h3>Thanks a million</h3>The meaning of this one is pretty obvious and literal. It correlates with the Italian “grazie mille.” Simply put, this Irish slang means “thank you very much.”<h2>How To Build an Irish Slang Dictionary With Promova</h2>Gaining English proficiency always starts by taking baby steps. You can't miss comprehending basic grammar, memorizing vocabulary, and improving well-rounded English skills for hours and move to speak English fluently with a great accent and slang words immediately. Unfortunately, that's not how language learning works. You need to achieve a certain level of English proficiency first and then add some spice, like Irish phrases and slang, to your speech. The process of learning any language requires patience and dedication.&nbsp;To get a positive and resultative guided experience in learning English, you should try Promova. Promova is a one-stop language learning tool for achieving the highest level of English proficiency with a personalized approach. We offer our learners a safe place with good vibes where they can show their language potential, discover something new and get access to possibilities they've never even dreamed about. Moreover, Promova can help you prepare your English for your first trip abroad, studying or immigrating to an English-speaking country and working in an international company with natives.&nbsp;Promova offers you a way to learn English through English with:<ul><li>the interactive mobile app, where you can find bite-sized lessons for any English level. Learn both grammar and vocabulary with cute flashcards using the spaced repetition method and show videos, practice basic conversations with the speaking simulator, and chat with fellow learners in chat;</li><li>tutoring programs where you can choose the format - individual lessons or group classes. Either way, we work only with professional certified English tutors with several years of teaching experience. First, determine your English level with a placement test. Then, book the first trial lesson for free to set your goals and expectations. Finally, start improving your English skills with a personalized plan tailored to your level, needs, interests, strengths, and weaknesses;</li><li>Conversation Club, which is free for any English learner. Every week we throw meetings for students who crave to practice speaking on various topics. We work in small groups of up to 5 people with a teacher who moderates the class. To join the Promova C<a href="https://promova.com/conversation-club">onversation Club</a>, all you need is to sign up in advance and have a B1 level of English fluency or above;</li><li>educational blog where you can read a trendy article to expand your vocabulary, refresh your knowledge about grammar, and practice reading itself;</li><li>social media platforms such as Instagram and TikTok, where our managers post English language learning content for more effortless grasping.&nbsp;</li></ul>If you are interested in Irish slang words and phrases and want to build your Irish slang dictionary, you can start taking <a href="https://promova.com/classes/private-english-class">private lessons</a> with the Promova tutors. They will gradually collect all the necessary information on the topic and integrate it into your personalized learning plan. In such a way, integrating Irish slang into your vocabulary will go smoothly as butter. Your brain won't be overloaded with many unfamiliar Irish terms and phrases.<h2>Conclusion</h2>Irish slang is not a must-to-use thing for every English learner. However, Irish terms and phrases should at least be part of your passive vocabulary if you are planning to go to Ireland or have friends and acquaintances from there. Irish people love to use slang in conversation to feel more connected with English. And if you don't understand the meaning of what seems to be just a set of familiar words, you'll definitely end up having a language wall between you and your interlocutor. This article aimed to introduce Irish slang words and their meaning to you to Irish up your English and make communication with Irish people more understandable. We've done our part, so now is your turn. Don't forget to practice those Irish slang words.&nbsp;

Get to know the colorful world of Irish slang with our guide. Learn 34 essential words and phrases to speak like a true Irishman!

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Irish Slang: 34 Words and Phrases That You Will Be Interested In

Police vocabulary is definitely not the first thing every English learner will pay attention to at the beginning

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Police Vocabulary: What Cops are Hiding From You

