(not) at all
Structure
- 全然 + Verb/Verb[ ない ]
- 全然 + いAdj/いAdj[ くない ]
- 全然 + なAdj/なAdj[ じゃない ]
Is there some story behind the normal and slang versions of this? They seem to be opposites. Is the slang a bit sarcastic?
I wouldn’t say it’s particularly sarcastic. I use them both all the time (probably too much 
)
You’re right that they can be used as opposites, but both ways can be used in the slang-esque tone.
For example, two friends could say:
A: このビールを飲んでいい？(can I drink this beer?)
B: 全然！(yeah of course!)
Or on the negative side:
A: 彼女できたの？ (did you manage to get a girlfriend?)
B: 全然！ (of course not!)
This is one that depends a lot on context, so obviously make sure you read the situation.
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Ah, one of those words that can trip up a newbie then, I guess! Thanks 
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I think not necessarily the word itself, but getting used to reading into the context is something that takes time with native English speakers, since we’re generally pretty direct.
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You must speak a different version of English to me! My family is highly sarcastic, though 