Nadsat facts for kids

Nadsat is a special kind of slang language. It was made up by a writer named Anthony Burgess. He created it for his famous book, A Clockwork Orange.

The story is about a teenager named Alex. Alex and his friends speak Nadsat in the book. Later, Stanley Kubrick made the book into a movie, also called A Clockwork Orange.

What is Nadsat?

Nadsat is a unique language that mixes words from different places. It helps show how the characters in the book are different. It also makes the story feel like it's happening in the future.

Where Did Nadsat Come From?

The name Nadsat comes from the Russian language. In Russian, numbers from 11 to 19 end with "-nadsat." This is just like how numbers in English, like "thirteen" or "fifteen," end with "-teen." So, "Nadsat" basically means "teen."

Many words in Nadsat come from Russian. But it also uses words from other languages. Most of the words are English, or they are changed versions of English words.

How Nadsat Works

One fun way Nadsat changes English words is by using rhyming slang. This is when you use a rhyming phrase instead of the actual word. For example, "dog and bone" might mean "phone."

Nadsat combines these different language styles. This makes it sound very unique and sometimes a bit mysterious. It helps readers understand the world of the book better.

Examples of Nadsat Words

Here are a few examples of words you might find in Nadsat:

• viddy: This word means "to see." It comes from Russian slang.
• appy polly logy: This phrase means "apology." It's an example of rhyming slang.

See also

• In Spanish: Nadsat para niños