Many English learners can't stop wondering how British and American English could become so different. They see English as one language. So, In their opinion, people should use the same rules and words in every English-speaking country. However, in reality, American vs. British English are more siblings than identical twins. They had the same parents but the unique environment of each made them special in their own ways.&nbsp;<figure class="media"><div data-oembed-url="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5wSw3IWRJa0"><div style="position: relative; padding-bottom: 100%; height: 0; padding-bottom: 56.2493%;"><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/5wSw3IWRJa0" style="position: absolute; width: 100%; height: 100%; top: 0; left: 0;" frameborder="0" allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div></div></figure>Want to finally understand the reasons why American and British English differ? Then, read this article!<h2>British vs. American English: Which Was First</h2>Some mysteries will always stay mysteries because humanity doesn't have answers to all questions. After hundreds of years of discussions, we still can't say which came first, the chicken or the egg. However, in the case of British vs. American English, there is no reason for discussion, which was first. History gives us a clear answer to this question.&nbsp;The British variant of English occurred first. The United Kingdom as a country existed long before the US. That's the fact. However, before Columbus discovered the Americas in 1492, there was no such concept as a British or American variation of English. People in Great Britain spoke just English. Period.&nbsp;People broke English down into different variations after British colonists, along with other European representatives, reached the New World (the lands of North America, South America, and the Caribbean). The influence of other languages on British English was so strong that American English became a bay for a mixture of European languages where English still remained dominant.&nbsp;So why is there a difference between American and British English? Because these two variants of English are spoken by people with different backgrounds.&nbsp;<h2>American vs. British English: 3 Reasons Why They Differ</h2>On the one hand, American English naturally formed and separated from British English due to historical events and the distance between the continents. On the other hand, the formation of two variations of the English language was conditioned by conscious and intentional decisions made by British and American English adapters a long time ago. Let's take a closer look at the main reasons why the differences between American and British English exist.&nbsp;<h3>1. Brits discovered Received Pronunciation after the US colonization</h3>We are about to drop an informational bomb here, so prepare yourself. If we compare US vs. UK English, we'll discover that American English is actually older than British. How come?After British colonizers immigrated to the New World, they left their life behind and started developing what they had in the US. So naturally, Brits took their language with them, but English in Great Britain kept evolving and changing, leading to American English keeping old British language norms.&nbsp;The most demonstrative example is Received Pronunciation in British English. Rhotic speech (the clear and strong pronunciation of the sound r) was a significant feature of British English before the 18th century. So, Brits brought what now is known as Received Pronunciation to the Americas. At the same time, upper-class people in the UK found a way to distinguish themselves from lower-class people. They came up with the practice of softening their r's in general and dropping them at the end of the word. Following the example of aristocracy, commoners trained their speech apparatus to become a part of the trend and get closer to the rich. As a result, dropping r's makes you sound very posh today.