Throughout the history of the English language, there have been many different words with many different meanings.  Among these words are an assorted amount of slang terms used frequently.  One word that this applies to is the term dope.  By evolving in 1876 from Virginia City, Nevada, the word dope has become well known in today's language.

         Back in the late 1800's when the word was first used it had a unique meaning.  The definition that was used to describe the word was "a preparation of pitch, tallow, and other ingredients, which, being applied to the bottom of the shoes, enables the wearer to lightly glide over the snow softened by the rays of the sun" (OED).  The Territorial Enterprise used this definition, which was a company that produced a thick liquid that was used as a lubricant.   As time went on, the word dope evolved into new and different meanings.  A new meaning came about which stated that it was "a preparation, mixture, or drug, which is not specifically named" (OED).  In 1872 when the Chicago Tribune used this definition they interpreted the word with this example: "He�bids us beware of the sugar, for it is full of flour and sand; of the milk, for it is compounded of dope."  This meaning of the word was used throughout the early 1900's until a new meaning came about.  "A varnish applied to the cloth surface of aeroplane parts, in order to increase strength and to keep them taut and airtight" (OED).  Aeroplane used this meaning in 1912 by stating "The Fabric Dope used by the leading British and Continental Aeroplane and Hydro-aeroplane Builders."  (OED) An example that was used in the 1930's by the New York Times was a substance added to petrol or other fuel, to increase its efficiency: "Dopes both for petrol and for lubricating oils are now well known."  In the late 1950's a whole new meaning of the word dope was taken on.  It went from meaning a thick absorbent liquid to a stupid person or a fool.  "Who's Alice?  I asked.  You've met her, you dope."  This was taken from the article Braine Room at Top 48 in 1957.  The word dope evolved by having different people in different cultures describe the definition of the word with distinct meanings.  As stated in Webster's Dictionary, the word dope was used by Americans to talk about how the Holocaust effected them.  "I have no clue as to what kind of dope Hitler was on."  Citizens in Canada were introduced to the word and described it as "being cool."  They used the word "cool" to describe the word dope which meant, "something was excellent" according to Webster's Dictionary.  This is how the main evolution of the word dope came about. After one culture used the word, another different culture picked up on it and used it with a unique expression.

         After describing the subject of the word dope, the verb is used in a different meaning.  The verb's meaning is related to the meaning of the noun in several ways. The noun definition states that dope is an actual object, while the verb definition states that one treats something with dope.   In the late 1890's the word meant to administer dope to a person. An example in a sentence is "I was so doped with my siren song that I steered straight for the rocks."  This is almost the same meaning that many of the people use today.   One can hear this used today in many songs and slang terms in gangs.  In the songs the word is usually referring to how good something is.  An example of this is the lyrics that are recited in many rap songs.  A line from the song "Buckin' my horse" by SirMixAlot states that "all my gangstas are dope."  When used like this dope is compared to the word "phat."  This has the same meaning.  The significance of the word "phat" is that many people that are into hip hop music or rap use this word to describe something that they really like.  "That song I just heard is really phat." Likewise they would say "That song I just heard is dope."  As one can see the meanings between the two words are extremely similar.  "You got the dope!"  This phrase can be heard quite often in the gang culture today.  When members of a gang use that phrase, they are referring to any particular drug that one person was sent out to get.  Usually when gangs use the term dope, they most likely are describing drugs.  Sometimes, though, they might use the term in such a way that it means that something is good.  An example of this is "Yo, that dude looks dope!  Maybe we should initiate him into our gang."  If one hears the word dope used in a "good" sense, than they know that they could substitute a synonym for it to clear up any confusion.   Also, dope and the word dopey are slang terms for drugs.  The most common term it is referring to is marijuana.  "How much dope have you smoked?" is a usage of the word in a sentence.  The term describes marijuana the most often because of its widespread use and its availability.  The parts of speech for the words dope and dopey are the noun and verb respectively. The term dopey means, "dulled by alcohol or narcotic" according to Webster's Dictionary.  "The man across the hall was dopey the night before last."  This is an example of the word used in a sentence.  Another verb that is used is doper.  According to the OED, a "doper" is "one who dopes; one who administers or takes drugs."  This definition was brought about in 1905 when the Daily News was the first organization reported using the term.  They stated that "There were two dopers in the abandoned building when the police arrived on the scene".  All of these meanings pertain to the usage of drugs. In contrast the word "wack" means to have a great dislike, which is the exact opposite of the word dope.  This word has come into existence in the past decade.  Most of the people that use this slang term are interested in the rap music industry.  An example of this is "The CD that I just purchased was really wack".  This is how the term is most commonly used. Sometimes one could use the word to even describe a person's actions.  One could do this stating: "Todd was being really wack last night."  The meaning of this is that Todd was being a real jerk and no one like it. Among the couple of terms that are similar to dope, "wack" is very contrasting to the word.

         Out of all the definitions that are listed in different dictionaries, the word dope to me means drugs and how much you like something.  I found that this definition was used a great deal of time before I thought it would have been.  By researching and finding new meanings of the term, I now can relate to most of the definitions when used in common language today.  The only definition that I really did not understand was a varnish.  For some reason I did not think that dope would ever mean something like that.

         By researching and learning new and different definitions for the word dope, I have come up with several reasons as to why that term should be admitted into Standard American English.  The first reason is that in today's language, the term dope is used nationwide.  Anywhere that one goes today, they are almost guaranteed to here the word on the streets.  It is so publicized that one can even hear it in the local newscast.  This is why I would like to see it placed in the Standard American English.  The most common place to hear it today would be the music industry.  Many rappers and other various artists recite the word numerous times throughout their lyrics. One could also look elsewhere to find the usage of the word.  They could even hear it used in the doctor's office.   The doctor would use this word in a sense that drugs would induce one.

         Another reason that I would like to see the term dope inserted into Standard American English is the numerous definitions that complete the word.  By having so many definitions, dope could be used in one sentence with several different meanings.  An example of this could be "I was so doped that I thought the wack cd was dope."  This example could be interpreted by "I was so high on drugs that I thought the bad cd was a good one."  Many people find the term dope to be quite useful when talking about something they enjoy or like.   While here at college I do not think that one day has gone by when I did not here this term used profusely.  After hearing the word used so much I have also kind of adapted it.  I really did not use that word before I came to my college and met new and different people with different backgrounds. If someone would insert the word dope into the Standard American English, I think the term would become even more popular than it already is.

         From a different perspective, one would admit the term dope into Standard American English to completely solidify its usefulness in today's language. According to today's language when compared to ten years ago, the word dope has risen to new heights.  It went from just meaning drugs to meaning that something is good and cool.  Many people find this new definition to be fascinating to their vocabulary.  It has been used in so many different ways that many people feel that not just the slang term dope should be admitted, but also several other slang words that are very popular.
 Slang terms have become more common in today's word usage.  Words that used to be unheard of are now actual definitions in the dictionary.  As one looks at the world of slang language as it evolved into actual English terms, one can notice how the words got their definitions, especially the word dope.