argot
Thieves' coded vocabulary
Argot is the specialized vocabulary of a particular group, especially one used to exclude outsiders or conceal meaning from authorities.
Originally referring to the slang of French thieves and beggars, it now applies to any in-group language: the argot of jazz musicians, prison argot.
Unlike jargon, which serves technical precision, argot often signals membership and creates social boundaries.
Subject-specific vocabulary
- lexiconVocabulary of a language
- vocabularyOne's word collection
- nomenclatureSystem of specialized terms
- phraseologyManner of verbal expression
parlance · shoptalk · buzzwords · technical language · specialized vocabulary · trade language · field-specific
Regional informal speech
- dialectRegional language variety
- idiomFixed phrase, opaque meaning
- shibbolethIdentifying phrase or outdated doctrine
- hobo signsCoded marks for vagrants
Converted to symbols
- cipherHidden writing system
- encryptedTransformed into cipher
- crypticObscure in meaning
- concealedMade invisible deliberately
clandestine · covert · hidden · veiled · disguised · undercover · secret language · code words
Everyday regional speech
- colloquialismCasual conversational expression
- street talkInformal urban vernacular
- informal speechRelaxed, conversational language
- nonstandardDeparting from established norms
Exclusive social cluster
- tribalOf a clan
- exclusiveLimited to one group
- belongingState of fitting in
- social codeInformal behavioral expectations
solidarity · subcommunity · shared vocabulary · cultural identity
terminology
Subject-specific vocabulary
- lexiconVocabulary of a language
- vocabularyOne's word collection
- nomenclatureSystem of specialized terms
phraseology · parlance · shoptalk · buzzwords · technical language · specialized vocabulary · trade language · field-specific
patois
Regional informal speech
- dialectRegional language variety
- idiomFixed phrase, opaque meaning
- shibbolethIdentifying phrase or outdated doctrine
coded
Converted to symbols
concealed · clandestine · covert · hidden · veiled · disguised · undercover · secret language · code words · password
vernacular
Everyday regional speech
- colloquialismCasual conversational expression
- street talkInformal urban vernacular
- informal speechRelaxed, conversational language
in-group
Exclusive social cluster
social code · solidarity · subcommunity · shared vocabulary · cultural identity
- languagelanguage, word, words, grammar, spelling
- vocabularyword, words, new words, term, terms
- slanglingo, vernacular, colloquialism, colloquialisms, patois
- French slangbobo, bolos, flipper, mater, nana
- jargonlingo, buzz words, legalese, code words, shop talk
- language typessign language, pidgin, creole, indigenous language, proto-language