slice-of-life
UK[ˌslaɪs əv ˈlaɪf]US[ˌslaɪs əv ˈlaɪf]
adj
Describing a type of artistic work, especially a film, play, or story, that shows or describes the ordinary details of real life
n
A film, play, or story that shows or describes the ordinary details of real life
Morpheme Breakdown
slice
of
life
slice
portion
of
preposition
life
existence
Etymology
The phrase "slice of life" is a calque, or loan translation, from the French term tranche de vie, coined by the playwright Jean Jullien in the late 19th century. It employs the concrete, everyday metaphor of a "slice" cut from the whole "life" to describe a narrative technique in naturalist literature and drama. The logic is vividly pictorial: just as a slice of bread is a representative portion of the whole loaf, a "slice-of-life" work presents a seemingly unedited, direct portion of everyday reality. This term has since evolved from its specific theatrical context to become a standard descriptor across various media for works that prioritize realistic, mundane depiction over dramatic plot.
Analysis
Structure: slice (portion) + of (preposition) + life (existence)
- slice: From Middle English slyce, related to Old French esclice (splinter), of Frankish origin. Functions as a noun meaning a thin, broad piece cut from something.
- of: From Old English of, a preposition indicating origin, material, or association.
- life: From Old English līf, of Germanic origin, related to Dutch lijf and German Leib (body). Functions as a noun meaning the condition that distinguishes animals and plants from inorganic matter.
Examples
The film is a poignant slice-of-life drama about a family in a small town.
She enjoys writing slice-of-life short stories that capture mundane yet beautiful moments.
The novel's strength lies in its authentic, slice-of-life portrayal of office culture.