Kory Stamper, a lexicographer, explains the different opinions of slang to her audience, people who disagree that slang should be respected. Her purpose is to argue that slang originated and was used in the past and is a part of the ever-changing English language. In her article "Slang for the Ages" she establishes her authority as a lexicographer to convince the audience that slang is not degrading proper English. Stamper starts off with the misconception that slang is "modish vulgarities of street argot" (46). Since her position opposes this, she knows that to gain her audience's trust she has to establish her reliability and knowledge of her claim. Since Stamper is a lexicographer, somebody who compiles dictionaries, she is able to establish