By
ARI HANGGORO 107026001588
ENGLISH LETTERS DEPARTMENT
ADAB AND HUMANITIES FACULTY
STATE ISLAMIC UNIVERSITY
³
SYARIF HIDAYATULLAH
´
JAKARTA
i
Thesis: English Letters Department, Faculty of Adab and Humanities, State Islamic University Syarif Hidayatullah Jakarta, 2011.
This thesis discusses the meanings, kinds, and the reasons of using slang in
American Gangster movie directed by Ridley Scott, produced by Universal Pictures, 2007. The main objective of the research is to know the kinds of slang terms and the reasons of using them in American Gangster movie.
This research uses qualitative method, the writer uses Eric Partridge theories and other relevant references. He uses the movie’s scripts that initialized in the movie as the unit of analysis, then he also uses the background and setting of the movie to make the reasons of the characters why they are using the slang terms.
Through this paper, the writer finds the research findings that there are two kinds of slang that initialized in the movie, they are society and soldiers’ slang. However, he only focuses on the slang terms that have high frequency, it is society slang.
ii
AN ANALYSIS OF SLANG TERMS IN THE “AMERICAN GANGSTER”, A MOVIEDIRECTED BY RIDLEY SCOTT
A Thesis
Submitted to Faculty of Letters and Humanities In Partial Fulfilment of the Requirements for
The Degree of Letters Scholar
Ari Hanggoro No. 107026001588
Approved By:
Sholikatus Sa’diyah, M. Pd 197504172005012007
ENGLISH LETTERS DEPARTMENT FACULTY OF LETTERS AND HUMANITIES
STATE ISLAMIC UNIVERSITY OF SYARIF HIDAYATULLAH JAKARTA
iii NIM : 107026001588
Title : An Analysis of Slang Terms in The “American Gangster”, A Movie Directed by Ridley Scott
The thesis entitled has been defended before the Letter and Humanities Faculty’s Examination Committee on October 05, 2011. It has already been accepted as a partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of strata one.
Jakarta, October 05, 2011
Examination Committee
Signature Date
1. Drs. Asep Saefuddin, M.Pd (Chair Person) 19640710 199303 1 006
2. Elve Oktafiyani, M.Hum (Secretary) 19781003 200112 2 002
3. Sholikatus Sa’diyah, M.Pd (Advisor) 197504172 0050 1207
4. Drs. Abdul Hamid, M.Ed (Examiner I) _________ _________ 150 181 922
iv
I hereby declare that this submission is my own work and that, to my best knowledge and belief, it contains no material previously published or written by another person nor material which to a substantial extent has been accepted for the award of any other degree or diploma of the university or other institute of higher learning, except where due acknowledgment has been made in the text.
Jakarta, June 27, 2011
v
Foremost, praise belongs to Allah SWT, the Most Merciful of the world. Thank for all of grace to the writer, for the chance to have a breath in every second, for giving him a wonderful life, for guiding him to finish this thesis. Peace and blessing of Allah may be upon the messenger of Allah, Muhammad SAW, his family and his companions.
In this circumstance, the writer would be saying thanks to his beloved mother Atiek Suharti , how an awesome mother she has, who has always given support and full-financial during his study, for giving him everlasting loves, immolation, supports, pray wherever he is and officially his father. Thank for all of sincerity in every single step his life. The writer also wants to thank Mrs. Sholikatus Sa’diyah, M. Pd, as the writer’s advisor, for her time, guidance, kindness, wisdom, critics, correcting, and helping the writer for completing this thesis.
Thanks for all the valuable people that help the writer in doing this research. It would not be finished without their aids and supports. They are as follows:
vi
3. All of the lecturers in English Department for teaching him many things during his study.
4. His beloved brothers and sister especially for Anton Sulistio and Adi Sujarwo for all of any supports.
5. His close-mates, Lutfhy Sumirat, Riwal, Afwan, Anwar, Sangka, Toriq, Daus, Tadarus, Ilham, Hady, Wefri for their helps, supports, advices, motivations, jokes.
6. English class-mates who cannot be mentioned one by one and KKN 73 Cosivens, for love, affection, lesson, laugh, happiness, madness and whole lot of unforgettable moments.
7. All of members of KMM RIAK for the warm feeling, chance to exploration, JANGKRIK, Night Vision and The Volcanoes.
8. The librarians of Humanities Library and PKBB UNIKA Atma Jaya Library.
9. And all people who contributed to finish this thesis that cannot be mentioned one by one, thanks for your kindness.
Jakarta, June 27, 2011
vii
ABSTRACT ... i
APPROVAL SHEET………. ... ii
LEGALIZATION………. ... iii
DECLARATION... iv
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT... v
TABLE OF CONTENTS... vii
CHAPTER I. INTRODUCTION... 1
A. Background of the Study... 1
B. Focus of the Study... 4
C. The Research Questions ... 4
D. Significance of the Research ... 4
E. Research Methodology ... 5
1. Objective of the Research ... 5
2. Method of the Research ... 5
3. Technique of Data Analysis ... 5
4. Instrument of the Research... 6
5. Unit of Analysis ... 6
6. Time and Place of the Research ... 6
CHAPTER II. THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK... 7
A. The Definitions of Slang ... 7
viii
E. Understanding of the Standard English ... 21
F. Introduction to Movie ... .22
CHAPTER III. RESEARCH FINDINGS………27
A. Data Description... 27
B. Data Analysis ... 28
CHAPTER IV. CONCLUSION AND SUGGESTION... 48
A. Conclusion... 48
B. Suggestion ... 49
BIBLIOGRAPHY... .50
1
A. Background of the Study
Essentiallyhuman has a predicate as communal people, thereby in this life
always interact with another people and their neighbourhood in social context. It
would be unavoidable the interaction with another people is a necessity for human
themselves. Therefore, communication is an important thing to do.
The existence of language would be needed in daily communication
SUDFWLFHGE\SHRSOH³In linguistics language is a system of vocal symbol which is
agreed; it is used by members of certain society group in collaboration,
FRPPXQLFDWLRQDQGVHOILGHQWLI\LQJ´1 It is possible to say that the usefulness of
language to convey ideas of someone. Not only represents ideas but also social
identity, the language used by human. In other words, the linguistic habits of
someone or a group will be recognized by others. A. Chaedar Awasilah said in his
ERRN ³Kebiasaan bahasa (linguistics habits) seseorang atau kelompok akan
diketahui pihak lain, dengan kata lain kebiasaan-kebiasaan itu dengan sendirinya
akan diasosiasikan pihak lain dengan seseorang atau kelompok itu´2, or it can be
said The linguistics habits of someone or group will be recognized by others.
Automatically the others will beassociated that habits with someone or the group
itself.
1
Kushartanti, dkk, ed, Pesona Bahasa Langkah Awal Memahami Linguistik (Jakarta: PT. Gramedia Pustaka Umum, 2005), p. 3
2
In social relationship, language is used by someone to represent who they
are, it relates with strong identity of a certain social group and it is represented by
slang. Hartmann and Stork said ³6ODQJ LV D YDULHW\ RI VSHHFK FKDUacterized by
newly coined and rapidly changing vocabulary, used by the young or by social
DQGSURIHVVLRQDOJURXSVIRUµLQ-JURXS¶FRPPXQLFDWLRQDQGWKXVWHQGLQJWRSUHYHQW
XQGHUVWDQGLQJE\WKHUHVWRIWKHVSHHFKFRPPXQLW\´3. According to the quotation,
slang not only used by the young but also professional, and also slang is a variety
of language that is known by the certain social group.
