Advice on North America: Common U.S. phrasesJul 20 '01 (Updated Jul 24 '01) Write an essay on this topic.The Bottom Line If you try not to concentrate too much on the words, but rather on the general context, you'll be better able to understand what people mean to say. I noticed that Epinions has a category in Travel for "Advice on North America: Common Phrases", and within that there are subcategories for all parts of North America EXCEPT the U.S. Rather U.S.-centric Epinions, no? This is for all those Epinioners out there who are NOT from the U.S., or who recently moved here, and are still struggling with some of our slang/jargon. As someone who is used to dealing with people from all over the world, I have become accustomed to automatically checking myself and my language when speaking with people whose first language is not American English. As such, it has enabled me to be more aware of all the "peculiarities" of our everyday language. Below I will try to list and explain some U.S. words and expressions. Word/Expression: to wolf something down Quick translation: to eat something quickly Example: "I wolfed down that sandwich so quickly." My interpretation: Wolves are known for eating their food quickly, for fear that another wolf will get to it before them. So to "wolf something down" is to eat as quickly as a wolf does. Word/Expression: wicked OR really Quick translation: very Example(s): "It is wicked hot in Singapore." "She was really late for work today." Word/Expression: gotta Quick translation: to have to/to need to Example: "I gotta leave now." Word/Expression: to go (expression used where food is sold) Quick translation: to carry out/to take out with you Example: a waiter or salesperson may ask "Would you like (your food) to go?" Word/Expression: sick (when used to describe a person's mind or an event) Quick translation: strange or perverted Example: "That person is sick!" or "What he did to her is sick!" Word/Expression: What's up? Quick translation: a very casual way to say "Hi" or "How are you?" or "What is happening here?" Word/Expression: handy Quick translation: very useful, very industrious, or able to fix things themself Example: "Her husband is very handy around the house." Word/Expression: to catch a cab/taxi to hail a cab/taxi Quick translation: to get a cab/taxi Example: "Let's catch a cab to the restaurant." Word/Expression: to catch a TV show/newstory/conversation Quick translation: to hear or see something Example: "Did you catch the news last night?" Word/Expression: to have time Quick translation: to have sufficient available time Example: "If we have time, we can stay at the bar until 11:00 p.m." Word/Expression: to threaten to kill someone Quick translation: to be very mad with someone Example: "I'm going to kill her when I see her." Word/Expression: "Whatever floats your boat." Quick translation: whatever pleases you Example: "I'd prefer to go on Sunday." Response: "OK, whatever floats your boat." Word/Expression: shaky/sketchy Quick translation: unsafe, unclear, not a good idea Examples: "I'm not sure what my boss wants me to do. His directions were a bit sketchy." OR "Should you go there? Isn't that neighborhood a bit shaky/sketchy?" Word/Expression: "I'm outta here" (I am out of here) Quick translation: I am leaving now Word/Expression: guy/guys Quick translation: a man/a group of men or a group of men AND women. Examples: "Hi guys (men and/OR women)... what's up?" "That guy (man only) is strange." "Those guys (men, or group of men and women) are also coming with us." Further clarification: Guy (singular) can only refer to a MAN. Guys (plural) can apply to a group of men and/or women. Word/Expression: to double-check Quick translation: to re-check or verify Example: "You should double-check our bank account balance before we plan our vacation trip." Word/Expression: "You gotta be kidding me." Quick translation: "You must be joking." OR "What you are saying cannot be true." Word/Expression: gonna (pronounced like "gunna") Quick translation: going to .... Example: "I'm gonna clean the bathroom today."  |
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