Vernacular Expressions

Nice to see you: This is a formal greeting to someone you have already met.

So glad you could make it: This is a polite expression that you say to someone who has appeared at a gathering or party.

real life: A common phrase that refers to "realistic" issues and concerns. You might watch a movie and say, "In real life, that would never happen."

fair and equitable: This refers to the treatment of someone, or it refers to the value of something. "Although women have historically been treated badly, the law now tries to give women fair and equitable treatment."

Bosh, flimshaw: Both terms are old expressions that meant, "nonsense" or "ridiculous."

walling up: If you "wall up" someone, you build a wall around him while he is still alive. He will die inside the wall.

dental plan: In some countries, teeth are separate from other medical concerns. In America, we have Health Insurance AND Dental insurance. A dental plan is one's dental insurance program.

"Painless": This is a common expression used for dentists. People in America are afraid of dentists and the pain caused by work on one's teeth. Many dentists try to gain customers by promising to be "painless." Technically "painless" means "without pain."

House of lies: An idea that is formed by a lot of different lies. "Our relationship is a house of lies."

"That's enough!": This means your patience has run out (you are annoyed) or that someone is hurting you. "That's enough! The foot rub hurts too much!" "That's enough! Stop talking!"

strike: A strike is when a group of workers stop working because they feel they are treated badly at work. The idea is that the employers will meet with the workers and give them better treatment (more money, a dental plan, etc.)

equitable: Again, equal. "The punishment should be equitable with the crime." "Equity" means "value."

management: The management is the group of people that makes sure the regular workers are efficient, are given a certain amount of hours, etc. If you work at McDonald's, for example, the management assigns your work hours and makes sure that you are doing your job correctly.

"[He'll] turn up soon.": If a person is missing, you might show that you hope to see that person again by saying something like, "He'll probably turn up soon." I might say that about a student who isn't in class.

keg: A keg is a large container of beer that people have at large parties or at bars.

"So long": Good-bye.

fair shake: Again, this means that one is being treated in an acceptable way. "I work hard; I graduated from college. I deserve a fair shake in the business world."

Stainless steel: This is a type of metal that does not stain or rust.

"If you scratch my back, I'll scratch yours.": If you do something for me, then I will do something for you.

"Slip something into your pocket.": Give you a bribe.

"strange bedfellows": Friends or lovers who are very different. "Politics make strange bedfellows": It's common for different kinds of people to spend time together in politics.

"Let's get down to business": Let us do or talk about something important.

"You've won this round": You beat me in an argument or competition. If a student beats me in arm wrestling, I might say, "You've won this round, but I will win the next time."

"share it with the world": Show everyone what skills you have. "You are a great singer. Share it with the world by singing in the choir."

"fold like umbrellas": This is a simile that means, "Give up". "The baseball team has talent, but it they are intimidated by another team, they will fold like umbrellas."

bust heads: This means to beat people up, or it means to be tough. "He is going to bust heads in the next soccer game." "The test is in two weeks. It's time to bust heads and work hard."

"The style at the time": This means the thing that was popular. It usually refers to clothing or behavior. "In the early 2000s, it was the style at the time to say, ''Sup' to your friends." "White pants were the style at the time."

Lumbering dinosaur: This is something that is very old and awkward. "I need a new computer. Mine is a lumbering dinosaur."

folk music: This is a type of music that sings about problems in society. It is usually performed just with an acoustic guitar and a voice.

protest song: This is a song about something bad that is happening in society. It can be a general problem (e.g. the death penalty), or it can be something specific (e.g. one particular person in jail who is innocent of any crime).