Slang indicates non-standard language, most of people often use slang on
certain occasion. Word or phrases slang usually found because of habits or ideas
that appear in society. The using of slang in society as if a mode, slang appears
and mostly people choose to use it, and usually it can be found everywhere.
:LVKQXEURWR :LGDUVR ILJXUHV RXW LQ KLV ERRN ³Slang juga seperti fashion;
muncul, setiap orang menyukainya, lalu menggunakannya dan biasa ditemukan di
manapun´4 RU WKH SRLQW LV ³6ODQJ DOVR OLNH DV D IDVKLRQ LW FRPHV ZKHQ
HYHU\ERG\ OLNHV LW WKH\ ZLOO XVH LW DQG FDQ EH IRXQG DQ\ZKHUH´ The using of
slang introduces some of new words and it is one of a way describe new word that
can enrich language itself.
Generally, most of countries have their own slang terms in their language.
For instance, in Indonesia, slang can be found in daily conversation and most of
teenagers use it, such as jayus (not funny), bonyok (parents), cupu (old-fashioned),
lebay (exaggerate), etc. Besides, it used by teenagers, there are some social groups
3
Ibid
4
which usually use it, such as; street gang, football player, drug user, gambler.
³6ODQg is to be chosen rather than required, much of teenage talk, speech of street
JDQJVJDPEOHUFULPLQDOGUXJXVHUIRRWEDOOSOD\HU´5
The use of slang also can be found in novels, movies and lyrics of song,
usually movies and songs are made as media to represent the social condition and
VRPHERG\¶V LGHQWLW\ 7KH ZULWHU OLPLWV WKH GLVFXVVLRQ RQO\ DERXW VODQJ ZKLFK
recognized as vulgar and inelegant phrases and to analyze slang, the writer takes
American Gangster movie for the research material, which is about the
background of a detective (Richie Harlem) works to investigate the drug empire
of Frank Lucas (black people), a heroin kingpin from Manhattan, who is
smuggling the drug into the country from the Far East. After Frank Lucas is sent
to the jail, Richie asks Frank to collaborate with him for breaking in the
conspiracy of cops with drugs circulator.
The writer is interested to analyze this movie because it based on a true
VWRU\RIEODFNSHRSOH¶VOLIHDVDJDQJVWHULWVHL]HG Oscar Best Achievement in Art
Direction in 2008 and also there are some slang words and phrases in
conversation which is used by the characters that the writer can analyze it, for
example:
72%$&.DQJU\³What the hell are you doing? Counting it out here in
front of everybody. Are you nuts"´What the hell in the text means a phrase which is used by someone in anger occasion to ask someone and
nuts means insane.
5
Robert L. Chapmen and Ann Kipta, Barbara, Dictionary of American Slang 3rd Edition,
By the examples above, we can see that some slang terms in the movie can
be understood easily and directly, but some of them cannot, therefore, it is needed
a slang dictionary or other references to look up the right meaning of the slang
terms.
B. Focus of the Study
In this research, the writer limits discussion by focusing only on the
selected slang words and phrases that used in American Gangsters movie, directed
by Ridley Scott. Then he finds the meaning of slang term, the kinds of slang, and
describes the reason of using slang by using the theories related to slang.
C. The Research Question
According to the background of the research, the writer formulates the
questions as follow:
1. What are the kinds of slang and their meaning often used by the characters
in American Gangster movie?
2. How does the writer describe the reasons of using slang terms in American
Gangster movie?
D. Significance of the Research
The writer hopes that this research is able to enrich the writer in
comprehending about slang. Besides that, to understand kinds of slang language
This research hopefully has some benefits for all students, especially at
English Letters Department students. Also in this research, the students are able to
apply their knowledge and comprehend slang language in the appropriate daily
conversation, especially in informal situation.
E. Research Methodology 1. Objective of the Research
Through this paper the writer analyzes the meaning of slang and the kinds
of slang language used in American Gangster movie also to know the reason why
the characters use the slang.
2. Method of the Research
The writer uses the descriptive qualitative method, the data that relate to
the research are collected from $PHULFDQ *DQJVWHU¶V script. Then the writer
collects the data of slang terms by noting. The writer reads and notes the scripts
from the movie. Next, he selects the slang that often used in dialogue of movie.
The data will be described and tabulated at data description.
3. Technique of Data Analysis
The first step, the writer watches the movie and reads the script. He
classifies the words in the script by noting those words which including into slang
language. To make it easier to analyze, the data will be tabulated. The next step,
meaning from dictionary of slang to get the accuracy meaning. The last is the
analysis slang terms in American Gangster movie.
In this research, the writer uses descriptive analysis technique. Through
this technique, the writer will analyze the meaning of slang; the kinds of the slang;
and finally, giving reasons why are the slang words or phrases are used by the
character in the movie.
4. Instrument of the Research
As qualitative research, the writer himself is the main instrument by
searching some materials that related to slang terms. Afterwards, to get precise
data the writer identifies American Gangster movie by watching. He also reads
the script of the movie, then marks words or phrases that included into slang.
5. Unit of Analysis
The analysis unit of this research is American Gangster movie directed by
Ridley Scott in 2007 in United States.
6. Time and Place of the Research
The writer started his research in December 2010, when he was in seventh
semester, at English Letters Department, Humanities Faculty State Islamic
University Syarif Hidayatullah. It took place at Language and Culture Study
Centre of UNIKA Atmajaya and Library Centre of State Islamic University Syarif
7
In this chapter, the writer would like to describe the definitions of slang;
history of slang; kinds of slang; reasons of using slang, understanding Standard
English; introduction to movie.
A. The Definitions of Slang
After reading some sources, the writer finds several definitions of slang in
general and the writer will try to describe about theories of slang proposed by
linguist, as follows.
According to Pei and Gaynor ³6ODQJ LV D VW\OH RI ODQJXDJH LQ IDLQWO\
common use, produced by popular adaptation and extension of the meaning of existing words and by coining new words with disregard for scholastic standard and linguistic principles of the formation of words;
JHQHUDOO\SHFXOLDUWRFHUWDLQFODVVHVDQGVRFLDORUDJHJURXSV´6
Slang is non-standard English that has experienced adaptation and
extension of the meaning aspect, on the other hand slang words consist of existing
vocabulary, but sometimes it consists of new words, such as matey and leccer.
In history of slang, it can be seen that slang develop and change rapidly in
every single decade. Early slang only used by criminals or vagabonds but today
slang used by everyone wants to create something different and fresh, especially
young people. As Willis Said that:
³)RUWKHPRVWSDUWVODQJLVUHVXOWRIOLQJXLVWLFLQYHQWLYHQHVVHspecially of young and lively persons who want fresh, original pungent or racy terms
6
with which they can rename ideas, action, and objects that they feel strongly about. In effect slang is the result of a combination of linguistic irreverence and a reaction against staid, stuffy, pompous, pretentious, or
FRORXUOHVVGLFWLRQ´7
Moreover, slang used not only represent excitement, jokes but also be used
by person in every grade of life. The uniqueness of slang, it changes like a
fashion, when it is trend, everyone will use it. John Camden Hotten said:
³7KDW VODQJ UHSUHVHQWV WKH HYDQHVFHQW YXOJDU ODQJXDJH HYHU FKDQJLQJ
with fashion and taste, spoken by person in every grade of life, rich and poor, honest and dishonest. Slang is indulged in form a desire to appear familiar with life, gaiety, town-humour, and with the transient nick names and street jokes of the day. Slang is the language of street humour, of fast, high and low life. Slang is as old as speech and congregating together of the people in cities. It is the result of crowding, excitement, and artificial
OLIH´8
Based on those definitions above, the writer knows that every linguist has
different perspective about the meaning of slang. However, the writer is able to
conclude that slang represents vulgar language used by person in every grade of
life, it is the result of inventiveness by the young and attractive people who want
new something fresh and it is non-standard language that carries connotations and
overtones of irreverence, cynicism, and humour.
