Expanding Vocabulary
By: Connor Lenahan
Let’s be real for a second; Urban Dictionary is one of the greatest inventions in the history of the internet. There’s an absurdly high chance that if you are reading this you are familiar with the website. In the event you have never heard of the site (Read: my parents and grandparents) then here is a quick definition as provided by the site.
In all seriousness the website is a gem. Users are able to upload different words or phrases while providing their own definition. It’s as if Webster’s was written by a guy named Scooter.
The site is either hilarious or informative depending on the word. Many of the entries on the website are crazy and crazily creative. I know plenty of people that will actually take phrases learned from Urban Dictionary and use them in everyday conversation. It has directly increased the vocabulary of my friends and I.
It’s otherworldly useful in college. Because Boston University will have kids coming from all 50 states there will obviously be an influx of slang that might be localized to a certain geographic area. Basketball friends of mine that are Philadelphia natives like Maurice Watson Jr, Travis Robinson, or DJ Irving might say something that makes complete sense to them as a “Philly word” while I will be completely clueless. I have no shame in admitting that I have looked up terms that my friends use to better follow conversations. This is like Facebook stalking; we all do it, just admit it.
That’s part of what makes Urban Dictionary useful. Someone from Texas isn’t going to understand Heynabonics like I would since I grew up in Scranton, PA. Side note: I know multiple people, including family members, that use the terms in video above. That isn’t fake, Heynabonics is 100% real and hilarious.
So I’ve rambled on enough. You’re probably wondering why I’m writing about Urban Dictionary. It’s because the other day I had my first term posted on the site.
This made me far happier than you might imagine. It was a bucket list item for me. Yes, I do live a sad, pathetic life I agree.
Whatever. I made Urban Dictionary. I’m going places in this world. Specifically to watch more House of Cards. And to come up with more things for Urban Dictionary.
Connor Lenahan (@ConnorLenahan) is a sophomore at Boston University, majoring in journalism.