Which NYC newspaper is best for American Slang

Question

NY Post? NY Daily? Newsday? Times?Last week there was a news on a Channel two Sports talkshow anchor being fired. The word the newspaper used is 'sacked'. Took me the whole story to learn what it means. So I want to spend some time on improving my understanding of American slangs, but which newspaper is best for learning slangs?

Usenet · Accepted Answer

[nq:1]NY Post? NY Daily? Newsday? Times? Last week there was a news on a Channel two Sports talkshow anchor being ... want to spend some time on improving my understanding of American slangs, but which newspaper is best for learning slangs?[/nq]
I don't think you're going to learn what slang expressions mean from any newspaper. Unless you are reading a columnist's output, most newspaper articles don't use slang terms unless they are quoting someone. If they do use it, the slang term is going to be common enough so that they won't explain it.
"Sacked" is more of a BrE term than an AmE term. It's used and understood here, but it's not as common a term in the US as it might be in the UK. "He got the sack" - which means the same - might be used a little more here. I can't really explain why we'd use one more commonly than the other, or even if I'm sure we do. I do know that I've seen it more.
You might start your learning experience by writing "slang", "slang terms", or "slang expressions". "Slangs" is not correct.

Usenet · Answer

[nq:1]NY Post? NY Daily? Newsday? Times?[/nq]
Coop's right (when he's right he's right): none of these sorts of publications is a good source for slang, AmE or otherwise.

Of those newspapers, some use more informal language (especially in headlines) than others. The two extremes are the New York Times (relatively formal (for a newspaper, that is)) and the New York Post (relatively informal). The Daily News (not "NY Daily") is close to the Post.
Newsday is NOT a New York City newspaper! (though it was for some years). It's a Long Island newspaper. Languagewise it's like the Daily News.
[nq:1]Last week there was a news on a Channel two Sports talkshow anchor being fired. The word the newspaper used ... want to spend some time on improving my understanding of American slangs, but which newspaper is best for learning slangs?[/nq]
Again, don't use a conventional newspaper to learn slang. Better to concentrate on television, which may be what you're doing.

When Coop's right he's right. "Sacked" = 'fired' is mainly a Hiberno-Briticism. You sure this wasn't Bibbicy Weld on Channel 13?

Coop's also right about "slang" (not "slangs").

Usenet · Answer

[nq:1]When Coop's right he's right.[/nq]
Now, Areff, that sentence needs a comma after the first "right."

"When Coop's right, he's right."

Dena Jo
Email goes to denajo2 at the dot com variation of the Yahoo domain. Have I confused you? Go here:
http://myweb.cableone.net/denajo/emailme.htm

Usenet · Answer

[nq:1]"Sacked" is more of a BrE term than an AmE term. It's used and understood here, but it's not as ... more commonly than the other, or even if I'm sure we do. I do know that I've seen it more.[/nq]
Perhaps the use of "sacked" in the context the original poster quoted was an attempt at word-play. True, "sack" as "to discharge from a job" is BrE, but it is used and understood by AmE speakers, especially in the NYC region.

That said, we are talking a sports-caster here. Those interested in the employment of sports-casters would be familiar with the term "sacked" as in (American) football, "to tackle the quarterback behind the line of scrimmage" - i.e., not just to tackle, but to throw the quarterback for a loss.

Could-be - afterall it was a NYC newspaper that gave us "Headless Body Found in Topless Bar!"
Rehards,
Frank

Usenet · Answer

[nq:2]"Sacked" is more of a BrE term than an AmE ... we do. I do know that I've seen it more.[/nq]
[nq:1]Perhaps the use of "sacked" in the context the original poster quoted was an attempt at word-play. True, "sack" as ... for a loss. Could-be - afterall it was a NYC newspaper that gave us "Headless Body Found in Topless Bar!"[/nq]
I don't see that at all. Sportscasters may make sports analogies, but newscasters talking about sports don't. "Sacked" in football means tackled behind the line of scrimmage. The players (both the sacker and the sackee) continue to play the game, though, and are not penalized. The sacked sportscaster is out of the game for that station or network.
That doesn't mean it couldn't be a word play. Many newscasters don't know sports terms all that well, and may attempt to make an inappropriate play on words.
I once saw a female news anchor say that the Tampa Bay Buccaneers had hired a new back-up quartered back. She said it very distinctly, and without the slightest sign of making a joke. She's one of those kind that comments on news stories after the remote reporter signs off: "Isn't that terrible, Randy, I know we'll all be praying for him." after a story about a dog-bite victim. Yechh.

Usenet · Answer

On 02 Jun 2004 16:53:58 GMT, Frank Curcio (Email Removed) wrote, in part:
[nq:2]"Sacked" is more of a BrE term than an AmE ... do. I do know that I've seen it more. [/nq]
[nq:1]True, "sack" as "to discharge from a job" is BrE, but it is used and understood by AmE speakers, especially in the NYC region.[/nq]
Yes, I was surprised to read the previous poster's comment that it's uncomon in the States, and even more surprised to read his claim that 'got the sack' is more common. (I'm a recent transplant from NYC.)

Michael Hamm NB: Of late, my e-mail address is being AM, Math, Wash. U. St. Louis 'spoofed' a bit. That is, spammers send (Email Removed) e-mail that seems to be from me. Please http://math.wustl.edu/~msh210/ realize that no spam is in fact from me.

Usenet · Answer

[nq:2]True, "sack" as "to discharge from a job" is BrE, but it is used and understood by AmE speakers, especially in the NYC region.[/nq]
[nq:1]Yes, I was surprised to read the previous poster's comment that it's uncomon in the States, and even more surprised to read his claim that 'got the sack' is more common. (I'm a recent transplant from NYC.)[/nq]
"Sacked" is more of a BrE term than an AmE term. It's used and understood here, but it's not as common a term in the US as it might be in the UK."
That is not a statement that "sacked" is uncommonly used in the US. One might say that drinking (hot) tea is not as common in the US as it is in the UK without any inference that (hot) tea is an uncommon drink in the US. It's only comparative.

"He got the sack" - which means the same - might be used a little more here. I can't really explain why we'd use one more commonly than the other, or even if I'm sure we do. I do know that I've seen it more."
There's quite a bit of hedging in the last paragraph. and it's not the usual Areffian flat statement of what I don't observe doesn't exist and what I do personally observe can be extrapolated to include the entire civilized world as we know it.
I'm getting better at hedging my statements by including phrases like "from what I've seen" or "in my experience". I insist on being given credit for this. Otherwise, I shall pout.

Usenet · Answer

[nq:1]I'm getting better at hedging my statements by including phrases like "from what I've seen" or "in my experience".[/nq]
I find that you use to use "around here", which is conveeniently ambiguous, Coop.

Which NYC newspaper is best for American Slang

Top answer

Get the Weekly English Kit 📬

Related Questions