Youthspeak - a rant.

Words, eh? You never know where you are with them. 
Just when you've got properly used to people saying hi! then suddenly everyone's saying hey!

Still, where would The Word Den be if words didn't change? Up a gum tree without a paddle, that's where.
(Note to self: mixed metaphors - share some more soon!)

People will get their knickers in a twist about it, though.

It's all these young people! They say. They make up new words all the time!
It means that we older people don't always understand what they say.
It makes us feel rather excluded, actually.

YES, you poor dears: BUT THAT'S THE POINT!

In any case, you old people are sitting on most of the money and power, aren't you. And what do all those nice young people have? The ability to say peng to baffle you lot.
Surely you don't grudge them that.

In any case, there's no need to worry: there's nothing so painfully embarrassing as old slang. I mean, don't you just dig all this crazy sun?

Ouch! Ouch! Ouch ouch ouch!

I don't suppose peng will be here forever, but let's let people enjoy it while they can.

Word To Use Today But Only If You're Young Enough, Which Certainly Doesn't Involve Me: peng.
I only know this word because I read about it in The Times.
It seems to mean what long ago was termed well fit, and it's probably come from the Caribbean 

I promise not to use it. Ever.

It's all yours!