&nbsp;<h3>2. American English borrowed many words from other languages</h3>Every language contains borrowed words from other languages. For instance, during the 1700s, after the colonization of the Americas, there was a trend in the UK to use French-style words and spelling. So, British English kept a lot of French vocabulary. However, American English is the most prominent example of a language mashup. The New World became a rescuing land for immigrants from all over Europe. They had to set a common ground regarding their language to communicate effectively and live in peace. Because the first settlers in the US territories were Brits, English became a core language there.Nonetheless, the cultural influence did the job, and American English gained many words from Spanish, German, Dutch, and some from other European languages. For instance, the term "kindergarten" is actually German, "cilantro" comes from Spain, and "bluff" originated from the Dutch. In addition, English US vs. English UK differs because of the loanwords from Native American languages. For example, American English is full of "raccoon," "moose," and "moccasin." Of course, Brits also know such words, but they use them rarely out of necessity, but there also are some&nbsp;<a href="https://promova.com/blog/10-american-words-that-british-people-don-t-understand">American words that British people don't understand</a>.&nbsp;<h3>3. Americans fought for US independence through the language</h3>The written norms of the English language were officially stated in the 18th century when the US gained its independence from Great Britain. The work on the UK English dictionary was already in progress, but the spelling wasn't standardized yet. So Americans saw their chance to distinguish themselves even more through the English language and took it.An American lexicographer Noah Webster thought that the spelling in the American dictionary must show the US independence as a country that was not a British colony anymore. And what could possibly better fit the task than more straightforward spelling that was more similar to the pronunciation of words? As opposed to the British dictionary, Webster took the letter u from words like colour and labour to make color and labor out of them. Also, he replaced s with z in the suffix -ise in verbs. So, now, in American English, we have "memorize" instead of "memorise" and "capitalize" instead of "capitalise." There are more spelling differences between American and British English, so keep exploring.&nbsp;You can also trace the chillax and straightforward manner of speech not only in American spelling but in how Americans build sentences in spoken English. For instance, they don't see a problem in dropping a preposition "to" in a sentence, "I'll text to you later today," or a verb, "go" in a sentence, "I could go to the movies." British people would never do that. They don't tend to simplify their speech and speak faster. That is why Americans often make jokes about Brits who speak too correctly. On the contrary, British people think of the American way of speaking not in the best way.&nbsp;6<h2>UK English vs. US English: Which One To Learn</h2>Which variation of English to choose - American or British is your personal business. However, you should keep in mind that British English is more academic, proper, and cold, while American English is more spread, straightforward and cheerful. If you take a quick look at&nbsp;<a href="https://promova.com/blog/guide-to-british-slang-40-common-british-phrases">British slang common phrases</a>, that might help you decide how you want to sound. If you feel like the slang Lizzo and Cardi B use is more of your cup of tea, then the decision is evident.&nbsp;Regardless of your choice, the tutoring program at Promova, the one-stop language learning platform, can help you to improve your English and make you feel confident while speaking. We offer individual lessons with certified English tutors who can teach you American or British English. Our teachers are professionals with several years of experience. Be sure that they will enlighten you in the world of British or American English. So sign in now and get the first trial lesson for free! And remember that you don't even need to choose British vs. American English. Promova can cover all your learning needs with the mobile app, various tutoring programs, free Conversation Club, educational blog, and fun social media.&nbsp;<h2>Conclusion</h2>So why is American English different from British English? Let's sum it up:<ol><li>American English saved the features of the old British English.</li><li>It borrowed many words from other languages, including the Native American languages.</li><li>Americans wanted to distinguish their variation of English from the British to emphasize their independence.</li></ol>All of that led to the fact that there are different British and American English words. Moreover, the accent of both language variations is the polar opposite. And the spelling differs in many cases, so you better keep the preferred autocorrection on your gadgets.&nbsp;<h2>&nbsp;</h2>

