The earliest use of slang goes back to the year of 1756. It used to refer to the vocabulary of 'lower people'. The exact origin of the word is uncertain however, but might be related to the secret language Thieves' cant, also known as peddler's French. 

When the 17th century came, and the cultural differences in America started to influence the English-speaking population, slang started expanding. 

During the 18th century, slang was thought as incorrect usage of English and was considered forbidden. 

In the 1900's, its meaning changed to no longer be associated with poor people, but still it was used to refer to language below the standards of education. 

Nowadays, it is not associated with criminals anymore. It acquires its form and is influenced by different cultures, and the innovations of technology. 

Jelena Fasola writes in his article: 

"Moreover, slang tends to originate in subcultures in a society. Slang expressions often embody attitudes and values of group members. They thus contribute to a sense of group identity and may convey information to the listener concerning the speaker's background. Before an apt expression becomes a slang, it must be widely adopted by the members of the group."

So, what are examples of slang in the UK and by which groups is it used?