Words That Work: It's Not What You Say, It's What People Hear

by Frank Luntz

FIGURE 1: CONTEMPORARY YOUTH LANGUAGE AND DEFINITIONS WORD: Bro DEFINITION: Friend WORD: Bling DEFINITION: Bright, flashy jewelry WORD: Bootylicious DEFINITION: Very sexually attractive WORD: Diss DEFINITION: To disrespect someone WORD: Fo’ shizzle DEFINITION: An affirmation of a comment or action WORD: Ghetto DEFINITION: A description of urban and/or poor culture WORD: Got game DEFINITION: Ability that earns the respect of others WORD: Hella DEFINITION: Word used to give emphasis to something. Ex: That pizza was hella-good. WORD: Holla DEFINITION: A greeting to get one’s attention WORD: Jonesing DEFINITION: An intense, overwhelming craving WORD: Mac Daddy DEFINITION: A man who gets everything he wants WORD: Phat DEFINITION: Cool, good-looking WORD: Player/Playa DEFINITION: Someone who has many relationships