Want to finally understand the reasons why American and British English differ? Then, read this article!

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British vs. American English: Why Are They Different?

In English-speaking countries, they say that an apple a day keeps the doctor away. And we couldn't agree

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Medical Vocabulary: How To Talk About Conditions And Illnesses

It's been a while since we saw you the last time. Oh, c'mon, we are just joking. Of course, we know that

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Premier: Advanced Vocabulary From The Netflix Show You 4 Season

Raised along with modern technology and social media, don't raise any doubts that words associated with social media platforms have always existed in English. In fact, such a suggestion is false. The term "social media" is a neologism that occurred because people needed to give a name to their latest invention. That fact should make you realize that some words didn't exist before social media. So, let's take a look at must-know social media terms in English to eliminate a language gap that might occur between people of different generations.&nbsp;<h2>Social Media Terms That Occurred After Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and TikTok</h2>The influence and input of social media platforms in our life are hard to overestimate. People discover new things on social every single day because they share their knowledge with the world almost in real-time. No wonder the language that we use also has been influenced by social media. For instance, different words for social media were coined in English first and got borrowed. That is why you can already be aware of some slang for social media. However, Promova still suggests you get deeper and learn some words that didn't exist before social media.&nbsp;AvatarAvatar is a crucial part of any social media account today. It is one of those things that help users identify profiles out of thousands of others. Have you already guessed what an avatar is? Avatar defines as a small profile picture of the account owner's choice that represents the profile on socials. It can be an actual photo of a person, a drawing, an AI-generated image, or a logo. Every account chooses its own form of identification. For instance, the Netflix profile on Instagram will have the brand logo as its avatar. And it doesn't matter that there are several official Instagram profiles of the streaming platform on social media, depending on the country. They all have the same avatar because that helps users find the accounts within seconds. In fact, the social media word "avatar" means "descent" from Sanskrit.&nbsp;BingeableThis social media term comes from the verb "binge-watch," which means watching something rapidly. On its own, "bingeable" is an adjective that characterizes content that provokes the desire to watch all episodes or parts in rapid succession. The word has been around relatively recently. According to the Merriam-Webster Dictionary, the earliest documented use dates to 2013. For instance, "Wednesday" on Netflix is a bingeable TV show.&nbsp;Cancel cultureThe social media phrase "cancel culture" has roots in early-2010s Tumblr blogs but became more popular on Twitter and Instagram in the following years. "cancel culture" means a cultural boycott of a particular public figure, brand, or company in any industry because of their unacceptable actions or statements. The growth in using the phrase happened in 2016 and 2017 on Black Twitter. After that, the term has become even more popular. According to Google Trends data, the search interest in the phrase "cancel culture" occurred in the second half of 2018 and early 2019. In addition, TikTok brought a new wave of interest to the social media term "cancel culture."&nbsp;InstafamIt's no brainer to guess the meaning behind the word "Instafam." But it's vital to understand where it comes from for educational purposes. So, "Instafam" is a neologism that occurred due to social media development. The term occurred because of blending two already existing words together. "Instafam" is a portmanteau of "Instagram" and "family." So, it means a community of followers on a social media platform that a particular influencer or celebrity sees as very close and treats like a family.&nbsp;InstagrammableHere is another example of a neologism that didn't exist before Instagram. Instagrammable is a new way to determine whether something is photogenic. The suffix -able means "relevant or suitable to." So, the term describes something or someone visually attractive enough that it deserves posting on social media in general, not necessarily on Instagram.&nbsp;FollowershipTechnically, the term "followership" existed before social media because it was coined in the 20th century. However, back then, it had a different meaning. Today, people see followership as one kind of relationship between people. There is friendship, partnership, leadership, intimate relationship, and even situationship. Social media users coined the term followership to define the followers' connection to their following.&nbsp;HashtagHashtags exist as long as social media runs. They serve as a rubric indicator on the platforms. By adding a hashtag to your publication, you mark it as part of the specific topic. The social media users started implementing hashtags in their posts in October 2007, when San Diego resident Nate Ridder posted about the ongoing wildfires in the area with the hashtag #sandiegofire. However, the social media term "hashtag" was coined in a blog post in August 2007. And it wasn't until July 2009 that Twitter officially made hashtags an essential platform feature. #englishwithpromovaLeave on readThe collocation "leave on read" was added to Urban Dictionary in 2016. The number of people who noticed that their messages were read but the recipient decided not to bother themselves with an answer got huge. So, users felt a necessity to define such behavior on socials with a neologism. Today, the social media phrase "leave on read" is used not only on socials but in real life as well. The term means to ignore.