“Slang is a language that rolls up its…” – Carl Sandburg

“Slang is a language that rolls up its sleeves, spits on its hands and goes to work.”

– Carl Sandburg, The New York Times (1959)

What does it mean?

Slang is the practical, everyday language of ordinary people. It is informal and rough, but it gets the job done.

Slang: very informal words and expressions, often used by a particular group
rolls up its sleeves: gets ready to work hard

Carl Sandburg: American poet and biographer (1878–1967). Source: The New York Times (1959).