Jargon vs. Slang — What's the Difference?
By Maham Liaqat & Urooj Arif — Updated on May 8, 2024
Jargon consists of specialized terms used by professionals in specific fields, while slang refers to informal language, often used by certain groups or communities for casual communication.
Difference Between Jargon and Slang
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Jargon refers to specialized language used by professionals or those deeply familiar with a particular industry. It helps convey precise meaning efficiently within the field. Slang, on the other hand, is informal language used socially by groups for expression and identity, often evolving quickly.
Jargon can sometimes be confusing or unintelligible to those outside a particular field due to its specificity. Slang often relies on playful, creative language that changes based on trends or cultural shifts.
While jargon is intended to increase clarity for insiders, it might be seen as exclusionary by outsiders. Slang is more about connecting people socially and expressing attitudes, often breaking grammatical rules intentionally.
Jargon terms are often consistent and used globally within professions like medicine or law. Slang varies greatly across regions and generations, sometimes fading out and reappearing with new meanings.
Comparison Chart
Purpose
Precise, specialized communication
Informal, creative, and expressive language
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Users
Professionals or experts in specific fields
General public, specific social groups
Context
Professional, technical settings
Casual conversations, popular culture
Permanence
More stable over time
Highly variable, trends come and go
Accessibility
Often confusing for non-experts
Generally understood among peers
Compare with Definitions
Jargon
Field-specific vocabulary.
In engineering jargon, load-bearing specifies structural support.
Slang
Playful, expressive language popularized by trends.
Lit and fam are current examples of slang.
Jargon
Words or phrases used exclusively by experts.
Scientists often communicate using complex jargon.
Slang
Vocabulary unique to subcultures or age groups.
Surfer slang like gnarly reflects their lifestyle.
Jargon
Terms that convey specific meaning to insiders.
Bandwidth in IT jargon refers to data capacity.
Slang
Casual speech that's constantly evolving.
Older generations find it difficult to keep up with new slang.
Jargon
Specialized language used within a profession.
Medical jargon can be hard to understand without training.
Slang
Informal words used within specific communities.
The teenagers' slang confused the adults.
Jargon
Technical language designed for precise communication.
Legal jargon like habeas corpus is common in courtrooms.
Slang
Words or phrases that break grammatical conventions.
Modern internet slang includes acronyms like LOL.
Jargon
Jargon is the specialized terminology associated with a particular field or area of activity. Jargon is normally employed in a particular communicative context and may not be well understood outside that context.
Slang
Slang is language (words, phrases, and usages) of an informal register. It also sometimes refers to the language generally exclusive to the members of particular in-groups prefer over the common vocabulary of a standard language in order to establish group identity, exclude outsiders, or both.
Jargon
The specialized language of a trade, profession, or similar group, especially when viewed as difficult to understand by outsiders
A crime novel that uses a lot of police jargon.
Slang
A kind of language occurring chiefly in casual and playful speech, made up typically of coinages and figures of speech that are deliberately used in place of standard terms for added raciness, humor, irreverence, or other effect.
Jargon
Nonsensical or incoherent language
"Your description will be considered as mere jargon by every man of sense" (Alexander Hamilton).
Slang
Language peculiar to a group; argot or jargon
Thieves' slang.
Jargon
A hybrid language or dialect; a pidgin. Not in technical use.
Slang
To use slang.
Jargon
To speak in or use jargon.
Slang
To use angry and abusive language
Persuaded the parties to quit slanging and come to the bargaining table.
Jargon
(uncountable) A technical terminology unique to a particular subject.
Slang
To attack with abusive language; vituperate
"They slanged each other with every foul name they had learned from the age of three" (Virginia Henley).
Jargon
(countable) A language characteristic of a particular group.
Slang
Language outside of conventional usage and in the informal register.
Jargon
(uncountable) Speech or language that is incomprehensible or unintelligible; gibberish.
Slang
Language that is unique to a particular profession or subject; jargon.