&nbsp;RetweetTwitter has spawned many words, but some folks don't ponder that the term won't exist without the social media platform. A retweet is one of the basic social media terms coined because of Twitter. It can be used as both a noun and a verb. As a noun, it means a previously existing Twitter publication that another account has shared. The verb that describes the action of sharing someone's tweet is also called a retweet.&nbsp;SelfieThe fascinating fact about the selfie is that the one was taken for the first time a long time before people came up with the term for the meaning. An amateur chemist and photography enthusiast from the US, Robert Cornelius took the first self-portrait photo in 1839. But the word "selfie" was shaped only in 2002, when an Australian man, Nathan Hope, posted a picture of himself with the caption, "sorry about the focus, it was a selfie." And the star was born at that moment. In 2013 "selfie" made its way to the Oxford Dictionary because it gained massive popularity on social media. Today there is even a holiday dedicated to selfies - National Selfie Day.&nbsp;TweepsHere is another example of the social media word that formed thanks to Twitter. It took two years to invent this word after Twitter was launched in 2006. The term "tweeps" refer to Twitter users. It's a blend of the words Twitter and people.&nbsp;ViralBack in the days, the word "viral" meant something contagious, like a virus. However, in the digital era, the definition of the term slightly shifted. In social media lingo, the adjective describes the content that gets quickly and widely spread on socials.&nbsp;4<h2>Social Media Words: Acronyms Of The New Era</h2>Did you think communication via social media platforms couldn't get any faster? Wrong! To keep up with the rhythm of rapid conversations and shorten frequently used terms, social media users came up with acronyms. As convenient as acronyms are, they quickly become a part of social media terms. Folks loved the idea of merging several words and simplifying them into famous social media words that are more effortless in use. We are about to look at the most used words for social media that happened to become an inseparable part of the modern English glossary.&nbsp;DmDecoding: direct messageExample: Is it okay if I dm you the pic later?&nbsp;It's hardly possible that you haven't heard of the social media word "dm." The term means exchanging messages on any social media via the feature of direct messages implemented on social platforms. In fact, Facebook came up with the concept of "Private/Personal Message," known as PM. However, thanks to Twitter, social media users got DM. Later, Instagram made the term insanely popular. According to Google Trends, "dm" had been peaking in 2020. Today, the term can be a noun, a verb, or a part of a phrase. Thus, we have dm as a section with direct messages on social media, dm as a verb that means to reach out through private messaging and to slide into dms which defines as asking someone out or just casually texting via direct messages.&nbsp;FYP&nbsp;Decoding: for you pageExample: Why is it so tricky for gardening videos to appear on my FYP?This social media acronym is a unique term that can be applied only to one social media platform – TikTok. "FYP" is a specific page on TikTok where the platform's algorithms pick and show you the content that would be relevant and most likely enjoyable, especially for you. In 2016, TikTok just appeared as an app with funny music clips and dancing. So, it took quite some time for the term to become popular.&nbsp;"FYP" became popular when the pandemic of COVID-19 hit the world and made people stay home almost 24/7 for their safety. Out of boredom, people downloaded TikTok and helped it evolve into what it is now. To promote the video and make it go viral on TikTok, users used the hashtag "FYP," which claimed to be a real deal breaker then. Oddly, #fyp still remains in its position in video promotion and keeps the lead as the most widely used hashtag on the entire TikTok.MUADecoding: makeup artistExample:&nbsp;I beg you to give me the contact of your MUA. They did a terrific job covering that redness.&nbsp;The social media term "MUA" stands for makeup artist. It originated in the makeup industry in the 1990s when magazines started shortening "makeup artist" to emphasize who did the job for a specific photo or the whole shoot. So why, then we consider it a part of social media slang? Because it wasn't used among beauty lovers until 2017 when a Maybelline New York marketing campaign in collaboration with a beauty influencer Manny Gutierrez, who goes by Manny MUA on Youtube, made the consumers discover "MUA" as a word. Since then, people have started to use the term as a hashtag on Instagram and other social media and tag which did their makeup in posts with it.&nbsp;OCDecoding: original contentExample:&nbsp;By sending this message, I inform you that the video with bees is my OC, so you can't use it for your page for free.&nbsp;The acronym "OC" has several different meanings. However, we are interested only in the one related to social media. So, when viewed through the lens of social media platforms, OC stands for "original content." By that, people understand that the post, photo, or video text is an original creation, and all the rights belong to the author. The term meaning the original content dates back to 2009. Many people on socials claim their content to be OC even if they hoped into the trend. However, creating a trend can be seen as a CO if it was built from scratch.