B. The History of Slang
Slang has been introduced since sixteenth century, it is used to change the
inelegant statement of being associated with foreigner or criminals, some people
XVH LW WR PDNH MRNHV DQG WR NHHS WKH VHFUHW RI WKH ZRUG¶V PHDQLQJ DQd also
7
Ibid 8
because some people want another language besides the Standard English to
express ideas.
To know about the history of slang the writer would like to propose it
based on decade, characteristics, examples and meaning. From Random House
Historical DicWLRQDU\ RI $PHULFDQ 6ODQJ DQG IURP WKH ERRN ³6ODQJ 7RGD\ DQG
<HVWHUGD\´9 by Eric Partridge, there are five decades of slang history and each of
them has different characteristic. It started from sixteenth, seventeenth,
eighteenth, nineteenth, and twentieth century. Below are some further
explanations about the history of slang:
Table1.
The History of Slang
No Decades Characteristics Examples Meanings
1. Sixteenth
4. Nineteenth
$IWHU UHDGLQJ ³6ODQJ 7RGD\ DQG <HVWHUGD\´ E\ Eric Partridge10 and
searching the internet, the writer finds the kinds of slang. Some kinds of slang are:
1. Cockney Slang
The term of cockney slang refers to working-class people in London,
especially for east London. It often used in reference to the cockney accent.11 And
cockney slang is the brightest spot in England because it has a very pronounced
accent. In the society of England cockney slang is very easy to be understood
directly.
There are two kinds of Cockney slang, at first, Cockney slang that spoken
by educated and middle class people. At Second, Cockney slang that used by the
semi literate and illiterate people, it called as Cockney London of the street.
10
Ibid,p, 148 11
Here are several examples of Cockney slang that commonly used in daily
conversation by the educated and middle class people:
µ6HH WKH EUHH]H DQG WDVWH WKH VXQ¶ PHDQV DQ H[SUHVVLRQ RI VXPPHU
HQMR\PHQW WR HVFDSH IURP /RQGRQ WR DQ RSHQ FRPPRQ µ(\H LQ D VOLQJ¶
PHDQVFUXVKHGRUGHIHDWHGµ&KLFNDOHU\FRYHPHDQVDYHU\VPDUWIHOORZ¶
³SHUIHFW´LQGress, able in business, and of a dashing deportment.
Here are examples of Cockney slang that is commonly used in daily
conversation by the semi literate and quite illiterate:
a. Up the pole, means drunk.
b. Old gal means general term of affection describing a wife.
c. Sky a chopper means to make a disturbance.
2. Public House Slang
Pubic house group of words and phrases makes up for the smallness of the
recorded vocabulary by the nature of the subject. It is genial, cheery, materialistic,
but not gross nor cynical. Below are the examples:
a. Round the corner means a drink.
b. Three out brush means a glass shaped like an inverted cone.
3. :RUNPHQ¶V6ODQJ
This type has a link with the public house slang. It is very closely allied to
WUDGHVPHQ¶VVODQJDQGDOVRFRQVLGHUHGWRSHRSOH¶VDFWLYLW\LQZRUNLQJ0RVWRIWKH
XVHUVRIZRUNPHQ¶VVODQJDUHODERXUHUVHLWKHUWRZQDQGIDUPODERXUHUV0RUHRYHU
there is a significant difference both of them that the town labourer is more ready
with their tongues and fluent with their slang than the farm labourer which is not
too modern instance.
+HUHDUHH[DPSOHVRI:RUNPHQ¶VVODQJIRUWKHWRZQODERXUHU
a. Screw up means without money, therefore unable to move about at will.
b. Matey means a companion in labour.
c. Brass mean money, this very general term seems to have originated the
chopper and iron industries.
7UDGHVPHQ¶V6ODQJ
,Q 7UDGHVPHQ¶V VODQJ DV LQ :RUNPHQ¶V VODQJ VRPH RI WKH ZRUGV DUH
related to origin slang and the users are the worker too, but the difference is the
7UDGHVPHQ¶V VODQJ FRQVLGHUV IRXU DV W\SLFDO WDLORUV EXWFKHUV FKHPLVW DQG
builders. The tailors have the largest number of slang terms.
+HUHDUHH[DPSOHVRI7UDGHVPHQ¶VVODQJfor tailors:
a. +RXVHRISDUOLDPHQWPHDQVDPHHWLQJRIWDLORU¶VDVVLVWDQWDQGDSSUHQWLFHV
in the shop, especially for a serious purpose.
b. 7UDGHVPHQ¶V VODQJ IRU EXWFKHUV µ7XUNH\ EX\HU¶ PHDQV D SHUVRQ RI
c. 7UDGHVPHQ¶VIRUFKHPLVWµ6\UXS¶PHDQVPRQH\
d. 7UDGHVPHQ¶V VODQJ IRU EXLOGHUV µ)ODQQHO MDFNHW¶ PHDQV WKH QDYY\ RQ
heavy work has so long and so unexceptionally worn flannel.
5. Slang in Art
Slang in art emerges in seventeenth century, it quickly adopted by society.
Moreover, it is considerable difficult than other slang terms, the meaning is hard
to be guessed even in the present day.
Here are several examples:
a. Walled means same as hung, which, to some extent, it displaced.
b. %XQLRQ\ PHDQV VKRZLQJ LQ RQH¶V SDLQWing, a very marked tendency to
lumpiness of outline.
c. Crocks mean ornamental China.
6. Slang in Publicity
This type of slang is often used for commerce, because much of modern
commerce depends on publicity, a firms needs the catchy phrase or rhymes that
can impress the public.
Here are several examples:
a. Sunlight means soap.
b. :RUWKDJXLQHDDER[PHDQV%HHFKDP¶VSLOOV
7. Society Slang
The transition from University to society is as linguistically as it actually
natural, for although a university education constitutes neither a passport to good
society nor a guarantee of genuine culture it goes some distance in both directions.
The centre of the universe is a society, now society is ever in search of novelty
and it is a limited body of well-to-do women and men of leisure. For these
persons, there arises a kind of special vocabulary, which is constantly changing
with changing fashion.
