Slang Quote by J. B. Priestley
“I know only two words of American slang, 'swell' and 'lousy'. I think 'swell' is lousy, but 'lousy' is swell.”
About This Quote
Source Play: An Inspector Calls, 1945
The speaker humorously highlights the fluidity of slang, showing how meanings can invert based on context.
In simple terms: Slang meanings can flip.
Key Takeaway
Question assumptions about language.
Themes
language
culture
humor
communication
perception
Mood
playful
thoughtful
Type
literary
humorous
When to use this quote
- casual conversation
- writing dialogue
- teaching language
Key Concepts
semantics
social linguistics
cultural change
Questions to Reflect On
- How do we decide which slang is acceptable?
- What does this say about evolving language?
A Different Perspective
May cause misunderstanding.
![“On the whole I try to keep Modesty and Willie in timeless settings, which is why I avoid all the latest slang and in-words. It won't be long before 'brill' sounds as dated as 'super' does now. [Uncle Happy, 1990]” quote by Peter O'Donnell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/373/peter-o-donnell-110405_chronology_on-the-whole-i-try-to-keep-modesty-and-w_197742.jpg)
