Just about everyone who knows me will tell you that I'm not very fluent in slang, whether township slang or American slang. Some of my most embarrassing moments have been when I'm visiting Soweto and my sister introduces me to some of her friends. As I extend my arm for a handshake the other dude goes "Fede?", and I'm always left with this "Uuhhh...." look on my face. Because it always takes me a few seconds to register exactly what "Fede?" means. And to be quite honest, I still have very little idea what it means.
Granted, I may be too analytical. I don't like saying or doing things unless there is a very clear reason why I should do that thing that way, and there's a defined result in doing that thing that way, and there isn't a better way to do that thing. But every now and then something comes along that everyone just takes to like a duck to water, and it becomes such an integral part of life that you don't really have a choice but to join in, get with the program.
But there's some things I can't get a hold of. You'll find this strange and nerdy of me (what's new?) but I just can't get used to the phrase "What's up" or "Wassup" or even worse "Sup". I just cannot respond to that, whenever someone greets me that way. I mean, what do I say? Do I say "I'm good" or "I'm ok"? But that wasn't the question. Do I look up first, and then answer? Most of the time I say "Nothing", not because there's really nothing, but because that's the only answer which sounds right. I mean, I can handle other slang greetings, like if someone says "Howzit" or "Hoezit", I know immediately that the answer to that is "Sharp sharp". Its clearly defined and I can't get confused. And the question is a simple "How is it?" which makes sense. What's up? Not so much hey.
Thing is, everyone uses it. They especially like "Sup" which I especially don't like because to me it's just lazy. You're asking a senseless question and you're abbreviating it. Mnxm. They use it on instant messaging, on the phone, facebook, even e-mails. It's like, you don't really know what you want. I mean, when you say "Sup", what exactly are you expecting? Look up your damn self man!!! Unless you sprained your neck and you seriously need to see the sky but you're physically unable to do so, you shouldn't ask that. It's not on. Not one bit.
But I suppose it's just one of those things I'll have to get used to, along with sms shorthand (a longer tirade on that later).
I rest,
Me
