Slagging
/ˈslæɡ.ɪŋ/noun
The act of criticizing or mocking someone; also the act of removing slag from metal.
Did you know?The word comes from Old Norse and Middle English roots tied to burning, dross, and furnace waste, so even modern insults carry the shadow of the forge.
Etymological Timeline
Old Norse
ON
slagg
“dross, cinders, residue from burning”
Middle English
ME
slagge
“slag; waste matter separated from metal”
16th Century
English
slag
“the stony waste separated from metal during smelting”
20th Century
English
to slag (someone)
“to mock, insult, or criticize”
Modern English
English
slagging
“mocking, criticizing, or ridiculing someone; also removing slag in metallurgy”