vernacularism

American  

[ver-nak-yuh-luh-riz-uhm, vuh-nak-] / vərˈnæk yə ləˌrɪz əm, vəˈnæk- /

noun

1. a vernacular word or expression.

2. the use of the vernacular.

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vernacularism British  

/ vəˈnækjʊləˌrɪzəm /

noun

1. the use of the vernacular or a term in the vernacular

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Etymology

Origin of vernacularism

First recorded in 1840–50; vernacular + -ism

Explanation

A vernacularism is a word or expression that is common in everyday speech. You've likely used a vernacularism or two today just chatting with friends or scrolling through social media. The word vernacularism is sometimes used to refer to the general use of the vernacular, the native speech or language of a place. Originally, vernacular was a Latin term meaning "native to a place," but over time, it evolved to mean the common language spoken by ordinary people, as opposed to a formal or "prestige" language like Latin. Today, vernacularism almost always refers to a specific word or localized expression used in everyday, casual speech, such as using the word cool to mean "excellent."

Example Sentences

I thought that rather a vernacularism, if there is such a word, as soon as I had said it; but I didn't stop to apologize.

From Options by Henry, O.

Related Words

• dialect
• jargon
• locution
• parlance
• patois
• phrase
• vernacular