Discovering unique and amazing words in a language could help you learn more about the culture of the people that speak it. Here are a few interesting and fun English words you will encounter in the U.S as shared by Hello Hello, the leading App developer of the English language learning iPhone app.
Eating together for a potluck
A potluck is a sort of gathering where each guest brings a dish to share. The word “potluck” hails from the “luck of the pot,” meaning one never knows what they are going to get! The first known use of this word was during Shakespeare’s era, when it meant “a meal having no planned menu,” like one you may offer to an unexpected guest with whatever ingredients one happens to have on hand. Later, it took on the modern meaning of “a communal meal.”
Potlucks are particularly common in the U.S. for large gatherings of family and friends, since they can be simpler on the host—they do not have to prepare all the food for the party. But potlucks might turn out good or ugly depending on what people bring!
Celebrating a new space with a housewarming
In the U.S. and other countries, it is common for new homeowners to host a housewarming party. It is an opportunity to allow friends and family to come to see your new house and celebrate together. And they bring gifts. In the past, when homes were heated by fireplaces, guests would mostly bring firewood as a housewarming gift. The entire fireplace would be lit, and the house would actually, be “warmed.”
Presently, the gifts are a little different—you may give someone a plant, candle, or bottle of wine—but the spirit of the party stays the same: Your friends and family come to metaphorically “warm up” the house and make it feel more such as a home!
Getting in the spirit by tailgating
Tailgating is the work of gathering socially to eat and drink before watching a sports game (generally, American football). “Tailgating” hails from the word “tailgate,” the part of a pick-up truck that folds down and could be lowered or removed when loading or unloading the vehicle. This is because while tailgating, people generally, load food and drinks into their cars to enjoy with friends and family in the parking arena before the game.
But you do not have to own a pick-up truck to go tailgating! Several people simply pack folding chairs and tables into their car and set up a picnic in the parking arena to enjoy before the game.
Embracing a challenge with a fixer-upper
A fixer-upper is a house that you can purchase at a relatively pretty low price because it needs plenty of repairs. You will need to “fix it up” once you buy it. It is a good choice for buyers who do not have a lot of money but are up for a challenge, or for buyers who wish to make improvements and then sell the house at a profit. At times, the term “fixer-upper” is used to refer to other things too, like cars or even people!
When “-er” is added to verbs, it generally, indicates an individual or thing that does an action – for instance, a teacher is a person who teaches. But “-er” can also refer to a person or thing that the action is done to. For instance, a “keeper” is a person or something worth keeping. The “er” suffix in “fixer-upper” works in this manner: It is a house that requires to be fixed up. The doubling of “er” in “fixer-upper” does not have any special meaning—it simply makes the word rhyme!
Enjoying the outdoors with a s’more
S’mores are a classic snack to have while camping in the U.S. and Canada. These consist of a roasted marshmallow and a piece of chocolate in between two graham crackers—thin, sweet crackers mostly flavoured with cinnamon or honey. “S’more” is a contraction of “some more,” as one says in “please give me some more of that!”
It has been quite a popular treat in North America for nearly a century and a common sight around campfires. If you do not want to bother with building a fire outside, you can always roast your marshmallows using an oven or microwave!
Unique words connect language and culture!
Apart from learning grammar and basic vocabulary, digging deep into the culture will make you a more well-rounded speaker and let you connect with people on a deeper level. These unique English words may be difficult to translate into other languages straight away, but they present a fascinating glimpse into U.S. culture—and learners in Hello Hello’s English courses for Spanish and Portuguese speakers can find out for these words in their courses!
Learn English (Hello-Hello)
Learn English (Hello-Hello) is a full-fledged language course with 30 LESSONS developed in collaboration with the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL), so you can be assured that these lessons follow an effective research-based methodology. All lessons are conversational and based on realistic dialogues and situations, rather than a collection of out-of-context words and phrases. iTunes store link of Learn English (Hello-Hello)