Learn American Expressions & English Language

Horse Sense

2008-07-15T10:34:00.000-07:00

Many American Expressions originated on the ranches and farms across the country.

Don't beat a dead horse, is advice given for someone to stop arguing, because the decision has been made. If a deal has already been settled, it does not matter any more. So, why beat a dead horse?

You can lead a horse to water, but you can't make him drink. This expression means that you can provide an opportunity to somebody, but there is no guarantee that he or she will accept it.

Here is a web page with many more horse idioms, such as these:

Don't put the cart before the horse.
Don't change horses midstream.
Don't look a gift horse in the mouth.
Horsing around

Carrot and Stick

2007-12-05T09:43:00.000-08:00

In President Bush's December 4, 2007 press conference, he said, "that was the sticks-and-carrots approach." He later corrected this improper use of the phrase by saying, "One thing is for certain: The NIE talks about how a carrot-and-stick approach can work." (See full transcript of the press conference here.)

The idiom refers to the image of a horse or donkey being led in the master's desired direction, by dangling a carrot on a stick in front of the animal from the carriage seat.

The President is not known for his diplomacy, assumes a posture of a superior, paternalistic empire while insulting another country, in this case, Iran.

Another subtle insult was the use of the term regime for the Iranian government. No one refers to the U.S. regime. It is a term for a government, but often with a negative connotation, a government that is perhaps new, unstable, or criminal, such as a fascist regime.

In politics we see the subtle use of language and terminology making differences in perception and opinion, right on down to who is an "enemy combatant" or "terrorist". In the press conference Bush would say, "the most disappointing thing about Washington has been the name calling." Strange to hear from one whose buddies, the right wing talk show "pundits" such as Rush Limbaugh, Don Imus (see previous article) and Michael Savage revel in assigning negative labels such as "femi-Nazis" to those they have chosen to make their enemies.

Moving the Goalposts

2007-09-12T07:02:00.001-07:00

Originally uploaded by Rebecca Key

Moving the goal posts is an expression meaning to change originally established rules or goals to benefit your or your team. This strategy is often taken by a person or party whose efforts have fallen short of making their goal. The easy solution is to move the goal posts, so that an errant attempt might make the goal, or not appear to be an extremely bad miss.

The phrase originates from football, and it's variations. How many sports contests would be altered if somehow the location of the goal posts were magically moved?

U.S. Government officials have spent two days reviewing reports and asking questions of Gen. David Petraeus, head of U.S. forces in Iraq, and U.S. Ambassador Iraq, Ryan Crocker, and this phrase was invoked a number of times. Many U.S. representatives and the public are concerned that the war in Iraq has indefinite goals and timelines. The U.S. bombed Baghdad in March 2003 and since that time millions of Iraqis have fled their country, billions, perhaps trillions of U.S. dollars have been spent on the conflict - some of it unaccounted for, over 3,000 U.S. soldiers have been killed, and many more permanently wounded or crippled. Statistics of Iraqi civilian casualties are unclear. After all this, there is still great instability in Iraq and no end in sight.

Raising the bar is a similar expression to moving the goal posts, and originates from the high jump event in track and field competition. To raise the bar normally has a positive connotation; that a person is setting a higher goal to achieve. To match the metaphors, if one were to say, "Go ahead and move the goal posts 10 yards back, and I can still make the kick good," or "Raise the bar 10 centimeters higher, and I can jump over it."

In the case of the military and political goals in Iraq, moving the goal posts seems to have more to do with timelines than space. Yesterday's goal post may have been based upon a promise that the war can be finished by October 2008. Today's goal post is moved to 2009, or maybe further out. This fog of war happens when there is no clear, long term mission strategy at the beginning, so the rules are made up as they go along. There is an expression for this response to a lack of study and planning, and it may have originated in the days of wild west Texas: shooting from the hip.

