Slang
Non-verbal and verbal communications are important aspects to be aware of as native speakers address non-native speakers of a culture or vice versa. Newly arrived international students may not be comfortable communicating in an all-English environment, and it is highly likely that Americans will not be able to communicate with you in your native language. As is soon discovered, English taught in non-English speaking countries is quite different from the actual spoken language of the U.S. In addition, Americans may have accents (depending on which part of the U.S. they are from) different from those that international students are accustomed to hearing.
A surprising amount of jargon and slang is part of the spoken English language--and some of these are unintelligible between parts of the U.S. or between Americans of different ages. A teenager from New York City and an elderly man from San Francisco may not fully understand each other, even though they are both speaking English!
Slang is defined as "the nonstandard vocabulary of a given culture or subculture." When you come to the U.S., you join the American culture and a variety of subcultures, such as those of the South, the University, perhaps an athletic team, etc. Each of these groups has a colorful, idiomatic vocabulary that may bear little resemblance to the language you learned in the classroom.
Here are a few expressions you may hear on campus or in Norfolk--this list is in no way complete. (A word of caution: be very careful about slang, as you may offend people with certain terms, and it is difficult at times to determine what is obscene).
Ace: To easily get a grade of "A." "I aced that test."
ATM: An Automatic Teller Machine dispenses cash. You must have a bankcard and a PIN (Personal Identification Number) to use these machines. Most Americans do not carry large amounts of cash with them because ATM's are very easy to access.
Beat: Very tired
Beat around the bush: To be evasive; not to speak openly about something
Big Deal: Sarcastic term to play down or belittle what someone has done.
Biggie: Something that is very important
Blow It: To do badly
Bogus: inferior quality; phoney
Boonies: the countryside, far from the city
Bummer. An unpleasant or depressing experience. "That movie was a bummer."
Burn Out. To be totally exhausted or without enthusiasm. "After exams I was totally burned out."
Bucks. A slang term for dollars. "You can save a few bucks by getting it on sale."
Chill: To spend relasxed time, to "hang out"
Chill Out: to slow down, to relax
Come again? "Please repeat what you just said."
Comps. The comprehensive exams that most graduate students take before receiving their degree. "I can't go out tonight, I need to study for my comps."
Cool: (adj) term denoting approval of something or someone
Couch potato: Person who spends all leisure time watching television
Cram: A frantic effort to learn neglected lessons before a test. "I crammed all last night."
Crash: To sleep or stay temporarily at someone's place; also to go to a party uninvited.
Drag: Same as "bummer."
Drop in, drop by: To visit unexpectedly
Exam: An examination or test. "We've got an exam tomorrow."
Fat Chance: very little chance
Fed up: Sick of; disgusted with or tired of something
Final: The last exam given at the end of the semester. "Are you ready for finals?"
Flunk (or Bomb): To fail a test or subject. "I totally bombed English Composition." "I flunked my test."
Freak, Freak out: to show great emotion, positive or negative
Get With It: to conform with the situation; make the necessary adjustment; also expressed as "to get with the program"
Go Dutch: An expression sometimes used when two or more people go out to a meal, movie, etc. It means that each person will pay a share of the total bill. This is the most common scenario during a casual date or get-together.
Go for it: to take an active part in something, try to achieve some specific goal
Greeks: Members of a social fraternity or sorority. "The Greeks sit together at all the Old Dominion basketball games."
Gross: term denoting something crude and extremely unpleasant
Had it: To reach a limit of tolerance; "I've had it"
Hang around: To wait, doing nothing in particular
Hang in there: "Don't give up", "Keep trying."
Hit the Books. To study. "I can't go tonight, I have to hit the books."
In your dreams: not possible; "It'll never happen."
Jock: An athlete. "They've got three foreign jocks on the soccer team."
Lay off: to stop bothering or nagging
Make ends meet: To budget within one's income
Mid-term: An examination given in the middle of the semester. "I have a mid-term today at eight."
Peeved: irritated; disgusted
Piece of cake: easy
The Pits: Awful; the worst. "The public transportation system is the pits."
Pop Quiz: A short unannounced test. "He gave us a pop quiz on last night's reading assignment."
Psyched: Mentally prepared
Quiz: A short test. "She gives us a quiz every Friday."
Red Tape: Bureaucratic delay and paperwork. "I could have gotten permission to work, but it wasn't worth all the red tape."
Rip Off: To steal or cheat. "His bike was ripped off." Can also mean that something was not worth much (money, time, etc.). "You paid $5 for that? What a rip-off!"
ROTC: Reserve Officers' Training Corps "He got an R-O-T-C scholarship, and will be commissioned when he graduates."
Term Paper: A researched report written for class. "I've got a term paper to write this semester."
Y'all: Contraction for "you all" meaning a group to whom you are speaking. "Are y'all going out this weekend?"
What's Up? "What is new?" "What is happening?" Often used as a greeting in very informal settings
