Going on UrbanDictionary.com will only result in finding out words that you don't know or don't want to know about (its how i found out what a pink taco is; it is how you will inevitably find out what a pink taco is). Recently, however, I came across a new and quite informative way of using urban dictionary: the inside scoop on schools, colleges, cities, and counties. The slang filled language and slight exaggerations actually do a good job of summing up the basics of the place and its inhabitants. It teaches you new words along the way too.
When you urban-dictionary, say, Bethlehem, PA, you will definitely not get some cheesy travel agency correspondent's too-perfect portrayal of the town. You will find dozens of entries by actual residents or at least someone who has lived extensively in a given town and might have a bit of despise for it. Now, after reading just a paragraph of very casual writing, I know that the town of Bethlehem is "very rural feeling" and is a great place for skateboarding and "chill pot smoking". Schools also get the urban dictionary treatment like Churchill Highschool in Michigan. Apparently, "pirates" have taken over but are not aggressive. Only if you try to pick a fight with one will they start pummeling. Walt Whitman Highschool in Maryland is full of "white jewish wealthy children". And the list goes on. This usage of urban dictionary can be seen in two ways- as a tool to find out what kinds of people you will meet during your vacation to Yorktown, VA, or as a source of information for being in the know of a new school or town. Type in any US city or school and I assure you, some teenager who is bored and wants to stir up some hits on urban dictionary will lend you the proper information about the town and its inhabitants. No frills, no anything. Just the inconvenient truth, which is honestly exactly what I need.
No comments:
Post a Comment