There is much slang in the colloquial speech of society, most of words
soon disappear, but a considerable number of them make good their place in
ordinary speech. Moreover, slang in society shows a joyously or jauntily over the
REMHFWDQGWKHSUDFWLFHRIWKHVODQJVWHU¶VRZQFDOOLQJ6LQFHWKHZDUVRFLHW\KDV
become less walled-in, less snobbish, less clannish, so the speech is being
fertilized more and more with technical terms and more importantly, with
colloquial and slangy terms from the world of commerce and manual work, such
as journalism, art, etc. In short, from life it is lived, not life as it is permitted by a
FRPIRUWDEOH LQFRPH QRW OLIH LQ ZKLFK DWWHQWLRQ QHHG WR EH SDLG RQO\ WR RQH¶V
social equals. Here are examples of the society slang:
a. Cyrano means a huge nose.
b. Rothschild means a very rich man.
c. Get the morbs means to become temporarily melancholic.
8. Slang of Commerce
This slang is used in trade and the words are closely related to the trade or
commerce. According to Professor Collison this slang is: ³2IEXVLQHVVWUDQVDFWLRQ
on the various exchanges the man in the street will have heard of the formation of
WUXVWV DQG ULQJV FRQFHUQLQJ D FRPPRGLW\´12 It is often use by businessman,
mostly used in stock exchange. Here are examples of the slang of commerce:
a. Take the rate means to borrow stock, likewise give the rate is to lend
stock.
b. Rig means a combined effort to rise the price of stock artificially and
without regard to its merits.
c. Shunt means to buy and sell securities between two home exchanges.
9. Slang in Public School and University
The user of this slang is student, in public house, as in board and private
schools. There have two kinds of slang; a slang proper and gibberish. The other
kind of slang is almost impossible to generalize, for every school has special
ZRUGVNQRZQE\RWKHUVFKRRO+HUHDUHH[DPSOHVRISXEOLFVFKRROVODQJµ:UX[¶
PHDQVDURWWHURUKXPEXJµ%XQJ¶PHDQVOLHµ:KDW¶VDPDW"¶PHDQVZKDWLVWKH
matter.
The slang that used in university is considerable different with public
school slang, when boys leave school and go to university, they tend to drop the
old slang and to mould themselves to the slang of the university. Growing boys
12
and high spirited young fellows detest restraint of all kinds, and prefer making a
dash at life in slang phraseology of their own to all the set forms and syntactical
rules of alma mater.
Here are examples of the university slang:
a. Wine means a wine party.
b. Leccer means a lecture.
c. Tea-pot means a tea party.
d. Rugger means football, played to rugby rules, soccer being association
football.
10. Slang in Theatre
According to historical of slang language, slang using for the first time on
stage in seventh century. Until the end of eighteenth century, actors were so
despised that, in self-protection, they had certain words that properly should be
describe as slang. But after regency they rapidly became more esteemed and by
WKHHQGRI9LFWRULD¶VUHLJQWKH\DWWDLQHGDZHOO-establish position on the margin of
society, which the prominent actors and actress now mingle if not, at least on an
independent.
In nineteenth century, the theatre began to exercise a powerful influence
on ordinary and informal spoken English and theatrical slang gradually gained a
a. Paper house means a theatre that, at a given performance has an audience
FRQVLVWLQJPDLQO\RIWKRVHZKRKDYHFRPHZLWK³SDSHU´FRPSOLPHQWDU\
ticket.
b. Tabs means an ageing woman; from tabby.
c. Toga Play means a play on classical theme.
11. Medicine Slang
Medical slang is, from the very nature of the case, more interesting to
laymen than is law slang, but we will confine ourselves to example current in the
present century. Ware gives four terms used in 1999: bone-clother, port wine, for
ZKLFK VWRXW LV QRZ XVXDOO\ VXEVWLWXWHG DV D ³IDWWHQHU´ ORFXP VKRUW IRU ORFXP
tenens) still very commonly employed of doctors and clergymen ; pith, the spinal
chord when severed ; to be slated, to die, or more precisely to be doomed to die.
That Ware should list so few medical slangisms is not surprising, both because
GRFWRUVYHU\UDUHO\WDON³VKRS´WRRWKHUVWKDQGRFWRUVDQGEHFDXVHLQWKHZRUGVRI
the one notable authority on medical slang.
Below are examples of medicine slang:
a. Dope means an anesthetic; to dope, to give an anesthetic to.
b. Drinks mean medicine, at the four-hourly occasions for medicine in the
wards hospital.
12. Slang in Church
Slang has long since penetrated into forum, and now we meet in the Senate
and even the pulpit itself is no longer free from its intrusion. On contrary, and
justice to clergy, it must be said that principal disseminators of pure English
throughout the contrary are the ministers of established Church. Yet it cannot br
denied that a great deal of slang phraseology and expressive vulgarism have
gradually crept into the very pulpits which should give forth as pure speech as
doctrine.
Below are the examples of Church slang:
a. 7KH 7KUHH %¶V PHDQV EULJKW, brief, and brotherly. A protest against the
soporific nature of so many Church services.
b. Workus means a Church of England pleasantry at the expense of the
Methodist chapels, usually very plain, often whitewashed. In short, one is
forced to notice that slang of the cloth is neither very witty nor very
tolerant.
6ROGLHUV¶6ODQJ
6ROGLHUV¶VODQJLVVODQJWHUPVWKDWFRPHIURPDURXQGWKHDUP\FRPPXQLW\
WKDW LV FRPPRQO\ XVHG E\ WKH VROGLHUV LQ VROGLHUV¶ VODQJ there are divided in
several characteristics that we can see as follows:
a. ³2OG VROGLHU ZRUGV VXFK DV pawny means water, rooty means bread,
swing the lead means to malinger, come the old soldier means to attempt.
c. Nicknames, such as; aussies or canucks means Canadian, daughboys
means Americans, a hun means a German.
d. Words connected with:
1) Drinking, such as; chin-chin means a toasts
2) Companionship with women, such as; square-pushing means going
out with a woman, ring-money meDQVDVROGLHU¶VZLIH¶VDOORZDQFH.
3) 7KHVROGLHUV¶QDPHIRUKLVSXQLVKPHQWVVXFKDVclink means prison.
4) Guns and shells, such as; dud means a bomb.
5) Borrowings from outside England, such as; dinkum means good
(come from Australian).
e. Words connected with civilian activities, such as; Cutthbert means a
slacker, funk-hole means a government office, comb out means to send to
the front.
f. Naval words, such as; chew the fat means to grumble, hush-hush means
ships.
g. Words connected with aviation, such as; to pancake means drop flat, to
zoom soar vertically.
6ROGLHUV¶ VODQJ VKRZV WKH ZRUGV FRQQHFW WR WKH ZDU DQG WKH DWWULEXWHV
although they divide into several characteristics the words that use mostly connect
to those things, and this slang terms generally use in soldiers community.
Based on the kinds of slang, in this research, the writer will limit himself
D. The Reasons of Using Slang
There are some reasons why people use slang, such as slang can represent
WKHFHUWDLQVXEVRFLDO JURXS¶VLGHQWLW\EHFDXVHLWLV FRROLWVHHPV OLNHDfashion
when everybody likes it, and it will be often used by people. The slang usually
accepted by young people, by the young people in heart as well as by the young in
years, just for fun of thing.
According to Nicefero as quoted in Partridge, people use slang for any of
at least fifteen reasons:
1. In sheer high spirits, by the young people in heart as well as by the
\RXQJLQ\HDUVµMXVWIRUIXQRIWKHWKLQJ¶LQSOD\IXOQHVV
2. For delights in virtuosity.
3. To be different, to be novel.
4. To be picturesque, this could be found from songs or poems.
5. To be unmistakably arresting, even startling.
6. To escape from clichés, or to be brief and concise.
7. To enrich the language by inventing new words.
8. To lend an air of solidity, concreteness; to the abstract of earthiness to
the idealistic: of immediacy and oppositeness to the remote.