False Alarm

2007-08-13T13:54:00.001-07:00

false-alarm gps
Originally uploaded by jennybach

At the JFK airport baggage claim, a young man was speaking on his cell phone. With an Eastern European accent he shouts, "It was a false alarm! Don't you know what false alarm means?" I guess his friend thought there was trouble, and this guy was telling him everything was really OK.

The term false alarm originates from a mistaken call to the fire department reporting a fire, when there really is no fire. Also called a nuisance alarm, it could be a deceitful prank, or just worry over something that did not actually happen. A similar instance is the classic anecdote of someone yelling out, "Fire!" in a crowded theater, causing a dangerous stampede by the panicked crowd.

Another example would be the Aesop fable of "The Boy Who Cried Wolf", but that's another story.

The Grass Is Always Greener

2007-08-13T12:57:00.000-07:00

Greener Grass
Originally uploaded by mdsnbelle

The grass is always greener on the other side of the fence is a common expression, meaning that by human nature, people often believe others have it better. "That guy's lawn, or that guy's house looks better than mine," is classic envy or coveting of another's property.

In many cases it may be true. People leave Afghanistan, Iraq, India, China, Vietnam, Cuba, Russia, Mexico and come to the U.S.A. to find a better life. There must be a good reason for this.

Bad Slang Gets You Fired

2007-04-12T18:38:00.000-07:00

Radio talk show host Don Imus got fired for racist and sexist comments broadcast over radio and television.

Here is a video clip with the context of the words that got this man in "hot water", big trouble.

From Mark Egan of Reuters News:

Debates over racial expressions are a frequent feature of an American culture still struggling to come to terms with a legacy of slavery and discrimination. "Nappy" is a slur describing the tightly curled hair of many African-Americans. "Ho" is slang for "whore," and is commonly used in rap music.

Kiss and Ride

2007-03-21T15:56:00.001-07:00

Kiss and Ride
Originally uploaded by sanbeiji.

Often new expressions are introduced into the English and American mainstream by way of foreign countries. The description attached to this photo tells us that the expression, as odd as it may look, is present at the drop off areas in a few train stations in the US and Canada, although this is the first I've seen it or heard the phrase.

Mordor?

2007-03-19T18:23:00.001-07:00

Mordor?
Originally uploaded by steffstef (in China).

Dial M for Murder, was the famous 1954 Alfred Hitchcock film with Ray Milland and Grace Kelly. Mordor is the land ruled by Sauron in The Lord Of The Rings.

"Keep morder" may have been intended to say, "keep order" or be orderly, behave yourself. The signmaker would have been better off keeping the message short and simple, such as "Caution," or simply "Be careful."

What Does It Mean?

2007-03-17T14:37:00.001-07:00

What the Fuck!!!
Originally uploaded by andytgeezer.

It is difficult to know what this Chinese message's true intention is. Beginning with the first line, a more acceptable phrasing is, "Recently on December 31 2006 our Company..." When giving an exact date, use the preposition "on." If you refer to a month, then use "in December" which implies "in (the month of) December."

The second sentence seems to be saying that the company has withdrawn a line of Chinese men's clothing.

The third line has humorous errors. "Pure zero" sounds like a scientific experiment. The word pure is unnecessary in this context. The word "goodses" is probably intended to be "goods", so the corrected phrase would be, "Zero deadline of all goods in market," which I'm still uncertain of the meaning. Does it mean immediate delivery, ready to ship now?

"bye China" could be an attempt to advertise to "buy China" merchandise.

The likely conclusion for an English speaking customer could be a lack of confidence in this merchant.

Keep In It Real

2007-03-16T10:42:00.001-07:00

Keep In It Real
Originally uploaded by curoninja.

This is a good idea, but the wrong wording. The intention is most likely the expression, "Keepin' it real", which most likely originated as an African-American soul music expression. Keeping it real means to be honest and truthful, to have integrity, without a hidden agenda, without bullshit.

"Keep in it real" would roughly mean perhaps that you really want to stay in a place for a longer time, and is a phrase that is rarely, if ever used in English speech or writing.

Pardon My French

2007-02-23T08:47:00.001-08:00

New French Couture?
Originally uploaded by austinhk.