&nbsp;OOTDDecoding: outfit of the dayExample: This is my OOTD, simple and classy.&nbsp;OOTD is one of the social media's most popular and long-living trends. This term means outfit of the day. What day? Any day, it doesn't have to be a look for a special event or a major celebration. In 2010, Gen X started showing what they would wear on a regular day on Instagram, Twitter, Tumblr, and YouTube. The aim was to claim themselves stylish and gain more followers who are interested in fashion. As black never goes out of style, the OOTD remains to evolve and stay one of the biggest trends. It became a famous hashtag used to search for inspiration in trendy outfits. OOTD continues to live on and thrive today as crazy. It even has its own holiday. National #OOTD Day has been celebrated on June 30th since 1028.&nbsp;RLRT&nbsp;Decoding:&nbsp;Real-Life RetweetExample: What you've just said deserves RLRT.&nbsp;RLRT is a Twitter post based on something so incredible or blow-minding someone said in real life. A person's statement impressed you so much that you had to share it with members of Twittersphere. Twitter might not be that popular as a social media platform in your country. However, in the US and internationally, that's the easiest and quickest tool to share and spread a short message to the world. Many different social campaigns originated because of RLRT and Twitter itself.&nbsp;TBTDecoding:&nbsp;throwback ThursdayExample:TBT means throwback Thursday, when people share old photos or videos on socials because of nostalgia. According to Vox, the term originated from the hashtag used by blogger Mark Halfhill in 2006. It appeared on Instagram only in 2011, when some guy named Bobby made a post with a shot of Hot Wheels toy cars. People liked the sneak peeks from someone's past, so they started sharing them in posts often. More than 580 million publications have the hashtag #TBT. And just to be safe, we will mention that you can share content with #TBT only on Thursday. Otherwise, people see it as dumb. There was a time someone forgot to post on Thursday, so they had to come up with a new hashtag, #FlashbackFriday.&nbsp;<h2>How To Learn Social Media Words And Phrases With Promova</h2>To achieve English proficiency, you must keep up with learning new words. Grammar in any language is a steal and has not evolved over the past decades at all. On the contrary, the number of words in English keeps growing accordingly to how the world and society develop. For instance, the development of social media platforms provoked the emergence of new words. A part of the glossary that we cannot imagine our life today would not exist if social media were never invented.&nbsp;But if the world changes so rapidly, how to follow all the updates in the English lexicon? Download and get on the Promova language learning platform. It is your best assistance in expanding English vocabulary and improving well-rounded English skills.&nbsp;You can work on your vocabulary using the <a href="https://promova.com/language-learning-app">Promova app</a>, where you can find hundreds of bite-sized English (and not only) lessons for any level. Not only do we give our learners the essential glossary to build a solid foundation for further real-life communication in English. We also follow trends and up-to-date topics and carry on the neologisms that appear in language as it evolves. You can see how the English lexicon developed over the past few decades and learn those words and phrases that remain in English today.&nbsp;<a href="https://promova.com/blog/90s-slang">90s slang</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://promova.com/blog/vocabulary-from-the-early-2000s">vocabulary from the early 2000s</a>, or&nbsp;<a href="https://promova.com/blog/gen-z-vocabulary">Gen Z vocabulary</a> – we have to learn it all. And social media terms won't be an exception.&nbsp;<a href="https://promova.com/">Promova</a> is a one-stop tool for learning English through English. However, if you feel that learning the language using the bite-sized lessons is not enough and you are craving more, you can always sign up for one of the Promova tutoring programs. We work exclusively with <a href="https://promova.com/online-english-tutors">certified English teachers</a> with several years of experience who regularly improve their teaching methods and overall qualification. Any topic you are interested in will be covered during the class. Your tutor will teach you the way that suits you best, so you can comprehend information and improve your English skills in no time.&nbsp;In addition, we suggest you join our free Conversation Club, read our blog and follow us on social media. The more you expose yourself to English, the faster and better results you'll get.&nbsp;ConclusionLiving in a digital era alone might not be easy for everyone because of the modern technology and vocabulary we have to keep up with. However, the real challenge begins when it's time for you to learn all of the social media rems in English to feel included in the conversations and daily online life of English speakers. After reading this article, you must not have problems with social media words. Don't worry if you didn't manage to remember all of them from the first attempt. Acquiring new vocabulary might be a challenging process. Instead of beating yourself up, you should try going on socials and making all the latest social media phrases settle in your head so you can recognize and use them effortlessly in the future.&nbsp;

