Slang Beginning with C
In this lesson, we cover essential American slang starting with letter C with examples. In general, slang are used mostly in casual street talks among Americans such that even international (non-native) speakers living in the USA can not understand them. Thus, you may use slang in your daily casual conversations especially with Americans. Just be careful and do NOT use slang in formal conversations like job interviews or business meetings.
Slang Recap
In our previous lesson, we covered American Slang Beginning with B.
Word of the Day: C
call it quits: stop working and, maybe, leave the place where you work. Also, call it a day.
We called it quits after a 10-hour day and went out for a few beers.
can do: completely possible. Also used in the negative–no can do.
This company needs a can-do attitude if it wants to be successful.
catch-22: an impossible situation with no easy solution; a contradiction; illogical reasoning.
The harder I work, the more money I pay in taxes. It seems like a catch-22.
check it out: look at this; this is interesting; listen to me.
Check it out! I got the new Google phone!
cheesy: something kind of cheap; an appeal to popular taste in decorating and entertainment; not of high quality–sometimes regarded as an insult.
Where did she find that cheesy old picture? It looks like something from the 60s.
chick: a beautiful woman; a young woman. (some women don’t like the use of this word–it’s a little sexist.)
There were tons of hot chicks at the place we went to last night.
chicken: scared; afraid. (This is a very popular adjective)
If you’re too chicken to ask her out, I’ll do it for you.
chip in: to share the expenses; to contribute money.
Someone at the office is getting married so we’re all chipping in for a gift.
choke: to suddenly lose the ability to do something or win; to go from winning to losing.
The Cubs have a good baseball team, but they always choke at the end of the season.
chug: drink fast, usually beer.
Let’s chug these beers and get going.
clean: innocent of wrongdoing; not carrying a weapon. (You hear this used a lot on TV cop shows.)
The public thought he was guilty of murder at first, but then it turned out he was clean.
closet: secret (adjective); also in the closet, and out of the closet, usually used for someone who is hiding the fact that he or she is gay.
When he came out of the closet, he lost his job with the military.
cold: not friendly; unemotional.
Ali tried talking to Sara, but she was so cold towards him, he walked away.
come off: to appear; to make an impression.
She came off as a nice person at first, but then after we all got to know her, it turned out she was really mean.
come on: to show some romantic interest in someone.
She was coming on to my friend at the club, but he didn’t notice.
comp: (complimentary); free; payback.
We’re getting out tickets comp because we won a contest.
cool: great; interesting; good. (very popular)
This is a very cool song! What’s it called?
cool off: calm down; try not to be upset
You’d better cool off before you speak to him. You’re too angry right now.
cop: police officer (very popular)
The cops came when a shot was fired in the restaurant.
couch potato: a person who stays on the couch, watches TV, and usually eats.
She’d rather be a coach potato today than go to school on her day off.
corny: something that appeals to simple emotions; lacking in sophistication.
A lot of people say that movie is so powerful that it made them cry, but I thought it was corny and boring.
cough up: to give; to give with reluctance.
Tom’s sister couldn’t cough up enough money to pay her rent this month, so he helped her out.
crap: something bad; junk.
They have a bunch of crap in their backyard that needs to be thrown out.
crib: house or apartment. (African-American usage)
Let’s go back to the crib and get something to eat.
crush: 1. (noun) a fondness; deep romantic love, often one that can’t be fulfilled; 2. (verb, often used in the passive voice) to experience disappointment.
1. She has a crush on her teacher.
2. He was crushed to find out that he didn’t get that job.
cut it out: stop immediately.
My kids were fighting so I told them to cut it out.
cut the cheese: fart; expel gas (a little vulgar); a bad smell.
It stinks in here. Who just cut the cheese?
Next Slang Lesson
In our next lesson, we will cover American Slang Beginning with D.
Related Slang Lessons
None
English Slang Outline
If you wish to see all HiCafe lessons related to English slang, you can visit the Popular and Practical American Slang page.
English Fluency Resources
If you like to read all of lessons related to English expressions, phrases, idioms, proverbs, slang and words, you can visit our Improve English Fluency page.