A common phrase in American English is, "Pardon my French," which is said as an apology after uttering a swear word, sometimes referred to as "potty language." You may be emotional or excited and speak using a profanity or "dirty" word, and so not to offend polite company, you can "back pedal", and excuse yourself with, "Pardon my French."

The foul mouthed American comedian Lenny Bruce wrote a book, How To Talk Dirty And Influence People. The title is a "take off" or a reference to a more famous book by people skills educator, Dale Carnegie, How To Win Friends And Influence People. During the editing and publication of President Nixon's internal tapes, indecent language was edited using the phrase, "Expletive Deleted."

Perhaps if you use some "blue language" with French company they will not appreciate the "pardon my French" excuse, so try a different tactic.

Midnight Snack

2007-02-02T22:31:00.000-08:00

Midnight Snack

Here is a video of a young American girl and her desire for a midnight snack. This may be an International behavior pattern, I do not know. The concept was popularized in the American consumer culture, in Chic Young's comic strips of Dagwood and Blondie, and on TV shows.

Shane, English For Life Video

2007-01-30T06:34:00.000-08:00

Inexplicably, this video appeared on Technorati's "most popular videos bloggers are linking to" with 141 links. Oops! I've just added one more.

Chinglish

2007-01-09T13:39:00.000-08:00

Tony Hicks writes And Another Thing, a very funny column in the Contra Costa Times. His recent article, "Humor not lost in translation" about preparations for the 2008 Olympics in Bejing points out a number of humorous errors in translation from Chinese to English, such as a park celebrating diversity named, "Racist Park."

Hicks goes on to explore the phenomenon known as "Chinglish" and provides a few helpful links. The link to Flickr's Chinglish section devoted to photos of awkwardly worded Chinese signs and labels is very good. [Note: After repeated failed attempts to Blog This Photo from the Flickr group to Google's Blogger, which is under maintenance, I gave up.]

Scratching The Back

2006-12-08T12:24:00.000-08:00

What am I doing?
Originally uploaded by Maximum Mitch.

To do somebody a favor, or mutual favors, we use the expression, "You scratch my back, I'll scratch yours." Another simpler way of saying this is, "One good turn deserves another."

Pronunciation

2006-11-01T15:01:00.000-08:00

The sweet lady D2X in action; Chicago, you are my first victim.
Originally uploaded by Stuck in Customs.

Proper pronunciation of English adds polish to your presentation. Your reputation and status increases when your pronunciation is precise, accurate and free of foreign accents.

A commonly mispronounced word is "city", which has a short i, sounding like "IH." So, it is not "cEEty", it is "cIHty". It is "vIHdeo", not "vEEdeo."

Be sure to sound out all the letters in a word. It is "oTHer", not "udder". It is pronounced "objecT" not "objeck."

Pumpkin Field

2006-10-31T17:18:00.000-08:00

pumpkin field
Originally uploaded by wvs.

Happy Halloween.

Not a Laughing Matter

2006-07-20T14:29:00.000-07:00

It is polite to laugh with people, but not at people. Meaning, if everybody is in on the joke it is all right. If a few people are the subject or butt of the joke, then it could be ill mannered.

All the same, in this video I think I am laughing at the laughing talk show host the most.

Exercising Free Speech

2006-07-14T06:56:00.000-07:00

bestsign
Originally uploaded by BitsySpanx.

Here we see people outside getting some exercise, going for a walk, expressing their opinions and peaceably assembling with friends.

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.
— The First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution

Little Pink Pill

2006-06-22T17:32:00.000-07:00

Drugs
Originally uploaded by Miss_Alabama_713.

A tourist goes up to the bar at the Top Of The Mark Hotel. There he sees this dude take a pink pill, wash it down with a beer, walk over to the window and jump out. The dude actually flies around for a minute and zips back into the bar and sits back down.