9. To reduce seriousness of a conversation.
10.To amuse superior public: this can be seen by the slang that children
use towards their parents.
11. For ease of social intercourse.
12. To induce either friendliness.
13. To shows that one belongs to a certain group.
14. To show or prove that someone does not belong to a certain group.
15. To be secret, not understand by those around one (children, students,
lovers, member of political, are the chief exponents).13
13
Besides the reasons above, slang can also considered as
unacceptable-word for other people. Even some linguists points out slang is the grunt of human
hog and the special vocabulary used by any set of persons of a low or vulgar type,
but it depends on the particular groups in society, if it is needed they will use it.
E. Understanding of the Standard English
Slang is one of unconventional English form or non-standard English that
often used in informal occasion. To make the clear difference between standard
and non-standard English the writer presents understanding of the standard
English that proposed by some linguists.
$FFRUGLQJ WR *HRUJH 3KLOOLS .UDSS ³6WDQGDUG (QJOLVK LV WKH FXVWRPDU\
use of a community when it is recognized and accepted as the customary use of
the community. Beyond this is the larger field of good English, any English that
justifies itself E\DFFRPSOLVKLQJWKHPDUN´14
6WDQGDUG (QJOLVK E\ 7RP 0F $UWKXU LV ³$ ZLGHO\ XVHG WHUP WKDW UHVLVWV
easy definition but is used as if most educated people nonetheless know precisely
what it refers to. Some consider its meaning self evident: it is both the usage and
WKHLGHDORIµJRRG¶RUµHGXFDWHG¶XVHUVRI(QJOLVK´15
Based on the definition above, the writer concludes that Standard English
is not absolutely clear-cut and discrete and it used by educated people; described
in grammar and dictionaries.
14
Victoria fromkin, et al., An Introduction to Language 7th Edition, (United States: Thomson Heinle, 2003) p. 454.
15
F. Introduction to Movie
Movie is form of entertainment that gives visualization through a sequence
of images giving some pictures of continuous movement and it is also called term
that create story into motion pictures completed by audio and as a form dramatic
performance that is recorded as a moving image, even it is added special effects to
make a magnificent image.
Moreover, movie is truly a motion picture- a flowing, ever changing
stream of images and sounds sparkling with freshness and vitality all its own, a
fluid blend of image, sound, and motion possessed by a restless compulsion to be
vibrantly alive, to avoid the quite and the static.16
Movie itself has kinds of genre, below are the genres of movie17:
1. Action
Action films usually include high energy, big-budget physical stunts
and chases, possibly with rescues, battles, fights, escapes, destructive crises
(floods, explosions, natural disasters, fires, etc.), non-stop motion, spectacular
rhythm and pacing, and adventurous, often two-dimensional 'good-guy' heroes
(or recently, heroines) battling 'bad guys' - all designed for pure audience
escapism.
2. Adventure
Adventure films are usually exciting stories, with new experiences or
exotic locales, very similar to or often paired with the action film genre. They
can include traditional swashbucklers, serialized films and historical spectacles
16
M. Boggs Joseph and W. Petrie Dennis, The Art Watching Films Fifth Edition
(California: Mayfield Publishing Company, 2000), p. 112. 17
(similar to the epics film genre), searches or expeditions for lost continents,
"jungle" and "desert" epics, treasure hunts, disaster films, or searches for the
unknown.
3. Comedies
Comedies are light-hearted plots consistently and deliberately designed
to amuse and provoke laughter (with one-liners, jokes, etc.) by exaggerating
the situation, the language, action, relationships and characters. This section
describes various forms of comedy through cinematic history, including
slapstick, screwball, spoofs and parodies, romantic comedies, black comedy
(dark satirical comedy), and more.
4. Crime
Crime (gangster) films are developed around the sinister actions of
criminals or mobsters, particularly bankrobbers, underworld figures, or
ruthless hoodlums who operate outside the law, stealing and murdering their
way through life. Criminal and gangster films are often categorized as film
noir or detective-mystery films - because of underlying similarities between
these cinematic forms. This category includes a description of various 'serial
killer' films.
5. Drama
Dramas are serious, plot-driven presentations, portraying realistic
characters, settings, life situations, and stories involving intense character
comedy, or action, Dramatic films are probably the largest film genre, with
many subsets.
6. Epics
Epics include costume dramas, historical dramas, war films, medieval
romps, or 'period pictures' that often cover a large expanse of time set against a
vast, panoramic backdrop. Epics often share elements of the elaborate
adventure films genre. Epics take an historical or imagined event, mythic,
legendary, or heroic figure, and add an extravagant setting and lavish
costumes, accompanied by grandeur and spectacle, dramatic scope, high
production values, and a sweeping musical score. Epics are often a more
spectacular, lavish version of a biopic film. Some 'sword and sandal' films
(Biblical epics or films occuring during antiquity) qualify as a sub-genre.
7. Horor
Horror films are designed to frighten and to invoke our hidden worst
fears, often in a terrifying, shocking finale, while captivating and entertaining
us at the same time in a cathartic experience. Horror films feature a wide range
of styles, from the earliest silent Nosferatu classic, to today's CGI monsters
and deranged humans. They are often combined with science fiction when the
menace or monster is related to a corruption of technology, or when Earth is
threatened by aliens. The fantasy and supernatural film genres are not usually
synonymous with the horror genre. There are many sub-genres of horror:
8. Musical
Musical/dance films are cinematic forms that emphasize full-scale
scores or song and dance routines in a significant way (usually with a musical
or dance performance integrated as part of the film narrative), or they are films
that are centered on combinations of music, dance, song or choreography.
Major subgenres include the musical comedy or the concert film.
9. Science Fiction
Sci-fi films are often quasi-scientific, visionary and imaginative -
complete with heroes, aliens, distant planets, impossible quests, improbable
settings, fantastic places, great dark and shadowy villains, futuristic
technology, unknown and unknowable forces, and extraordinary monsters
('things or creatures from space'), either created by mad scientists or by
nuclear havoc. They are sometimes an offshoot of fantasy films, or they share
some similarities with action/adventure films. Science fiction often expresses
the potential of technology to destroy humankind and easily overlaps with
horror films, particularly when technology or alien life forms become
malevolent, as in the "Atomic Age" of sci-fi films in the 1950s.
10. War
War (and anti-war) films acknowledge the horror and heartbreak of
war, letting the actual combat fighting (against nations or humankind) on land,
sea, or in the air provide the primary plot or background for the action of the
film. War films are often paired with other genres, such as action, adventure,
they often take a denunciatory approach toward warfare. They may include
POW tales, stories of military operations, and training.
11. Western
Westerns are the major defining genre of the American film industry -
a eulogy to the early days of the expansive American frontier. They are one of
the oldest, most enduring genres with very recognizable plots, elements, and
characters (six-guns, horses, dusty towns and trails, cowboys, Indians, etc.).
Over time, westerns have been re-defined, re-invented and expanded,
dismissed, re-discovered, and spoofed.
27
In this chapter, the writer explains two main discussions they are data
description and data analysis.
A. Data Description
In this description of data, the writer discusses the slang terms used in the
American Gangster movie. The writer tries to tabulate the collected data through
the following table:
a. The utilized slang as a corpus.
b. The meaning of slang terms.
c. The kinds of slang terms.
