Parlance
Noun
- A particular way of speaking or using words, especially a way common to those with a particular job or interest.
Example Sentences
“Sarah wasn’t used to the parlance in the medical journals, but she was learning more as she did research into her mother’s condition.”
“The general public is becoming more familiar with the parlance of the mental health field.”
“Understanding Gen Z parlance is crucial for brands trying to connect on social media.”
Word Origin
Old French, late 15th century
Why this word?
The parlance in the 1998 cult classic movie “The Big Lebowski” is eminently quotable for audiences because characters repeat specific phrases they’ve heard other people say in prior conversation (“The Dude abides” and “That rug really tied the room together,” for example). In fact, both The Dude (played by Jeff Bridges) and Maude (played by Julianne Moore) slip the phrase “the parlance of our times” into their own lexicon. “Parlance” derives from the Old French “parler,” meaning “speak,” and from the Latin noun “parabola,” meaning “comparison.”
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