Raised along with modern technology and social media, don't raise any doubts that words associated with social media

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19 Words That Didn't Exist Before Social Media

How long does it take to learn English? That is one of the most common questions that crosses every English learner's mind when they begin or make another attempt at learning English. And there is nothing wrong with asking that question. Every goal should be achievable within adequate deadlines. The same applies to learning English. So, how many hours does it take to learn English? Let's break that down.&nbsp;<h2>How Many Hours Does It Take To Learn A Language</h2>Learning a new language is an intimidating process. First, you need to accept that you won't become fluent overnight, so you must dedicate hundreds of hours in order to learn a language. And the average time to learn a language would be different for every case and every language.&nbsp;Let's say you choose between learning English and Spanish, but you already know Italian. In that case, you will learn Spanish much faster than English. The reason is that Italian and Spanish come from the same language family, so they share many grammar structures and vocabulary. At the same time, English might seem more complex, mainly because the spelling and pronunciation of the words are different, but in Spanish and Italian, they are the same.&nbsp;The answer to the question "How long does it usually take to learn a language?" would still be hundreds of hours. However, whether it will be 100 or 1000 depends only on your current level, languages you already speak, dedication, and consistency in learning.&nbsp;Some tips can help you to concentrate on language learning and shorten the average time to learn a language by at least some hours.&nbsp;<ol><li>Set short-term and long-term goals. They will help you to stay motivated and determine what you need to learn first and by which deadlines realistically.&nbsp;</li><li>Find a mentor or a professional teacher to guide you. Learning a language alone is less effective than enrolling in a guided experience. There are certain things that learners have to know at every level of language proficiency. Some grammar might be challenging to break down with no additional assistance. There is nothing to ashamed of about asking for help to achieve better results.&nbsp;</li><li>Determine your current level and create a plan. Not every learner starts their language learning journey from scratch. Some people tend to pause long and return after months or years of not practicing. So, if you knew a language at the intermediate level a year ago, you will need time to remember what you've known before and practice those skills again. The plan will make the learning process much easier and more understandable. Once your brain knows what to expect, it has fewer reasons to worry, freak out, and sabotage your learning journey.&nbsp;</li></ol><h2>How Long Does It Take To Learn English On Average</h2>Since we've already defined how fast someone can learn a language in general, let's get more specific and talk about learning English. So, how long does it take to become fluent in another language? Linguists and language learning specialists don't usually estimate it in months or years. Predicting how much time a person will need to reach English proficiency by hours is more accurate.&nbsp;The Promova Language Learning Specialist, Nataliia Afonina, explains:"There are about a hundred methods to learn a foreign language and not a single perfect one. Why is it so? One of the reasons is the amount of time we learn the language. It has been calculated that a classroom learner would need more than eighteen years of classroom exposure to supply the same amount of vocabulary input that occurs in just one year in natural settings. Another significant difficulty is in the potential size of the lexicon. An educated native speaker will have a vocabulary of around 20,000-word families. What is more, 5000 of them are acquired by the age of 5, according to the book "How to teach vocabulary" by Scott Thornbury. Meanwhile, most adult language learners will not have acquired 5000-word families even after several years of study. So, how many words does the learner need to know? It has been estimated that most native speakers use 2000 words in their daily conversations. That's a strong argument for equipping a learner with core 2000 high-frequency words as quickly as possible. The researcher Paul Meara estimated that at the rate of 50 words a week, this target could be reached in 40 weeks or one academic year. However, vocabulary is not the only skill that language learners need to work on. That is why learning English, for instance, will take hundreds of hours."Indeed, according to the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR), it takes approximately&nbsp;200 hours of guided learning to improve your English skills by one level. By guided learning, language professionals understand individual or group lessons with certified English teachers plus homework and different kinds of independent study like watching films, listening to podcasts, reading books, and talking with real people. That is one of&nbsp;<a href="https://promova.com/blog/what-is-the-best-way-to-learn-english">the best ways to learn English</a> today.