Collegese

/ˌkɑːlɪˈdʒiz/ noun

Definition

The distinctive language, slang, or manner of speech used by college students; university jargon or colloquial speech.

Etymology

From college plus the suffix -ese (meaning 'the language or style of'). This playful formation emerged in 20th-century American English to describe distinctive campus speech patterns.

Kelly Says

Collegese changes constantly—slang from 1970s universities sounds hilariously dated now, which is why linguists study it to track how youth language evolves and how those changes reshape society.

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