The dude repeats this amazing feat a few more times. Finally the tourist asks if he could have a pill. The flying dude tells him it is his last one. The gentleman offers five hundred dollars, but the fly guy says no dice. Then he makes his final offer of a thousand dollars, everything he has.

The flier reluctantly agrees, takes the cash, surrenders the pill, and turns back to the bar. The gentleman takes the pill, swallows it down with a beer, goes to the window, and jumps out only to fall to his death. The bartender walks over to the flier at the bar and, wiping a glass, says, "You sure are mean when you're drunk, Superman."

It's In the Bag

2006-06-22T15:34:00.000-07:00

In My BAG
Originally uploaded by 718 Shooter.

It's in the bag, means that it is a sure thing, a done deal, a slam dunk. The origin of this expression is most likely a hunting reference, in which the prey has been killed or bagged. Many states have hunting bag limits, such as how many deer, moose or bear you are permitted to bag per season. Brown bagging it, usually means carrying your lunch to work or school, not over $1,000 as in this photo.

Baggage

2006-06-04T20:34:00.000-07:00

Baggage Room
Originally uploaded by bickslers.

Everyone carries their own history. This may also be referred to as "baggage." Somebody's reputation is their baggage. If you have been married three times already, and are looking for number four, then number four must know that you bring with you a great amount of baggage, a "backstory" as they say in Hollywood.

"What's your bag?" is a slang way of asking, "What are your interests, what do you like to do?"

What's in my bag?
Originally uploaded by megpickard.

Pressure

2006-05-27T11:08:00.000-07:00

We all experience tension and pressure in our daily lives. Here is an example of an argument on a bus in Hong Kong, "The Bus Uncle," with English and Cantonese subtitles. The older man is a typical local arrogant, disgusting guy.

The New York piano player and song writer Billy Joel sings about pressure in this video:

Try to remain calm and do not allow other people's tension affect you personally.

Half Empty or Half Full

2006-05-10T11:36:00.000-07:00

I See it Half Empty
Originally uploaded by *B.G. Lewandowski*.

If you look at a glass and say that the glass is half empty, then you may be a pessimist. You are focusing on the empty, negative space.

shots!
Originally uploaded by urbandude.

Or, if you say the glass is half full, then you are being an optimist by appreciating the good half of what you have.

This is a common expression of one's attitude towards life, probably with parallels throughout the world's cultures.

Singular and Plural Usage

2006-04-18T11:18:00.000-07:00

My little honey trick
Originally uploaded by Q8LT.

You can catch more flies with honey than vinegar, is a true saying and it worked well for this photographer.

A common error in English usage is to use singular and not plural. This error reveals the speaker's poor grammar, and English as a second language. For example, you should say, "there is a fly in my soup." Do not say, "there is fly in my soup." That is wrong and sounds wrong to the trained American and English ear.

Another example would be to say, "there are bugs in my code," and not, "there is bug in my code." Either there is one bug, a bug, or there are two bugs, many bugs.

Cloud Nine

2006-04-15T19:59:00.000-07:00

Camera in the Clouds2
Originally uploaded by [trevor].

To say you are "on cloud nine" or "walking on air" are expressions for feeling highly inspired, in love with life and existence. In an NPR radio interview with the Reverend William Sloane Coffin the chaplain of Yale University explains the expression as a spiritual state of grace. As human beings "our value is a gift, not an achievement, that love does not seek value, but creates it." He explains that we do not climb up to Cloud Nine ourselves, we are levitated there by the love of others, that somebody else did for you what you could not do for yourself.

A Lot On Your Plate

2006-04-13T12:38:00.000-07:00

pancakes 013
Originally uploaded by hellebelle.

Biting off more than you can chew, or having a lot on your plate, is a similar way of saying your reach exceeds your grasp. My grandma who lived to 100 always said, "Everything in moderation, even moderation."

dinner
Originally uploaded by eh

Reach for the Sky

2006-04-13T10:42:00.000-07:00

Reach for the Sky
Originally uploaded by Peter F. Martin.

