The Daily Observer London Desk: Reporter- John Furner
If you ever overhear people’s conversations and wonder what on Earth they’re talking about, a new book may offer a lifeline.
Described as ‘a miscellany of secret languages’, Schott’s Significa by Ben Schott explores the secret words and phrases used by more than 50 modern subcultures.
From Swifties (Taylor Swift fans), Las Vegas gamblers, bartenders, incels and dog walkers, these subdivisions of society all develop a private, secretive lexicon.
And their various words, signs, signals and oblique references are all designed to ‘bind its members closer while keeping strangers out’.
Now, the Media’s quiz presents 10 different words or phrases, each one from a subculture in Schott’s book.
For each round, you will see the word and four multiple choice options with possible definitions.
All you have to do is guess the correct definition.
So do you know your ‘donk’ from your ‘face card’? And does your ‘triskaidekaphilia’ keep you up at night? Scroll down for the answers!
From Swifties (Taylor Swift fans), Las Vegas gamblers, bartenders and dog walkers, the world is full of subcultures that have developed their own secret words and phrases – designed to keep outsiders none the wiser
1. TAYLOR SWIFT FANS
‘Triskaidekaphilia’
a) A love for friendship bracelets
b) A love for the number 13
c) A love for streaming Taylor Swift songs when asleep
d) A love for Taylor Swift songs that didn’t make the final album
2. LAS VEGAS GAMBLERS
‘Donk’
a) A player who doesn’t tip the bar staff
b) A player who can’t afford to lose money
c) An unskilled player
d) An unexperienced player
Do you know your ‘donk’ from your ‘steamer’? Las Vegas gamblers use little phrases to help speed up the process, safeguard staff and patrons and help minimise losses (file photo)
3. INCELS (INVOLUNTARY CELIBATES)
‘Wizard’
a) A man who has platonic friendships with women
b) A man who has had sex more than 50 times
c) A man who is still a virgin at 30
d) A man who never marries
4. DOG WALKERS
‘Cujo’
a) A very loyal dog
b) A very exotic dog breed
c) A very aggressive dog
d) A very docile dog
5. BARTENDERS
‘Campers’
a) Patrons who take their drink outside
b) Patrons who have stopped ordering/paid but show no signs of leaving
c) Patrons who can’t walk properly because they are excessively drunk
d) Patrons who have been a long time in the toilet
Starbucks staff have evolved an oblique language system that lets them potentially bitch about customers within hearing range
6. STARBUCKS STAFF
‘Gertrude’
a) A female boss
b) A female staff member who deliberately writes the wrong names on customers’ coffee cups
c) A female customer who spills drink on the floor
d) An endlessly dissatisfied female customer
7. GRAFFITI WRITERS
‘Burner’
a) A paint product containing volatile chemicals
b) An especially impressive piece of graffiti
c) A graffiti artist that paints over existing graffiti
d) A graffiti artist that hides their painting materials when on-the-run
Schott’s Significa unlocks 53 of the most intriguing linguistic subcultures, including casinos, crypto, dog walkers, bartenders and typographers
8. LONDON BLACK CABBIES
‘Oranges and lemons’
a) Main roads
b) Multiple male passengers taking a trip together
c) Bumps in the road
d) Hailstones
9. INFLUENCERS
‘Face card’
a) The photo on an influencer’s social media profile
b) A female influencer who seeks male attention
c) An influencer whose looks are as valuable as a credit card
d) Inactive or fake social media accounts that impersonate another
10. GYM-GOERS
‘Lunk’
a) A particularly heavy dumbbell
b) Sweat left on gym equipment
c) An obnoxious, muscly gym-goer who is loud, rude and drops their weights when done
d) A member of gym staff who keeps interfering with people’s workouts
