patois

 
Pronunciation: /ˈpatwɑː/

noun (plural /-wɑːz/)

  • the dialect of a particular region, especially one with low status in relation to the standard language of the country: the nurse talked to me in a patois that even Italians would have had difficulty in understanding
  • the jargon or informal speech used by a particular social group: the raunchy patois of inner-city kids

Origin:

mid 17th century: French, literally 'rough speech', perhaps from Old French patoier 'treat roughly', from patte 'paw'