With the changing American language comes the problem of old words gaining “slang-meanings.”  The word smack had numerous definitions in the past.  Some of those definitions included the sound made when two people kissed, the striking or hitting of an object, and the sound made by the lips when chewing food.  Over the course of time the nature of the word changed into a new meaning.  The new meaning, of the word smack, is an act of criticizing someone behind his or her back.  There are four main reasons why the slang word smack should be used in today’s Standard American English.

       The meaning of the word smack changed over the course of time, due to ethnic inputs.  The word smak originated in the year 1000, when the Dutch used it to describe a delicious odor or a sweet taste.  The Dutch might have said that the smak of the chocolate was sweet.  Then in the year 1200, the Middle Dutch referred to the word smack as being witty and skillful.  An example would be that the thief used his smack to steal the jewelry.  The word then spread to Lower Germany, in the year 1551, and smacke then came to have the meaning of a slate or superficial knowledge.  “The old man has a smacke in the area of science,” is an example of how this meaning was used.  Next, in the year 1570, the German people refined schmacke.  The word’s definition was altered into a sharp noise or sound made by separating the lips quickly, in kissing, and in tasting or anticipating food or drink.  The Germans might have said that the thirsty man made a big shmacke as he saw his ice-cold water being brought to him.  Soon after, the United States of America acquired the word smack, adding a new definition to list in the year 1611.  The U.S.A. referred to smack as a fishing vessel having a well in which fish may be kept alive.  Example of how the U.S. meaning is “The smack, which was full of fish, drifted into the harbor (“Smack.” The American Heritage Dictionary).”  Last but not least, the Danish obtained smack, in the year 1739, and they said that the word meant to have a savory taste.  With this definition of the word smack it could be used as “The juicy steak had a mouth-watering smack.”  These are all fine definitions, of the word smack, but they are rarely used in the English language today (“Smack.” The Oxford English Dictionary).

      I’ve heard and understand all the previous meanings, but nowhere in the history of the word smack did it have as much power as it does today. With the power and well-known usage, of the new slang-meaning smack, I believe that it should be made a formal definition in Standard American English.  The definition of smack, that I use, is when someone criticizes a person behind his or her back.  An example of this would be, if you were out with your friends and you thought someone was putting you down.  You might say to your friends, “I think that person is talking smack on me.”  Another example would be if you said you were talking smack on someone.  This would mean that you were making fun of someone or talking badly about him or her. The people who use this version of smack are teenagers in High School or College.  The reason why adults don’t use this version of smack is because they don’t worry about what people think.  Have you ever heard an adult say, “I think your best-friend’s mom is talking smack on me?”  Well, I know I haven’t, and if my mom would say that I think I would burst out laughing (“Smack.” Cassell’s Dictionary of Slang).

      I believe the new slang version of smack came about through an old definition of the word.  The definition that I believe it originated from was the striking or hitting of an object. When someone is talking smack about another person, it relates to the old definition because they are being hit with a sudden realization that someone is talking bad about them.  The effect it has on its listeners is very negative.  Would you like to find out someone was talking bad about you?  Even though the word has a negative effect on its listeners, it still should be used in Standard American English.  The reason being, is that it is a combined meaning of a new and old definition, and therefore should be updated in the speech we use today.

     The original versions of the word smack included the body’s senses, such as smell, taste, and touch.  Today’s slang definition is used as someone criticizing someone behind his or her back.  These meanings are quite opposite from one and another.  Another slang word, which is used today in our speech, demonstrates this same point.  When you think of the word trash what do you think of?  Do you picture a garbage can filled with raunchy smelling food?  Most people typically think of this first until they are reminded that they use another meaning of this word in their speech.  Have you ever heard someone say, “That person is talking trash about me?”  This example shows that person is filthy about him or her.  These two words smack and trash are related because they are used to show that someone is criticizing another.  The reason smack should be added, to Standard American English, is because its old definitions don’t live up to how we use the word today.

     I have four main reasons why my definition, of the slang word smack, should be brought into the Standard American English.  The first reason being that the old definitions are rarely used.  Would you use the word smack to describe a delicious odor or a sweet taste?  Secondly, teenagers are using the new slang meaning, of the word smack, in everyday speech.  Next time you go to the mall listen in while a group of teenagers talk.  I am sure you will hear one of them say, “I can’t believe they were talking smack on me.”  Next, I believe it is a combined meaning of a new and old definition, and therefore it should be updated.  The old definition was a striking or hitting of an object, the new definition is the act of criticizing another, making the definition of one being hit with a sudden realization that someone is talking bad about him or her.  Last but not least, the word smack is being used differently then it was in the past.  For example, it was once used as a sound made when a couple kissed and now it is being referred to as the act of another person criticizing someone else (“Smack.” The Oxford English Dictionary & “Smack.” Casswell’s Dictionary of Slang).

      The word smack has gained a new meaning in the way we speak today.  The old definitions of the word smack will continue to remain in the past, unless they are revived one day.  The new slang meaning, of the word smack, should be used in Standard American English.  When you are out in public, you will no longer hear the term used as a sound made when people kiss.  Instead, you will hear it when a person criticizes his/or her nemesis.