Your reach exceeds your grasp is the expression for ambition beyond your own limits. If you know your limitations, you will avoid accidents, unkept promises and misfortunes. On the other hand, nothing ventured, nothing gained.

To think, imagine and say you can do something is not enough. It must be do-able, realistically achievable. If you set the bar too high for yourself, you may never get anything done.

Can you really touch the sky? Of course... the sky that is 2 or 3 feet in front of you at the moment. Can you really touch the stars? No, you will be horribly burned.

Pimpettes!

2006-04-12T15:30:00.000-07:00

Pimpettes!
Originally uploaded by czech_beauty_miss_robyn.

A pimpette would mean a small imitation female pimp. But these beauties must be joking, because they are not completely small, and they are probably not pimps either.

Adding "ette", from the old French, to an English word is a common method to append the word and designate feminine, diminutive size, or imitation characteristics. A kitchenette is a small kitchen. Leatherette is imitation leather. A sermonette is a short sermon. The Rockettes are the famous Radio City Music Hall dancers.

A pimp is commonly a man who finds customers for female prostitues. Pimp has more recently become a verb for promoting yourself, usually online. The 2005 movie Hustle And Flow features the Academy Award winning song, It's Hard Out Here For A Pimp.

Water Under The Bridge

2006-04-11T15:58:00.000-07:00

Forth Rail Bridge
Originally uploaded by Duncan_Smith.

The expression water under the bridge is a way to refer to past history, events that are over and done with. In a subtle way, this expression has a slightly negative tone or unfortunate connotation, to overcome regrets and offer foregiveness. Perhaps you bad luck and lost a little money gambling. In order to move on with your life you might say, it was water under the bridge. Or if you had an argument with a friend and you want to forgive and forget it, then you say the argument was water under the bridge. Life does go on. Go with the flow.

When The Sun Rises In The West

2006-03-31T13:49:00.000-08:00

Clouds reflected at dawn
Originally uploaded by Andrew Tweddle.

This is a common expression said in China for something that is not possible. A similar idiom in America would be, That will be a cold day in Hell, or When Hell freezes over. Another local American variation is, When pigs fly. Can you think of any others?

Don't Make Waves

2006-03-30T11:29:00.000-08:00

Paradise Valley
Originally uploaded by Eiko Leto.

The expressions "don't make waves" or "don't rock the boat" mean that you should not say or do something that would upset the local environment. If you shout and make a loud protest, you will very likely cause disruption and turbulence. These expressions are usually referred to in regard to any society or group situation, such as the workplace, politics or the family.

For example, someone raised in China told me about people getting into trouble if they speak out publicly against the government. That would be making waves.

Immigration: Los Angeles Protest

2006-03-29T07:33:00.000-08:00

HR4437 Los Angeles Protest 3
Originally uploaded by alien shore.

U.S. immigration laws are a great controversy. Half a million people recently marched in protest in Los Angeles. It is best to immigrate legally. Organizations like AILF can assist you with legal immigration.

Seafood

2006-03-28T07:39:00.000-08:00

j 017
Originally uploaded by jmzz25.

Here we see two types of seafood. On the left we see fish, and the right we see squid. They look good and fresh. We cannot smell them from here. That is OK.

A Big Drink For Four

2006-03-27T12:54:00.000-08:00

IMG_0098.JPG
Originally uploaded by juliaattack.

Here we see the drink is being shared by four friends. Drinking through straws looks like a good way to share.

A Big Drink for Two

2006-03-27T12:50:00.000-08:00

IMG_0071.JPG
Originally uploaded by juliaattack.

Here is a really big drink. It is big enough for two thirsty girls to drink at the same time.

The Digit

2006-03-24T16:22:00.000-08:00

me
Originally uploaded by czech_beauty_miss_robyn.

If someone gives you this hand signal, it probably means it is time for you to go away. Either you have already insulted her, or she has just insulted you. The common American name for this gesture is, "to give somebody the finger."

We're Blondes!

2006-03-24T16:16:00.000-08:00

Us!
Originally uploaded by czech_beauty_miss_robyn.

