FujikoMine

In the US, the words "swearing" and "cursing" are used interchangeably meaning the same thing...using "naughty" language ("I swear" is a phrase that means, "I really mean it". To curse out someone means to use profane words towards them ("I cursed my cheating fiance out when I found another woman's underwear at his house). An American comedian name George Carlin famously told a joke as part of his standup routine about the "7 words you can never say on TV". Although it's a few decades old, it pretty much still holds true in the US, with exception of like 2 words...you'll never hear them on non-cable/broadcast TV. That being said, profanity (words and gestures both) is relative to where you are in the world. Something as innocent as holding up a single finger to indicate the number 1 to someone can mean a whole lot more in other parts of the world, even the finger you use matters. Another example, in the US, cunt is a pretty offensive and abrasive word. In the UK and Australia it's not as strong of a word.

I like to use Duolinguo more as a practice or review tool. I rather learn using an alternate program or website, like Livemocha and Rosetta Stone. Then, during downtime I can easily use the app as reinforcement in a fun way. Duolinguo makes it fun but I certainly wouldn't rely on it as the only means of learning unless I had a last minute trip and needed some words and phrases to get by with for a few days.

Hi everyone! I'm very excited to have come across this forum. I've always had a knack for learning languages but have often found myself bored doing programs at home alone. The trick for me is to have people to practice with, such as in a classroom or native speakers. Now that I've joined Linguaholics, I have a place to practice in a fun manner with other people. I look forward to learning from all of you, thanks for having me!

In the US, a lemon refers to a car that you've purchased that turns out to be defective. Occasionally you'll see any defective item referred to as a lemon. "Life is like a bowl of cherries" is a phrased lifted from a song. It means life is great (or peachy, another fruit idiom). An apple a day keeps the doctor away means a healthy diet (such as one that includes fresh fruits like apples) keeps you from getting sick and needing to see the doctor. As American as apple pie is a funny one in my opinion. It means to be typically American but doesn't apple pie have it's origins in Europe, like French galettes. I guess that is the American way, we took a little bit of all cultures and made them part of our lives. I forgot about "how do you like those apples", which means "how do you like THAT!"...it's a sassy reply, not one that a child should give an adult.