So long story short, I need to use the word “slay” in my essay and it will actually be pretty central to the story. Do you think the people reading my essay will know what it means?? hahah sorry this is a weird question
A better question might be why your topic, which is supposed to get you into college, is so dependent on a slang word probably uncommon above age 30??
well i guess it was an exaggeration to call it central… its seriously not as weird as it seems i promise
Don’t use it. (Full disclosure: I am over 40).
Ahhh… they might misinterpret (or not??) after all the recent coverage of the Prep school rape case. If you mean it that way, then you need a new topic.
I’m over 40, and the only definition of “slay” I know is “to kill”, as in: “slay a dragon”
Same. I only know the “kill” meaning. I suppose I could infer if you “slay that test” or something?
I’m curious, what meaning did you want to use it for?
The fact that some of you under 50 don’t know the slang definition of that term slays me! And I’m 50+.
Apparently, the one meaning that may not be in accepted use is “to have sex with”.
I’m 50, and I only knew the “did amazingly well at” slang meaning, for example in a live improv or comedy performance. But it appears to have acquired sexual meanings. I’d avoid it now.
I’m 17, and your use of the term would probably be humorous for someone my age, but I’d advise against using it in a college essay.
This essay is going to slay.
Why would you use a word that is central to your essay if you weren’t 100% sure that admissions committee readers would know what it means?
Using the word may slay your admission chances! Nyuk Nyuk
What’s the context? There’s no way we’d know whether it makes sense if we don’t know anything else about your essay.
@potatoprincess @VSGPeanut101 its a supplement about the origin of a nickname (my nickname has the word “slays” in it as a pun). i figured they wouldnt get the nickname if the dont know the word.
would this be appropriate?
Unless your nickname is DragonSlayer, I’d stay away from it. I may be dating myself, but that’s the only use of the word slay with which I am familiar – and I daresay that’s probably true of most of the people that will read your essay.
Moreover, I looked it up on UrbanDictionary.com, and was given me some pretty troubling definitions that attribute a strong sexual connotation to the verb “to slay” and not one that is at all flattering to the person (generally women) being “slayed.” Keep away!!
Yikes, I just looked it up on UrbanDictionary.com and I agree with LoveTheBard.
Are you male or female?? Either way, don’t go there.
Don’t use it. It might make your essay sound unprofessional.
As far as slang goes, I’ve only heard it used in the “slay = dominate/do great at” context, not with the sexual one, but I probably wouldn’t use it. My common app essay is also about a nickname.