A colloquialism is an informal word, phrase, or expression that people use in everyday conversation rather than in formal speech or writing: gonna, y'all, or What's up? Colloquialisms are fine with friends and family, but you should avoid them in formal settings.
Have you ever wondered what colloquialisms are? Many people do not know the word, even though they use colloquialisms every day. They vary from place to place and from region to region, so the ones you use depend largely on where you live and whom you spend time with.
What a colloquialism is
For such a long word, a colloquialism actually makes things easier for the people who use it. A colloquialism is a word, phrase, or expression that people use when they talk to each other in a relaxed, familiar way, as opposed to formal speech or writing.
A good example is a greeting between two close friends. In a formal greeting, you would say "Hello, how are you?" With a colloquialism, you would say "What's up?" instead. Another example is asking a friend "Wanna get outta here?" instead of "Do you want to get out of here?"
If you are not sure which tone a text needs, read how to choose between formal and informal writing styles.
Colloquialisms in everyday life
Colloquialisms, or informal expressions, are part of everyday life. They are especially common in text messages and chats, because they get a message across quickly. Like abbreviations, a colloquialism can cut down the number of words you need to say what you mean.
Still, many people make the mistake of using them at the wrong time. They are fine when you speak to someone you know well. They are not a good choice when you speak to someone in a formal setting, such as at a job interview or in a formal business meeting with colleagues.
Colloquialisms in literature
Many writers use colloquialisms in their books to connect with their readers. These expressions are part of the language of the people around the writer and of the society they write about. For a writer who wants to reach younger readers, everyday phrases and slang are an easy way in. Unlike formal language, they make a story feel real.
Shakespeare shows how quickly colloquialisms age. Many readers today find his plays hard to understand, partly because the everyday words of his time have changed their meaning or dropped out of use. In Romeo and Juliet, Juliet answers her nurse with "Anon, good nurse!" In everyday speech back then, anon meant "right away" or "in a moment", much as you might call "Coming!" today.
Examples of colloquialisms
| Colloquialism | Meaning |
|---|---|
| no-brainer | something that needs very little thought |
| gonna | going to |
| gimme | give me |
| oughta | ought to |
| outta here | out of here |
| y'all | you all |
| ain't | am not, is not, are not |
| What's up? | Hello, how are you? |
| buzz off | go away |
| go bananas | get very angry, excited, or crazy |
| rathole | a dirty, small, uncomfortable room |
| bamboozle | to trick or deceive |
| yonder | over there |
When should you use them?
Colloquialisms help people express themselves more easily and more quickly, and they help writers connect with their readers. With friends, family, and even strangers, they can break the ice in a conversation. So when should you use them?
When you talk or write to someone you are comfortable and informal with, colloquialisms are fine. In a formal setting, however, avoid them. Keep your formal writing and speech as professional as you can, because correct grammar and spelling matter there. In the right place, though, colloquialisms cut to the chase and help you get your message across.