&nbsp;In general, the correlation between the guided hours you spend learning English and the English level you can gain looks like so:- from Beginner (A0) to Elementary (A1) – 90-100 hours- from Elementary (A1) to Pre-Intermediate (A2) – 90-100 hours- from Pre-Intermediate (A2) to Intermediate (B1) – 170-200 hours- from Intermediate (B1) to Upper-Intermediate (B2) – 150-200 hours- from Upper-Intermediate (B2) to Advanced (C1) – 200 hours- from Advanced (C1) to Proficiency (C2) – 300-500 hours.&nbsp;As you can see, the higher the level, the more hours you need to achieve the next one. And that is because there are specific requirements by skills that you need to fit after hundreds of hours of learning at every English level. Want to know more about English proficiency levels and what it takes to make the most out of them? Read the article&nbsp;<a href="https://promova.com/blog/english-levels">here</a>.&nbsp;Even though English is not the most difficult language, you will need 1000-1200 hours of guided learning to become fluent starting from zero. Reaching English Proficiency (C2) level is the most challenging and capacious process. Not everyone aims to become fully proficient in English because it seems impossible, even for natives. Did you know that native English speaker must also expand their vocabulary by memorizing new words? Well, that's not a cap. They have no other choice. The English language cannot stay still. It constantly evolves and changes, adapting to people's lives. According to&nbsp;<a href="https://www.merriam-webster.com/help/faq-how-many-english-words">the Merriam-Webster Dictionary</a>, there are over a million words in the English language. And you may bump into a new word that is used relatively rarely, even after more than 1200 hours of guided learning. That is why English learners are considered to be life-long students.&nbsp;4<h2>How Many Hours Does It Take To Learn English With Promova</h2>There is a number of factors that affect how long it takes to learn a language fully. The most relevant are your language learning background, your study intensity, and the tools you use. Probably, you've already tried different methods and&nbsp;<a href="https://promova.com/blog/best-apps-for-learning-english-2022">apps for learning English</a>, right? So far, so not that good? Then we recommend you Promova as your one-stop solution tool for learning English. It's a gift that keeps on giving.&nbsp;We offer our students the best English learning experience by immersing them in the English language as much as possible and connecting all possible ways of improving language, such as:- the mobile app with flashcards and videos on vocabulary and grammar;- tutoring programs;- Conversation Club;- the community of like-minded people;- language learning blog;- social media for additional casual practice.&nbsp;Promova English learners always have the best experience because we focus on learning English through English without using your primary language. When you push your brain to switch to English, acquiring the language happens much more manageable and naturally. It can be compared to moving to an English-speaking country.&nbsp;As we mentioned before, guided experience in learning English is the key to success. Unfortunately, there are a few&nbsp;<a href="https://promova.com/blog/signs-to-start-working-with-an-english-tutor">signs that you need to start working with an English tutor</a>. Luckily for you, the <a href="https://promova.com/">Promova language learning platform</a> has a legit tutoring program, so you don't need to worry about&nbsp;<a href="https://promova.com/blog/how-to-find-a-good-english-tutor">how to find a good English teacher</a>. All our tutors are true professionals with several years of experience who know how to build an effective learning plan and achieve maximum results within deadlines. When creating a personalized program, they are guided by your current level goals, interests, availability, strengths, and weaknesses. In addition, taking&nbsp;<a href="https://promova.com/intro-tutors">the Promova test</a> will help you determine your English proficiency level and clarify how many hours you need to reach fluency.&nbsp;<h2>Conclusion</h2>How long does it take to learn English? Thanks to this article, this question doesn't look like a mystery to you now. 1000-1200 hours of guided learning and English proficiency will be in your pocket. So stay consistent, keep going, push hard, motivate yourself, and practice daily, and you will get to the point you've always dreamed about.&nbsp;

How long does it take to learn English? That is one of the most common questions that crosses every English learner's

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Less Than You Think: How Long Does It Take To Learn English? 

After the blow-minding news that Rihanna will perform at the Super Bowl 2023 halftime show

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Super Bowl 2023: American Football Vocabulary

Music is one of those topics that are great for small talk. If you don't really know a person you are interacting with

Articles by Tori Torn