Занимательная страничка: Slang, Jargon and Idioms in the U.S.
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You may have noticed U.S. Americans using special expressions in their talking and writing to convey a certain style, tone or meaning which do not seem to translate literally from the words used. Such expressions are called slang, jargon or idioms. Take a simple statement such as He is cool. This could mean that the person s body temperature was closer to cold than hot (taken literally), but used as slang, it means that this person possesses admirable or outstanding qualities. Another phrase which illustrates an American idiom is That s it in a nutshell. This means that someone has captured an idea in such a brief but accurate way that the condensed version could figuratively fit into the small shell of a nut. You may feel uncomfortable or not understand when U.S. Americans you interact with use jargon, slang or idioms. It is important to learn and understand the more commonly used expressions of this type, and you should feel free to inquire of the speaker or writer if you do not know a certain phrase or word they use. Alternatively, you could make a list of jargon, slang or idioms that you hear and ask a trusted friend or co-worker about their meanings. See if you can match the following five expressions with their actual meanings:
Expression
1. Call the shots
2. Juggle your schedule
3. That s for the birds
4. Pass the buck
5. To scarf
6. Don t beat a dead horse
7. Don t let any grass grow under your feet
Meaning
a. Eating quickly
b. Be in charge; make the decisions.
c. Don t pursue closed issues
d. Rearrange your time
e. Undesirable; inferior
f. Don t waste any time
g. Dump a job/decision on someone
Answers: (1.b., 2.d, 3.e, 4.g, 5.a, 6.c, 7.f)
Adapted from Language, Customs and Protocol, Moore, Oliver and Veady, 1992.
You may have noticed U.S. Americans using special expressions in their talking and writing to convey a certain style, tone or meaning which do not seem to translate literally from the words used. Such expressions are called slang, jargon or idioms. Take a simple statement such as He is cool. This could mean that the person s body temperature was closer to cold than hot (taken literally), but used as slang, it means that this person possesses admirable or outstanding qualities. Another phrase which illustrates an American idiom is That s it in a nutshell. This means that someone has captured an idea in such a brief but accurate way that the condensed version could figuratively fit into the small shell of a nut. You may feel uncomfortable or not understand when U.S. Americans you interact with use jargon, slang or idioms. It is important to learn and understand the more commonly used expressions of this type, and you should feel free to inquire of the speaker or writer if you do not know a certain phrase or word they use. Alternatively, you could make a list of jargon, slang or idioms that you hear and ask a trusted friend or co-worker about their meanings. See if you can match the following five expressions with their actual meanings:
Expression
1. Call the shots
2. Juggle your schedule
3. That s for the birds
4. Pass the buck
5. To scarf
6. Don t beat a dead horse
7. Don t let any grass grow under your feet
Meaning
a. Eating quickly
b. Be in charge; make the decisions.
c. Don t pursue closed issues
d. Rearrange your time
e. Undesirable; inferior
f. Don t waste any time
g. Dump a job/decision on someone
Answers: (1.b., 2.d, 3.e, 4.g, 5.a, 6.c, 7.f)
Adapted from Language, Customs and Protocol, Moore, Oliver and Veady, 1992.