Jargon
To utter jargon; to emit confused or unintelligible sounds.
Slang
The specialized language of a social group, sometimes used to conceal one's meaning from outsiders; cant.
Jargon
Confused, unintelligible language; gibberish.
Slang
(countable) A particular variety of slang; the slang used by a particular group.
Jargon
An artificial idiom or dialect; cant language; slang.
The jargon which serves the traffickers.
Slang
(countable) An item of slang; a slang word or expression.
Jargon
A variety of zircon. See Zircon.
Slang
(India) A curse word.
Jargon
To utter jargon; to emit confused or unintelligible sounds; to talk unintelligibly, or in a harsh and noisy manner.
The noisy jay,Jargoning like a foreigner at his food.
Slang
Any long, narrow piece of land; a promontory.
Jargon
A characteristic language of a particular group (as among thieves);
They don't speak our lingo
Slang
A fetter worn on the leg by a convict.
Jargon
A colorless (or pale yellow or smoky) variety of zircon
Slang
A counterfeit weight or measure.
Jargon
Specialized technical terminology characteristic of a particular subject
Slang
A travelling show, or one of its performances.
Slang
A hawker's license.
Slang
A watchchain.
Slang
To vocally abuse, or shout at.
Slang
To sell especially illegal drugs.
Slang
Any long, narrow piece of land; a promontory.
Slang
A fetter worn on the leg by a convict.
Slang
Low, vulgar, unauthorized language; a popular but unauthorized word, phrase, or mode of expression; also, the jargon of some particular calling or class in society; low popular cant; as, the slang of the theater, of college, of sailors, etc.
Slang
To address with slang or ribaldry; to insult with vulgar language.
Every gentleman abused by a cabman or slanged by a bargee was bound there and then to take off his coat and challenge him to fisticuffs.
Slang
Informal language consisting of words and expressions that are not considered appropriate for formal occasions; often vituperative or vulgar;
Their speech was full of slang expressions
Slang
A characteristic language of a particular group (as among thieves);
They don't speak our lingo
Slang
Use slang or vulgar language
Slang
Fool or hoax;
The immigrant was duped because he trusted everyone
You can't fool me!
Slang
Abuse with coarse language
Common Curiosities
How does jargon differ from slang?
Jargon is technical and specific to professions, while slang is informal and often used socially.
Can jargon and slang overlap?
Yes, technical jargon can occasionally be adopted as slang and vice versa.
Are jargon and slang used globally?
Jargon tends to be more standardized, while slang is highly regional and cultural.
Is jargon hard to understand for non-experts?
Yes, jargon is usually confusing to those unfamiliar with the field.
Does slang have a shorter lifespan than jargon?
Typically, slang evolves rapidly, unlike jargon, which is more consistent.
Can jargon become outdated?
Yes, as technology or industry changes, some jargon can become obsolete.
Is slang universal?
No, it often varies significantly by region and community.
Do professionals always use jargon in their work?
They use it frequently to communicate efficiently with colleagues.
Does slang differ between generations?
Yes, younger and older generations often use different slang terms.
Is slang considered disrespectful?
Not necessarily; it depends on the context and audience.
Are there benefits to using jargon or slang?
Jargon aids technical clarity, while slang fosters social bonds.
Is slang used in formal writing?
Slang is generally avoided in formal writing unless used for stylistic effect.
Why is jargon important in professional fields?
It facilitates precise and effective communication among experts.
How can I learn more about specific jargon or slang?
Immersing yourself in relevant professional or social contexts is helpful.
Can slang and jargon alienate people?
Both can be exclusionary, as they may not be understood by all audiences.
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Written by
Maham Liaqat
Co-written by
Urooj ArifUrooj is a skilled content writer at Ask Difference, known for her exceptional ability to simplify complex topics into engaging and informative content. With a passion for research and a flair for clear, concise writing, she consistently delivers articles that resonate with our diverse audience.