To focus on the discussion, the writer would like to limit the description
about the kinds of slang terms that often utilized in American Gangster movie, it
Table2. The Tabulated Data
No
The Utilized Slang
(Corpus) The Meaning in the Movie
The Kinds of
My brother or buddy (originally
black)
American Gangster movie by using the theories related to slang and also focusing
on Who, When, Where the slang terms are utilized. Besides, the writer finds the meaning of slang from some slang dictionaries, such as Random House Historical
Dictionary of American Slang Volume I A-G, Random House Historical
Dictionary of American Slang Volume II H-2 17&¶V 'LFWLRQDU\ RI $PHULFDQ
The writer gives assumption about the reason of characters in the movie by
XVLQJ(ULF3DUWULGJH¶VWKHRULHV7KHZULWHUILQGVDERXWWZHQW\RQHVODQJZRUGVRU
phrases in the American Gangster movie because these slang are often utilized by
the characters of American Gangster movie.
$FFRUGLQJWRWKHZULWHU¶Vassumption that there are two kinds of slang that
utilized in American Gangster movie. They are society and soOGLHU¶V VODQJ.
However, to make this research more focus the writer only analyzes eighteen
slang words and phrases of society slang, because these slangs have high
frequency in utilizing of American Gangster movie. To get further description, the
writer analyzes society slang as follows:
1. Society Slang
As the writer has proposed the definition of society slang in chapter two
that society slang show a joyously or jauntily over the object and the practice of
WKHVODQJVWHU¶VRZQFDOOLQJ7KHUHIRUHWKHZULWHUFRQFOXGHVVRFLHW\VODQJLVVXFK
familiar or common words that come from society even sometimes it has a rude
meaning but it very commonly used in the daily conversation with unique
vocabulary that easily and rapidly change follows the era or trend in society.
Then the writer categorizes the utilized slang terms such as Shit, Asshole,
Fuck, Buck, God damn, What the hell, Nuts, My man, Cool, Grand, Bullshit,
Junkie, Dog and Pony Show, Bro, Kid, Fellas, Guys, Motherfucker18 because of
the suitability of the characteristic and meaning of the society slang and their
nature of words or phrases are closely related with the society. Based on the
18
dictionaries of slang, the word Shit means dung19, Asshole means the anus20, Fuck
means to copulate (with) someone21, Buck means a dollar22, God damn means
damn (used as a symbol of worthlessness)23, What the hell means interrogative24,
Nuts means insane25, My man means my brother or buddy (originally black)26,
Cool means relaxed27, Grand means one thousand dollars28 Bullshit means
nonsense29, Junkie means drug healer30, Dog and Pony Show means a speech31,
Bro means brother32, Kid means young fellow33, Fellas means a fellow34, Guys
means male in the plural35, Motherfucker means interjection36
Below are the further explanation and the quoted conversation used in the
society slang terms:
19
Richard A. Spears, 17&¶V'LFWLRQDU\RI$PHULFDQ6ODQJDQG&ROORTXLDOH[SUHVVLRQV 3rd Edition, (USA: NTC Publishing Group 2000), p. 364.
J. E. Lighter, Random House Historical Dictionary of American Slang Volume I A-G, (New York), p. 913.
24
Richard A. Spears (2000), op. cit. p. 462. 25
1.1 Shit
The setting on the street, this word said by Bumpy (he is the boss of
JDQJVWHU KH WDONV ZLWK )UDQN KH LV %XPS\¶V ERG\JXDUG ZKLOH ORRNLQJ DURXQG
the store on the side of street.
³%XPS\Where's the pride of ownership, huh? Where's the personal service? You see what I mean? Shit.
I mean, what right do they have of cutting out the suppliers,
pushing out all the middlemen,buying direct from the manufacturer? Sony this, Toshiba that.´37
From the quoted conversation above, the word shit means dung, this
meaning is XWLOL]HG E\ 17&¶V Dictionary of American Slang and Colloquial
expressions 3rd Edition. Then the writer assumes this slang terms as society slang
because this word is closely related with the society slang. Bumpy uses this slang
terms to show that things belong to a certain group, it refers to several electronic
things come from out of United States such as Japan and China.
1.2 Asshole
7KH VHWWLQJ WDNHV &DPSL]L¶V IODW Whis word used by Richie (he is a
detective) when Richie tries to arrest Cmpizi for interrogating because Richie
thinks that Campizi can give the important information about his target. Below are
the quoted conversation:
³5LFKLHYou're supposed to be my friend,
asshole!
Campizi: I swear to God, Richie,I didn't know it was you.
From the quoted conversation above, the slang terms asshole means the
³anus´, this meaning is utilized by 17&¶V 'LFWLRQDU\ RI $PHULFDQ 6ODQJ DQG
Colloquial expressions 3rd Edition. From this description the writer assumes that
Richie uses this word to expresses his anger, because Campizi tries to hide the
information Richie needs. Then the writer categorizes this slang term into society
slang because it has characteristics such as rude meaning, it is used often used in
daily communication, especially for expressing anger. It is said by John Camden
Hotten &DVVHO¶V 'LFWLRQDU\ RI 6ODQJ, he mentions that slang represents vulgar
ODQJXDJH7KHZRUG³DVVKROH´LWVHOILVDW\SHRIYXOJDUZRUG
1.3 Fuck
The setting is in a room, this word said by Richie when he and Jay (his
partner) interrogate Campizi, below are the quoted conversation:
³-D\We're on loan to County.
Campizi: How's that working out for you? Richie: Hey, fuck you.´39
From the quoted conversatuion above, the word fuck means to copulate
(with) someone, this meaning is utilized by 17&¶V'LFWLRQDU\RI$PHULFDQ6ODQJ
and Colloquial expressions 3rd Edition. After analyzing it, the writer categorizes
the slang terms fuck into society slang because this word has characteristics such
as rude meaning and it is often used in daily conversation. The writer thinks that
Richie is unhappy with &DPSL]L¶V ZRUGs, so he expresses his anger by saying
³IXFN\RX´DQGWKHZRUG³IXFN´LWVHOILVDW\SHRIYXOJDUZRUG
39
1.4 Buck
The setting is in a car, Richie and Jay are arguing about another cop who
getting a lot of money from drugs syndicate business, below are the quoted
conversation:
³-D\,W¶VQRWMXVWa couple of bucks, all right? ,W¶VWKHVDPHWKLQJLQSULQFLSOH
Richie: Oh, are we talking principles?
Jay: Richie,a cop who turns in this kind of money, says one thing. He turns in
FRSVZKRWDNHPRQH\:H¶OOEHIXFNLQJSDULDKV´40
From the quoted conversatuion above, the word buck means a dollar,
this meaning is utilized by 17&¶V'LFWLRQDU\RI $PHULFDQ6ODQJDQG&ROORTXLDO
expressions 3rd Edition. The writer categorizes this slang into society slang
because it is used in society for informal occasion. In this situation Jay tries to
assure Richie in order to he does not bring big money that found to office.
Therefore, the writer thinks that Jay uses this word to express his disappointment
WRZDUG5LFKLHEHFDXVH5LFKLHZLOOQRWDJUHHZLWK-D\¶VRSLQLRQ.
