Idiom and Slang

[abu nuwas]

There are all sorts of slang.However, apart from rhyming-slang. back-slang and that sort of thing, I think it is best seen as a kind of proto-idiom. If it survives long enough, it merges into the language. There is a nameless stage before slang, when newly invented locutions are kicked around a bit, and very often fade away. That may also happen to slang, as a look at books written in the 19th century, up to, perhaps the 20s, will attest. In the days of Oscar Wilde, one might say ''Is he So?'', to enquire whether a man was gay. I doubt it would mean that to anyone now.

Good luck in Las Vegas.