can u help me to know the most popular expressions in the American language?
2006-11-15 07:31:44 · 12 answers · asked by madeline 1 in Society & Culture ➔ Languages
especially in the US!
2006-11-15 07:41:46 · update #1
"whats up"
2006-11-15 07:39:07 · answer #1 · answered by Sugar Magnolia 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
This is a very difficult to question to answer because it varies from state to state, and within various smaller communities that have things in common such as socio-economic status and ethnicity. I would recommend you go to www.urbandictionary.com for the most up-to-date slang words.
As a Californian, there are a lot of words that are common that come from the younger, highschool generation such as "keep it on the DL." DL= down low, meaning don't tell people. People say "hella" a lot, such as, "That test was hella hard" meaning very hard. African-Americans have also contrubuted a lot to people's everyday slang through the popularity of rap songs, etc. "Hyphy" immediately comes to mind.
Greeting people has been reduced to a simple "Sup?" which comes from "What is up?" and saying goodbye has been reduced to a simple "Late" instead of saying "See you later." I could go on and on, but like I said, check out urbandictionary.com. I also suggest you read questions and comments that people post on the American yahoo.answers site to get a grasp of the newest American slang.
2006-11-15 16:03:18 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Unfortunately, most of the most popular expressions are forms that would be considered rude in polite company.
But, much of this country's modern culture is based on casual rudeness, and forced familiarity. Friends are expected to trade insults without fear of hurting someone's feelings. The difficulty lies in not knowing someone else's feeling about it. The problem extends to how close one person feel towards another. Is someone who was just introduced to me free to accept my insults, made in fun? Should I accept this casual acquaintence's insults in good fun?
So, a suggested activity that is not accepted may be answered with a curt, "Bite me!" in place of "No, thanks."
Among some other popular phrases of this form may include:
"Eat my shorts."
"Not in my lifetime."
"Not if I see you first."
"What part of "no" didn't you understand?"
I'm not proud of this form, but, so what? What are YOU going to do about it? Ask me if I care.
2006-11-15 15:41:51 · answer #3 · answered by Vince M 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It would depend on where you are palnning to go in America and what your are planning to do. i would say that the most used phrase in the american language would be 'cool' or 'Hey'. Maybe if you gave us some more information we could give you better answers. Sorry!
2006-11-15 15:41:47 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Sure. Its the word/expression "ah". We have a real problem with saying a sentence without saying "ah" and "um" twelve times.
2006-11-15 15:45:20 · answer #5 · answered by sweetirsh 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
"Cool" "Awesome" "Gross" "Sweet"
Those are just words. Do you want phrases, too?
"That's just great!" (frustration)
Proverbs/sayings?
"I'm stuck between a rock and a hard place"
"You can't kill 2 birds with one stone"
"You just ain't whistlin' 'Dixie'"
"It' as plain as the nose on your face"
"Better the devil you than you don't know"
"He's a big fish in a small pond"
"He's a big man on campus" (BMOC)
"Different strokes for different folks"
"Give it your best shot"
These are rather 'old' expressions, but I think they are still in use.
2006-11-15 15:42:36 · answer #6 · answered by Malika 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Cool.
2006-11-15 15:33:50 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
North America (Canada, USA, or Mexico) or one of the many countries of South America?
You'll have to be more specific.
2006-11-15 15:33:29 · answer #8 · answered by kja63 7 · 0⤊ 2⤋
It's the word "OK" I also, think it's world wide!
2006-11-15 15:35:20 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
What's up? (What is up? means "how is it going" or "how are you doing?")
2006-11-15 15:39:15 · answer #10 · answered by chicpower 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