Slang Beginning with N
In this lesson, we cover essential American slang starting with letter N 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 M.
Word of the Day: N
nag: to ask for something again and again; to bother someone with questions and requests.
Tito’s wife nagged him to do work around the house so often, he finally decided to move out.
nail: to be successful in something; to do something well (sometimes it means to have sex).
The Vikings nailed another victory, and now they’re going on to the playoffs.
nark: to inform the authorities of illegal or unethical activity.
Natasha was getting free cable TV service for years until her neighbors narked on her.
neo-con: short for “neo-conservative, a person with a politically conservative, often Republican, view of world affairs. Favors preemptive attacks on sovereign nations.
The neo-cons advising George Bush in the first half of his administration, quickly found the door when their plans in Iraq went awry.
nerd: awkward and often brainy but not good at athletics, and often not good at social interaction.
Our new math teacher is kind of a nerd. He always has a calculator and several pens and pencils sticking out of his front pocket.
network: an ability to contact a group of people with similar interests, usually for the benefit of an individual or a company (a word often used in business settings).
Oscar used his sharp networking skills to get another job soon after he was laid off.
never mind: it’s not important; it doesn’t matter; no problem.
A: Do you still need help?
B: No, never mind. I’ve found what I was looking for.
nickel and dime: to pay small amounts of money, suddenly amounting to a large amount.
Every year it seems as though the schools nickel and dime the parents to death by asking for more financial support.
nightie night: goodnight.
nit-pick: identify small problems; complain about everything.
If you keep nit-picking the way I cook, I’m not going to make dinner any more.
nitwit: a stupid person.
The pharmacist is a total nitwit. He gave me the wrong prescription, and he overcharged me for the medication.
no-go: something that isn’t going to happen.
The game tonight is a no-go because of the weather.
no good: poor quality; a bad product (similar to “not good”).
We had to throw out the apples because they were no good.
no-no: a bad situation
Smoking inside public buildings is a big no-no.
no show: someone doesn’t come to an event, an appointment, or a meeting–often without calling.
Dr. Johnson’s 3:00 appointment was a no-show, so he left his office to go play some golf.
no sweat: no problem; something easy.
A: Can you lend me 20 bucks?
B: Sure, no sweat.
no way: no; absolutely not; impossible.
He’ll have to take out a loan because there’s no way he’s going to have enough money to buy a new car.
not so hot: not good.
A: How do you feel today?
B: Not so hot. I think I’m going to stay in bed and get some rest.
not so much: something isn’t good, especially in comparison to something else.
I like the way this band sounds, but as for the one that play earlier–not so much.
not to worry: don’t worry.
A: Oh no! I forgot to bring my wallet.
B: Not to worry. I have some money I can lend you.
no win: a situation in which no one benefits.
Tom and Jose decided that a fight would put them both into a no-win situation at work, so they decided to just try to get along with each other.
number one: the best; the biggest.
Toyota is now the number one automaker in the world because they make great cars.
nut job: a crazy person; someone you dislike because his or her behavior is unusual.
The guy who decorates his house with empty glass bottles is a real nut job.
nuts and bolts: the important parts of something.
Do you understand the nuts and bolts of our program?
nutty: a little odd; unusual.
A bake sale seems like a nutty way to raise money for a school. There has to be a better way to do that.
Next Slang Lesson
In our next lesson, we will cover American Slang Beginning with Q.
Related Slang Lessons
None
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