American slang, or How not to get into an embarrassing situation with foreigners?

In the modern world, when you meet a foreigner, it can be very difficult if you do not know American slang with a translation. Such words have long been integrated into our daily lives and can not be avoided without them. Especially in countries such as America. How can you not get into an uncomfortable situation, even if you know English? Let's figure it out.

What is slang?

Do not confuse slang with swear words. Basically, these are ordinary words that are used in an unusual meaning. In the Russian language, there are also such. Moreover, American slang also includes so-called idioms, small phrases that are never taken literally. In this article you can get acquainted with some examples of such phrases.

Do not forget that American English slang can include classical British words.

How do you feel at your party?

Of course, although the older generation also often uses American slang, still young people use it much more. The following words you will surely be able to hear at one of the parties:

Hang out - the Russian equivalent of "hang", that is, just to walk at some party or usual meeting.

Pig out - eat up to the heap, because often we do this at such events, right?

Hyped (adj.) - a state of great excitement or excitement.

Bail - abruptly leave, that is, if someone suddenly decided to leave the party.

Lighten up - "cheer up!", No one likes to see sour faces when everyone is having fun. You came to a party, right?

Give a ring - "call." Someone did not come to the party, even though he had to? So, he definitely needs to call!

Cram - desperately preparing for the exam, usually after neglecting the entire semester. Suitable if you want to explain why someone could not come.

Crash - in the case of a party, it means that someone broke in without an invitation. It can also mean suddenly "turn off" into a dream.

Knock - negatively respond, and even do water someone with dirt.

Trash - used as a verb and means "turn something into rubbish", that is, "break / destroy / spoil".

The cold shoulder is used to describe a situation where one person ignores the other.

Couch Potato - can refer to those who did not come to the party, because they prefer to lie on the couch.

Drive up the wall - bring someone to the brink, that is, irritate.

For real - can be used as a statement, and as a question. "Really? / Seriously?"

Sweet - in slang version has nothing to do with sweets, it can be translated as "chic" or "class". The party was a success? You can use this word when describing it!

Expression of joy

Happiness is one of the basic emotions of a person, therefore for its display there is a lot of idiom in the English language. Here are the most basic of them. Here is a translation for understanding the meaning of the phrase. True, usually American slang is replaced by either one word or an appropriate phrase, which may be quite different, but it reflects the meaning completely.

On the cloud nine - we usually say "to be in the seventh heaven," and Americans are more comfortable on the ninth.

Like a dog with two tails - like a dog with two tails. After all, the doggies vigorously wag their tails during joy!

Fool's paradise - if you translate directly "paradise of a fool", then little will be clear. This expression describes a state of joy that can not last long, because this happiness is caused by some illusion and false hope.

Full of the joys of spring - if you are full of the pleasures of spring, then of course, you are happy, full of enthusiasm and energy.

Grin from ear to ear - the equivalent of our expression "smile to the ears." That is, someone is very pleased with something.

Grin like a Cheshire cat - yet watching Alice in Wonderland or a new Alice in the Looking Glass? Did you see the smile of a Cheshire cat? This is exactly the expression that describes this phrase.

Happy camper - "happy tourist", that is, a person who is satisfied with everything at this stage of his life. There's nothing to complain about.

Happy as a flea in a doghouse - of course, the "flea in the doghouse" feels extremely happy. Therefore, if someone lives in abundance and full of joy, then use this expression.

Happy-go-lucky - if you translate this phrase into Russian as it is, then it will be completely meaningless. But this phrase describes a person who is cheerful and carefree.

Jump for joy - another word combination, for which in Russian there is the exact equivalent of "jumping from happiness."

Expression of sadness

Sadness is also one of the main emotions, without which we would not know the joy. American slang with a sad meaning includes the following phrases:

Cry one's eyes out - if someone "smacks eyes", then this person is crying for a very long time.

Down in the dumps - do you feel like sitting "at the bottom of the dump"? Of course, you are not there fun, but very bad.

Down in the mouth - if "the corners of the mouth have been omitted" and you look like a sad smiley, then for sure in your life everything is not going smoothly.

Face like a wet weekend - when you are sad and lonely, your "face looks like a rainy weekend."

Your heart sinks - and although translated roughly as one of the phraseological units in Russian, in fact, in English, "the heart sinks" when you are sad.

Conclusions and advice

It is difficult to fit all American slang in one article. Phrases can be completely equivalent to ours. Each not to mention here, but you can remember a few basic rules. If we are talking about idioms, then they basically need to look in a special dictionary. Just remember that, like in Russian, English also has phrases that should not be taken literally. It is not necessary to know all American slang, you just need to understand the essence of the sentence, where it is used, then the expressions themselves will be clear to you.