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AEE: Are You Slaying English?

In this episode, the hosts dive into the dynamic world of modern English slang, focusing on how language evolves through culture, media, and everyday interaction. They explore how words take on new life far beyond their original meanings, shaping the way people connect and express themselves.
The discussion centers on the verb 'slay', tracing its journey from a violent past in fantasy tales to a celebratory slang term meaning to excel or impress. While traditionally conjugated as 'slew' (past tense) and 'slain' (past participle), modern usage increasingly accepts 'slayed', especially in American English. The hosts highlight how pop culture—like Johnny Depp’s Edward Scissorhands—influences slang, using costume praise at a Halloween party as a playful example. They emphasize that language thrives through creativity and connection, not rigid rules. Social affirmations like 'track' instead of 'got it' further illustrate informal evolution in spoken English. Ultimately, the episode celebrates how slang reflects identity, humor, and shared understanding, encouraging learners to embrace real-world language use over perfection.
03:21
03:21
Slay can mean to kill violently, but now often describes excelling or performing impressively.
06:45
06:45
'Slayed' is now widely accepted alongside 'slew' in American English.
10:48
10:48
Slay is used in present tense to mean doing exceptionally well, not conjugated as 'slew' or 'slain'.
13:12
13:12
'Slay' is used both as a compliment and a humorous exaggeration of violence.