lingo
UK: ˈlɪŋɡəʊ | US: ˈlɪŋɡoʊ
n. the specialized vocabulary or jargon of a particular group or field
lingo = ling<language> + o<noun suffix>
- ling (from Latin lingua, meaning "language" or "tongue")
- o (a colloquial or informal noun suffix, often used to form slang terms)
Etymology Origin:
The word "lingo" originated in the mid-17th century as a colloquial alteration of lingua, the Latin word for "language" or "tongue." The suffix "-o" was added to create a playful or informal tone, typical of slang formation in English. Over time, "lingo" came to specifically denote the specialized or obscure language used by particular groups, reflecting its roots in both Latin and English slang patterns.
Programmers often use technical lingo that outsiders find confusing.
She quickly picked up the lingo of the legal profession.
The sailors’ lingo was full of nautical terms unfamiliar to landlubbers.
He struggled to understand the lingo of the gaming community.
Medical lingo can sound like a foreign language to patients.