1.5 God damn
The setting is in a car, Richie and Jay are peering over their target and
Richie are sharing to Jay about his curiousity that there is a cop who involved
with drug healer syndicate DIWHUWKH\IRXQGDORWRIPRQH\IURPWKHFRS¶VFDU.
³5LFKLHIt's not just a couple of bucks, all right? Jay : It's the same thing in principle
Richie : Oh, are we talking principles?
Jay : Richie, a cop who turns in this kind of money, says one thing. He turns in cops who take money.We'll be fucking pariahs.
Richie : Yeah, well, then we're fucked both ways
40
Jay : Not if we keep it. Only if we don't, then you're right, we're fucked.But not if we keep it. God damn it, man! Did we ask for this?´41
The conversation happens in a car when Richie and Jay are arguing
working of a cop whose dishonest, because that cop involved with drugs
syndicate$QG-D\¶VRSLQLRQRSRVLWHVZLWK5LFKLHDQGKHVDLGgod damn, it means
damn. This meaning is utilized by Random House Historical Volume I A-G. This
slang terms includes into society slang, it is rude meaning. The writer thinks that
Jay uses this slang to express his blaming and accusing, because Jay thinks that
every single cop is not an idealist and they want to get a lot of money.
1.6 What the hell
The setting is in a police office, this word is said by Toback, when Jay and
Richie brings lots of money as an evidence, and they are counting the money in
the front of the other cops. Below are the conversation:
³7REDFN : How much is it? Richie : $987,000.
Toback : Well, what happened to the rest of it? What the hell are you doing counting it out here in front of everybody? Are you nuts? Get it back in the bags, seal them up and down into the property room.´42
From the conversation above, the word what the hell means interrogative.
This meaning is utilized by 17&¶V'LFWLRQDU\RI$PHULFDQ6ODQJ and Colloquial
expressions 3rd Edition. The writer categorizes this slang into society slang
because it is suitable with the characteristic of society slang, it is usually used to
express anger. Therefore, the writer thinks that Toback uses this slang to express
41
Ibid, p. 11. 42
his anger because he sees Richie and Jay counting money of a cop who involved
in drugs syndicate in front of the other cops.
1.7 Nuts
The setting takes police office, Richie and Jay are counting much money
in fantastic amount that they found from their target who recognized as a cop.
³7REDFN : How much is it? Richie : $987,000.
Toback : Well, what happened to the rest of it? What the hell are you doing counting it out here in front of everybody? Are you nuts? Get it back in the bags, seal them upand down into the property room.´43
From the conversation above, the word nuts means insane, this meaning is
utilized by Random House Historical Volume II H-O. The writer categorizes this
slang terms into society slang because it has the suitabilty with the definition of
society slang. The writer thinks that Toback uses this slang to express that
5LFKLH¶VEHKDYLRULV EHLQg out of control counting a lot of money in front of the
other cops in police office.
1.8 My man
Setting is in a café at Harlem, Tanggo sees Frank when he has breakfast.
He asks to Frank that he stops to sell blue magic (drugs). Below are the quoted
conversations:
³7DQgo : Look, don't sell dope then, Frank. Get a real job. You need a fucking job, Frank? Hmm? Is that what you need? Well, you can come work for me. Okay? You can drive me around, huh?You can open my doors.Huh? "Yes, sir", "No, sir", "Right away, sir", "Anything you want, Massa Johnson".
43
Frank : Twenty percent. Twenty percent is my profit, Tango.If I give you that, then what do I got left?Nothing, man. Twenty percent puts me out of business, and every somebody you know out of business. There's legitimate ways of doing things, Tango, and then there's this way. Not even Bumpy took 20%.
Tango : Bumpy's fucking dead Frank : My man.´44
From the quoted conversation above, the word my man means my brother
RU EXGG\ RULJLQDOO\ EODFN 7KLV PHDQLQJ LV XWLOL]HG LQ 17&¶V 'LFWLRQDU\ RI
American Slang and Colloquial Expression. Then, the writer categorizes this slang
into society slang because it is commonly used in society for daily
communication, especially among the black people, and also it is an expression of
solidity. The writer thinks that Frank uses this slang to expresses his friendliness
WRZDUG7DQJREHFDXVHKHLVDFWXDOO\)UDQN¶V friend and also black.
1.9 Cool
The setting is WKHVWUHHWRISDUN5LFKLHDQG/DXULVKHLV5LFKLH¶VZLIHDUH
DUJXLQJDERXWWKHLUIDPLO\¶VWURXEOH7KLVZRUGVDLGE\5LFKLHZKHQ5LFKLHDQG
his wife across over the street of park while thier continually arguing there are
some of young people who kidding and screaming each other untill Richie is
annoyed, below are the quoted conversation:
³5LFKLH : Look, I'm sorry.
Laurie : Oh, please, Richie.It couldn't be avoided. I'll take him next weekend, all right? We're moving.
Richie : What? Where?
Laurie : The St Regis. What do you care? To my sister's.
Richie : Your sister's? In Vegas? Yeah.You are not moving to Las Vegas. Not with Michael, anyway.
44
Laurie : What am I supposed to do with him,leave him with you? There's picture
Richie : Hey, guys! Be cool.´45
From the conversation above, the word cool means relaxed, this meaning
is utilized by 17&¶V'LFWLRQDU\RI$PHULFDQ6ODQJDQG&ROORTXLDOH[SUHVVLRQVrd
Edition. The writer categorizes this slang into society slang because it is
appropriate with the characteristic of society slang and commonly used in society.
The writer thinks that Richie uses this slang to reduce seriousness of a
conversation, because Richie IHHOVWKDW\RXQJPHQ¶Vvoices are annoying, then he
asks to make low their voices while he and his wife across the park in
conversation.
1.10 Grand
The setting takes in the jungle of Thailand where Frank earns his Blue
Magic (drugs). Frank and Nate (his cousin) talks about drugs dispatch from
Thailand to United States in fantastic number. Below are the quoted conversation:
³Nate: Fifty grand,W¶VJRQQDFRYHUWKHPDQGWKHSLORWDQGWKHER\VRQWKHRWKHU
end.
Frank: Give the a hundred
Nate: Fifty is gonna cover it, Frank
Frank: Give them a hundred, give WKHPWKHZKROHWKLQJ+HUH$QGORRNWKDW¶VDOO ,JRW6RLIWKDWGRSHGRQ¶WDUULYHIRUDQ\UHDVRQ´46
From the conversation above, the word grand means one thousand
dollars, this meaning is utilized by 17&¶V 'LFWLRQDU\ RI $PHULFDQ 6ODQJ DQG
Colloquial expressions 3rd Edition. The writer categorizes this slang into society
45
Ibid, p. 21. 46
slang because it is used in society for informal occasion.The writer thinks that
Nate uses this slang to persuade Frank that within fifty thousand dollars will pay
all delivery cost.
1.11 Bullshit
The setting WDNHVLQ5LFKLH¶VFDUZKHQ5LFKLH JHWV WHOHSKRQHE\-D\WKDW
he has killed a black people when he investigated a member of black people
community, Richie imediatelly gets in car and tries to call police operator to send
assistanFH KRZHYHU WKH SROLFH RSHUDWRU DQVZHU WKDW KH FDQQRW FRYHU 5LFKLH¶V
position, therefore Richie says the word bullshit occasionally. Below are the
quoted conversation:
³5LFKH : Kent and West in the projects. Police operator: Identify yourself please. Richie : Detective Richie Roberts.
