Although the original term and the slang term have a similar definition, slang

terms can be used in a total different way then from the original term they came from.

The original term helps the slang term to develop over the years.  Sometimes gestures can

be added to the slang term to help get the slang term�s point across.
 

      The slang term used the most in my vocabulary would be homie; in my own

personal view homie represents a close friend.  Although some people would say homie

is not proper English, I still consider it proper English.  It is proper English to young

adults, because it is their way to say the word friend in a different and unique way.

Young adults use slang terms to build a connection between their friends; they also build

a special language that they use with their friends.
 

      Homey is defined as �resembling or suggestive of home; home-like; having the

feeling of home; homish� (Oxford English Dictionary).  Homie is defined as �An

Englishman; a British immigrant, esp. one newly arrived� (Oxford English Dictionary).

Homey was first introduced into our language in 1856, and homie was first introduced

into our language in 1927.  Slowly over the years people combined the two definitions

together and came up with a new definition for the word homie.  The new definition for

homie is a close friend, buddy, or comrade.  People still wanted to use homie as a noun;

they wanted it to describe someone who felt at home. Then an idea came in their heads

about how people feel at home when they are around their friends.  People relax and let

loose around their friends; they feel like they could do anything around their friends.  So

then they felt that homie should be defined as a close friend.  When you hear the word

homie you think about being at home, and feeling relaxed.  Because it makes you think

that way, you associate the word with feeling safe and sound.  You feel that no one can

hurt you when you are around your friends.
 

      Because homie is a noun, there are only a few different ways to use homie.  Hey

homie, what is up; younger adults use homie that way.  They use homie as a close friend,

because they want to stand out from the rest of the world and be noticed.  Young adults

usually use the word around their friends because they are probably the only ones who

understand what it means.  Wow, those are some cool homie pants.  Young adults also

use homie this way.  They use it to describe people�s outfits in a different and unique

way.  Homie lets people describe outfits as big and baggy or comfortable.  A bunch of

my homies are over there; those are my homies in that store.  Those are more examples of

how homie is used to represent a close friend.
 

      Chick, hottie, and dude are very similar to the slang term homie. They all are used

by young adults; they all describe or classify people.  Chick is defined as a female; hottie

is defined as an attractive person.  Dude is defined as a person.  Although they are

similar, they still describe very different people.  You cannot use each term

interchangeable.  When you use dude instead of using hottie, your listeners will not get

you idea that you are trying to get across.  Your listeners also could misinterpret what

you said and it could still make sense.
 

      I think homie should be admitted into the Standard American English, because a

lot of people use it in their everyday life.  In order for us to have a Standard American

English someone had to make up words and their meanings to use.  I think some people

are old fashioned, and they don�t want to change their ways.  People can be afraid of

change, and what it will bring for them. It is easier for people to reject ideas.  We are

people just like the ones who came up with the words in our Standard American English.

The only difference is that we live in a different kind of world from those people when

they were growing up.