verlan

/ vɛrlɑ̃ /

noun

1. a variety of French slang in which the syllables are inverted, such as meuf for femme , and also incorporating Arabic words and phrases

Word History and Origins

Origin of verlan¹

C20: from inverting the syllables of the French word l'envers meaning the other way round

Example Sentences

In France speaking backward is called verlan, a term that is the inversion of the syllables of l’envers, meaning “the inverse.”

From Scientific American

There was an emphasis on not being noticed, on taking off their hoodies, on speaking Creole or Verlan.

From Los Angeles Times

In French, for instance, slang words known as verlan are created by transposing the syllables of an existing word.

From Scientific American

Because many verlan terms originated as a secret code to discuss illicit behavior, the process was often repeated when a new form became too recognizable.

From Scientific American

They referred to white people as “babtou” — verlan slang, or the inverted syllables, of “toubab,” a West African expression meaning whites.

From New York Times