When you’re learning English, you also have to learn some idioms and other colloquial language along the way that are common among native speakers. These are usually common, well-established words and phrases, such as “errands to run.” However, there are also forms of slang that cycle in and out of circulation so quickly that it’s …
English
Expressions in English often seen arbitrary, if not nonsensical. What is a hot minute, for instance? And how on earth can you stare into the abyss? Sometimes, though, English expressions actually do make sense. For an example, let’s explore the meaning of the phrase “hitched breath.” What is the meaning of the expression “hitched …
The internet has changed the way we communicate with each other and the way that words and ideas spread. It’s given us countless memes and words like cheugy. One of the most popular topics for conversation on the internet is pop culture: the TV shows, movies, games, comics and books that everyone is reading and …
Many expressions in English are metaphorical in nature. Some of these expressions, such as close to the chest vs. close to the vest, are easy to understand. However, many seem strange at first glance. Metaphorical expressions like turn the other cheek are ancient, but some sayings are much newer despite how popular they’ve become in …
Learning new idioms is one of those aspects of language learning that never really stops. In fact, it’s not uncommon to encounter unfamiliar idioms or new pieces of slang not just in a language that you’re learning but in your native language. Some idioms in English seem very puzzling, like “cats in the cradle.” Others …
English literature has a long history, with plenty of expressions that have worked their way into normal English. This is especially true for stories that started as folklore and fairy tales. These traditional stories give us phrases like “once upon a time,” “happily ever after,” and “fee fi fo fum.” “Fee fi fo fum?” you …
Not everyone is interested in how languages work. But, whether we like it or not, the creative and playful nature of language does tickle the curiosity of its users every once in a while. Native speakers seldom get bothered by linguistic subtleties; however, the non-natives often want to go an extra mile deeper for the …
Words with related or entirely similar meanings but different spellings often cause confusion, sometimes bickering, between and among language users. Native speakers do not always agree on these language-related issues, which then causes further concerns among the non-natives. One good example of this is the trouble between the words “wholistic” and “holistic,” which also seems …
Remembering abbreviations is naturally difficult especially when the expressions involved are particularly used within specific language communities. But, in fact, there are a lot of abbreviations out there that you must already be familiar with, just like some internet slang terms such as “TBH,” “SMH,” and “TGIF.” While this is the case, many other abbreviated …