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COMMON QUESTIONS
Uniquely American Questions
This section discusses slang or conversational
English in the United States as it applies to international visitors.
CONVERSATIONAL AMERICAN ENGLISH
Conversational English or "slang" is used by many or most Americans,
especially young people. Here is a small sample listing of some terms
you may hear during your stay:
ain't: (verb) (He, She, It, We, You, They) is/are not or isn't/aren't;
(I) am not or I'm not; can be used with either singular or plural pronouns
ASAP: (adverbial phrase) As soon as possible; used to express a
need for urgency and quick action.
bucks: (noun) Another word for dollars or cash
change: (noun) 1. amount of money you are owed when you pay for
a service and give them more money than is due. For example, if you pay
for a five dollar service with a twenty dollar bill, you get fifteen dollars
in change. 2. Coin money
charge it: (verb phrase) to use a credit card to pay for a product
or service
chill out: (verb phrase) to be calm and relaxed; to be cool
clueless: (adjective) Unaware; naive; lacking knowledge.
cool: (adjective) 1. Calm. 2. Fine, acceptable. 3. Neat; exciting;
interesting; very good.
cops: (noun) police officers; officers of the law
couch potato: (noun) A person who spends too much time in front
of the television
damn: (expletive): used to express anger, disgust, frustration or
pain; an expression of surprise
drinking: 1. consuming alcohol. 2. consuming any fluid.
drunk: 1. (noun) an inebriated person. 2. (noun) a person who makes
a habit of drinking too much alcohol. 3. (adjective) in a state of inebriation
dude: 1.(noun) Person, especially male. 2.(interjection) A greeting
or salutation. 3.(interjection) An indication of surprise.
FAQs: (noun phrase) Frequently asked questions.
for real?: 1. (adjective) True. 2. (interjection) Is it true?
get outta here: (sentence) You must be kidding! I don't believe
you!
hang out: 1.(verb) To relax. 2.(verb) To gather; to be at or with.
3.(noun) A place to meet or get together.
Hello!!?: (interjection) 1. Are you there? I'm trying to get your
attention. 2. Are you awake? 3. Are you stupid?
Hey: (interjection) 1. used to get someone's attention. 2. Used
to express surprise or anger.
hip: (adjective) 1. In style. 2. Knowledgeable.
ID: (noun) Identification or physical proof of your identity, age,
etc.
i.e. (transitional phrase abbreviated): in other words
like: (interjection) Completely, totally; an interjection used
for emphasis.
don't stress: (phrase) Don't worry.
rap: 1.(verb) To talk. 2.(noun) Talk, statement. 3.(noun) A kind
of music sometimes called hip-hop characterized by lyrical talking.
restroom: (noun) lavatory; bathroom.
ride: 1.(noun) Mode of transportation; car. 2.(verb) To go, usually
by car.
surf the Web: (phrase) to do research or searches on the World
Wide Web to find websites that may interest or help you
take it easy: (verb phrase) Be calm; relax; rest.
tired: (adjective) Old, repeated, overused.
totally: (adverb) Very; very much.
way: 1.(adverb) Very; too much. 2.(interjection) Yes; positive
affirmation to the statement "no way."
what's up: (greeting) Hi. What's new or happening?
White Pages: a telephone directory or listing of mostly residential
and business phone numbers and addresses.
yeah: (interjection) Assent or agreement; Yes; positive affirmation.
Yellow Pages: a telephone directory that can help you find businesses,
services and entertainment.
yo: 1.(interjection) Hey. 2. (greeting) Hi; what's up.
you know?: (phrase) Do you understand or sympathize with what I
am saying?
Yous, Yins, Y'all: (pronoun) You (plural)
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