Perhaps these two beautiful blonde ladies are celebrating the insertion of the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter, or maybe not. Americans have an expression, dumb blondes. But one should not judge a book by its cover. You probably could learn a whole lot from them. Wouldn't you like to know?

Party Time

2006-03-17T16:15:00.000-08:00

There are almost a million pictures on flickr tagged "party." Here are five:
.
A few good drinks get these pretty ladies in the right mood for a party.

This one with blue hair is having an private inner moment. Perhaps she is getting a good idea.

This looks like creamy icing from a cupcake going on to her neck.

Eat, drink and be merry! She is licking a really sweet neck. It tastes good, no doubt.

Shots of tequila will make your head spin. These girls really know how to party! I hope you are having fun learning to read English, or something like that. If not, then go out and have a drink or two, preferably with somebody like these lively people.

Photos originally uploaded to flickr by BitsySpanx.

Possible Misunderstanding

2006-03-16T16:14:00.000-08:00

DSC01257.JPG
Originally uploaded by joes2005.

This photo was tagged "stupid" at flickr, because the possible misinterpretation of the sign's message. Dairy Queen probably will not be able to hire two cheeseburgers now or any time soon.

One Room Schoolhouse

2006-03-16T16:00:00.000-08:00

One Room Schoolhouse
Originally uploaded by cindy47452.

My apologies for not posting here for such a long time. I had sent an e-mail request to Google's Blogger support, asking if is possible to write in English typeface and Traditional Chinese language characters on the same page. I thought this would present an interesting way to show translations.

This picture of a one room schoolhouse is a symbol of the basic, simplistic approach I have set out with in starting this particular blog.

In the brief history of the pioneering of the United States small towns had the "little red schoolhouse." Often children of all ages would receive instruction in the one room schoolhouse.

It is probably like this all over the world. Learning has to begin somewhere, taking small steps.

Mickey Mouse

2005-12-18T12:38:00.000-08:00

100_7105
Originally uploaded by DarenTx.

Here is a photograph of Mickey Mouse with two children.

Mickey Mouse is a cartoon character created by Walt Disney.

Mouse Eating Cheese

2005-12-17T14:41:00.000-08:00

what-a-piece-of-cheese!
Originally uploaded by kais0r.

Here is a mouse eating a piece of cheese.

A cat hunts for a mouse.

Cats hunt for mice.

Black Cat

2005-12-17T13:51:00.000-08:00

USA-KY-2005 (555)
Originally uploaded by hubertk.

Here is a black cat.

Some people believe that when a black cat crosses your path, it is bad luck.

Bad luck is similar to an omen of disaster.

These beliefs are defined as superstition.

Cat's Eyes

2005-12-17T13:29:00.000-08:00

116_1607_edited
Originally uploaded by John and Kim Glisson.

See the cat's eyes.

The cat has big, blue eyes.

Kittens

2005-12-17T13:25:00.000-08:00

20030804-142841
Originally uploaded by Alhana.

Here are two kittens.

A kitten is a baby cat.

These kiitens are so cute.

Another Cat

2005-12-17T13:14:00.000-08:00

Percy plays out
Originally uploaded by Uber-Pea.

This is another cat.

The cat is resting inside of a guitar case.

Black Dog

2005-12-16T20:47:00.000-08:00

black dog 1
Originally uploaded by MediaSpin.

This is a black dog.

The dog has four legs.

He is standing in the green grass.

Dog

2005-12-16T14:49:00.000-08:00

tj_shirt2
Originally uploaded by Captin Shmit.

This is a dog.

This is a small dog wearing a red shirt.

Cat and Dog

2005-12-16T12:13:00.000-08:00

rest
Originally uploaded by neffin1.

This is a cat and a dog.

They are asleep.

They are sleeping together.

Cat

2005-12-16T12:10:00.000-08:00

Annabelle's Christmas Photo Shoot 2
Originally uploaded by AmericnJewl.

See the cat.

This is not a cat.

This is a photograph of a cat.