argot

Definition of Argot

(noun) A characteristic and specialized language used by a group, particularly a subculture.

Examples of Argot

• The language of the legal profession, often called legalese.
• Street names for drugs.
  

Argot Pronunciation

Pronunciation Usage Guide

Syllabification: ar·got

Audio Pronunciation

International Phonetic Alphabet

• American English – /ˈɑrgət/
• British English – /ˈɑːgəʊ/

Usage Notes

• Plural: argots
• The vocabulary of an argot is called a cant and is often composed of idioms.
• Sociolinguistics study argots.
• The terms in this dictionary are an argot of sociology.
• Also called:
  • jargon
  • lingo
  • patois
  • vernacular
• Words in an argot are (adjective) argotic.

Additional Information

• Word origin of “argot” – Online Etymology Dictionary: etymonline.com

Related Terms

• culture
• group
• in-group
• language
• member
• speech
• subculture
• syntax

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Cite the Definition of Argot

ASA – American Sociological Association (5th edition)

Bell, Kenton, ed. 2014. “argot.” In Open Education Sociology Dictionary. Retrieved April 19, 2024 (https://sociologydictionary.org/argot/).

APA – American Psychological Association (6th edition)

argot. (2014). In K. Bell (Ed.), Open education sociology dictionary. Retrieved from https://sociologydictionary.org/argot/

Chicago/Turabian: Author-Date – Chicago Manual of Style (16th edition)

Bell, Kenton, ed. 2014. “argot.” In Open Education Sociology Dictionary. Accessed April 19, 2024. https://sociologydictionary.org/argot/.

MLA – Modern Language Association (7th edition)

“argot.” Open Education Sociology Dictionary. Ed. Kenton Bell. 2014. Web. 19 Apr. 2024. <https://sociologydictionary.org/argot/>.