Slayage
/ˈsleɪ.ɪdʒ/noun
The act or result of slaying, or, informally, an exceptionally impressive performance.
Did you know?The modern celebratory use of “slay” grew through African American and LGBTQ+ ballroom culture, where it praised someone for performing with extraordinary style, skill, or force.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*slak-
“To strike or beat; the reconstructed root associated with later Germanic forms meaning “slay.””
Proto-Germanic
PGmc
*slahaną
“To strike, beat, or kill.”
Old English
OE
slēan
“To strike, kill, or put to death.”
Middle English
ME
slayn / sleen
“To kill or defeat; forms developed as the verb’s spelling and pronunciation changed.”
Modern English
English
slay
“To kill, or figuratively to perform exceptionally well.”
Modern English
English
slayage
“Informal noun formed with the suffix “-age,” referring to an act or display of slaying, especially an impressive one.”