Unless you are a child prodigy studying for the national spelling bee, memorizing the entire English language is seriously impossible.

For those times that deem you unworthy of participating in conversations due to the use of large vocabulary, feel inferior no more. Thanks to smartphone dictionary applications, it is now socially acceptable to carry around a pocket dictionary.

But the most useful is the Urban Dictionary app.

Say you’re excited about MayFest and are getting ready to pregame. In the spirit of the carefree feeling the day brings, you ask your sheltered roommate if he has any chasers. Confused, he asks, “What’s a chaser?”

Your facepalm could have been avoided if your roommate had slyly used the Urban Dictionary app.

The screen is simple and user-friendly. Type the word or phrase you want to look up in the search bar and the results instantly appear in a list format.

Based on the Urban Dictionary website, the app is essentially a dictionary filled with slang words and phrases posted with user-submitted definitions and accompanying sentences.

For example, searching “chaser” lends the definition: “Something you drink right after taking a shot or swig of hard alcohol. Usually juice, pop, or beer.”

The accompanying sentence reads: “You gotta use a chaser when drinkin everclear!”

Granted, it isn’t the most eloquently stated, but it gets the message across.

As a bonus tip for using the app: Try typing your name in the search bar. You’ve never read a more colorful description of your name’s meaning before, guaranteed.

Published on April 8, 2013 at 1:08 am

Contact Kristin: klross01@syr.edu | @kriskross22