kills or destroys something; in modern slang, it means to do something really well or impressively.
From Old English 'slean' meaning 'to strike or kill.' The modern slang usage emerged in African American Vernacular English and exploded through internet culture in the 2010s, transforming an old word of violence into one of admiration.
Language is constantly reborn—the same word once meaning death now means excellence! This shows how marginalized communities shape mainstream language, and how meanings can completely flip while keeping the same sound.
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