Police opeartor: That's a negative: I got no units in that area. Richie : Bullshit!´47
From the qouted conversation above, the word bullshit means nonsense.
This meaning is utilized by Random House Historical Dictionary of American
Slang Volume I A-G. The writer categorizes this slang into society slang because
it is very commonly used in society. The writer thinks that Richie uses this slang
to express his anger and disappointment, because the police operator does not give
a KHOSOLNHDV5LFKLH¶VH[SHFWDWLRQ
47
1.12 Junkie
The setting is in an ambulance car, this slang is said by Jaye. Jay and
Richie is arguing after Richie succceed to escape Jay from black community after
Jay killed one of them. Below the conversation:
³5LFKie : That guy didn't pull a gun on a cop, Jay.
Jay : That guy pulled a gun on a junkie, a junkie who was trying to rob him.´48
From the conversation above, the word junkie means drug healer. This
word is utilized by 17&¶V 'LFWLRQDU\ RI $PHULFDQ 6ODQJ DQG Colloquial
expressions 3rd Edition. The writer categorizes this slang into society slang
because it is suitable with the characteristic of society slang, it is usually used in
the daily conversation, especially among criminal. The writer thinks that Jay uses
WKLVVODQJWRH[SUHVVWKDW³MXQNLH´EHORQJVWRDFHUWDLQJURXSRIdrug healer.
1.13 Dog and pony show
The setting takes in garage, when Richie do exercise Toback comes inside
and he gives Richie a motivation. Below are the conversation:
³5LFKLH : You know why I don't have it.
Toback : Doesn't matter. You did what you had to do. Greatest city in the world! And it's turning into an open sewer. Everybody's stealing, dealing. Look at you. You can't work because you did your job. Good news is, you're not the only honest cop in town.The special narcotics bureau in Washington is not a dog and pony show.´49
From the conversation above, the word dog and pony show means a
speech. This meaning is utilized by 17&¶V 'LFWLRQDU\ RI $PHULFDQ 6ODQJ DQG
48
Ibid, p. 32. 49
Colloquial expressions 3rd Edition. The writer categorizes this slang into society
slang because it is suitable with the characteristic of society slang, it is usually
used in the daily conversation in society. The writer thinks that Toback uses this
slang to express his disappointment toward Richie, because Richie does not
continue his investigation after he knew that Jay (his partner) was killed.
1.14 Bro
The setting is repair shop, Richie and his partners bugged conversation
between Gabe (he is either a mechanic or drug healer) and Scot (he is drug healer
too). This word said by Soct. Below are conversations:
³6FRW : That's a pretty big order. Yeah, I want the big whitewalls.
Gabe : They better get at least 100,000 miles. All right, I'll tell you what. You come in here tomorrow morningI'm gonna set you up real nice with a whitewall special, all right?
Scot : Thanks, bro
Gabe : No problem´50
From the conversation above, the word bro means brother. This meaning
is utilized in Random House Historical Dictionary of American Slang Volume I
A-* $FFRUGLQJ WR WKH ZULWHU¶V DVVXPSWLRQ WKLV VODQJ LQWRsociety slang because
this word is closely related with the society slang. The writer thinks that Scot uses
this slang to express that Gabe belongs to a certain group of drug healer.
50
1.15 Kid
The setting takes in the house, Richie and his partners take a rest before
they do thier job as detective. This word is said by Richie, below are the quoted
conversation:
³0DQ : You're not watching the fight, Bob? Bob : I'm not into boxing.
Richie : This ain't boxing, kid. It's politics.´51
From the conversation above, the word kid means young fellow. This
meaning is utilized in Random House Historical Dictionary of American Slang
Volume II H-2 $FFRUGLQJ WR WKH ZULWHU¶V DVVXPSWLRQ WKLV Vlang this slang into
society slang because this word is closely related with the society slang. The
ZULWHU WKLQNV WKDW 5LFKLH XVHV WKLV VODQJ WR H[SUHVV WKDW %RE LV D FRS 5LFKLH¶V
partner), therefore, the reason is to show that one belongs to a certain group.
1.16 Fellas
The setting is Trupo's car parking out front Frank's penthouse. This word
is said by Trupo. Trupo and his partner are waiting Frank for a present that Frank
promised. Bellow are the quoted conversation:
³7UXSR : The fuck is this guy doing?
Doc : Hey!
7UXSR¶VSDUWQHUChampagne.
Doc : Merry Christmas, Detectives. Trupo : For us?
Doc : Yeah, enjoy that!
Trupo : You fellas have a good time.´52
51
Ibid, p. 84. 52
From the quoted conversation above, the word fellas means a fellow. This
meaning is utilized by N7&¶V 'LFWLRQDU\ RI $PHULFDQ 6ODQJ DQG &ROORTXLDO
expressions 3rd Edition. The writer categorizes this slang into society slang
because it is suitable with the characteristic of society slang, it is usually used in
the daily conversation in society. The writer thinks that Trupo uses the word
³IHOODV´WRH[SUHVVKLVpleasure as Frank keeps his promise toward Trupo.
1.17 Guys
The setting takes public telephone inside, this word is said by Richie,.
Richie gives instruction by phone to his partners to encircle place where blue
magic (drugs) that produced. Below are the conversations:
³5LFKLH : All right, they're cutting and bagging in the South Tower of the Stephen Crane Projects right now.
Toback : Are you sure this is it? You're positive?
Richie : I'm positive, Lou: I'm positive: Okay? Everything is ready to go: All the guys are ready to go:Just push the button, give me the warrant,
RND\"2ND\<RXJRWLW´53
From the conversations above, the word guys means fellow. This meaning
LV XWLOL]HG LQ 17&¶V 'LFWLRnary of American Slang and Colloquial Expression.
The writer categorizes this slang into society slang because it is suitable with the
characteristic of society slang, it is usually used in the daily conversation in
society. Richie uses this slang to ask his partners to offense the barracks of dope.
7KHUHIRUHWKHZULWHUWKLQNVWKDW5LFKLHXVHVWKHZRUG³JX\V´EHORQJVWRDFHUWDLQ
group of cop.
53
1.18 Motherfucker
The setting is at side of street, NYPD (New York Police Department)
HQFLUFOH 7XUQHU )UDQN¶V EUother) because he is a drug healer. Below are the
conversations:
³1<3' : NYPD! Everybody stand still!
7XUQHU¶VIULHQG : Turner! Go!
NYPD : Down on the ground, motherfucker!´54
From the conversations above, the word motherfucker means interjection,
this mHDQLQJ LV XWLOL]HG LQ 17&¶V 'LFWLRQDU\ RI $PHULFDQ 6ODQJ DQG &ROORTXLDO
Expression. The writer categorizes this slang into society slang because it is used
in every class of society, especially in informal situation. The writer thinks that
NYPD uses this slang to express his anger, because Turner tries to turn against
NYPD.
C. The Reason of Using Slang
From the analysis above, the reason of using slang can be described as
follows:
1. The Reasons of Using Society Slang
The writer assumes that the reasons of using Society Slang like the words
Shit, Asshole, Fuck , Buck, God damn, What the hell, Nuts, My man, Cool, Grand,
Bullshit, Junkie, Dog and Pony Show, Bro, Kid, Fellas, Guys, Motherfucker in
American Gangster movie as follows:
54
