Skip to content
Search AI Powered

Latest Stories

These Typical American Phrases Always Leave Foreigners Confused

These Typical American Phrases Always Leave Foreigners Confused
Getty Images

Just when foreigners think they've mastered the English language, they could be in for a rude awakening upon their first time engaging in a conversation with an American. Not all expressions are taught in textbooks or apps on their smartphones.

The English grammar is loaded with inconsistent rules and idioms that can throw off tourists who will understandably interpret every word literally. For example, If you ask them to "shoot the breeze" they may be inclined to admit they don't own any weapons. Fair enough.


The Insider provided examples of idioms along with their meaning. And revisiting them closely confirms the English language is a very strange language indeed.

When a task is easy to undertake, it's "a piece of cake." The phrase is most likely from "The Primrose Path," a1935 poetry collection by American humorist Ogden Nash.

Her picture's in the papers now, and life's a piece of cake.


Shoving a whole cake in your mouth is a piece of cake.

Giphy



When fellow actors tell you "Break a leg," they're actually wishing you good luck, not cursing you to invoke a tibia snap.

The expression is supposedly derived from the German phrase – Hals- und Beinbruch, which translates to "neck and leg break," which is a corruption of a Hebrew blessing meaning "success and blessing."

Once more with feeling...

Giphy

When something is worthless, it's "for the birds." The term was first used as slang during World War II.

Even the remote was for the birds.

Giphy

When a major secret is revealed, "the cat's out of the bag."

The first known use of the term came from a book review published in a 1760 issue of The London Magazine, where the critic wrote:

We could have wished that the author had not let the cat out of the bag.

The word (and cat) is out!

Giphy

Twitter had some contributions to other unusual phrases.






This is a popular term circulating among millennials and it has nothing to do with temperature.




H/T - Flickr, MentalFloss, Twitter

More from Trending

Screenshot of George Santos; Zohran Mamdani
@MrSantosNY/X; Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images

George Santos Announced He's Leaving New York After Mamdani's Win—And The Responses Are Brutal

Disgraced former New York Republican Representative George Santos was widely mocked after he announced he will leave New York City now that Zohran Mamdani has won the mayoral election.

Mamdani has sent shockwaves around the world with his win; an unapologetic democratic socialist, he took on the establishment and won despite months of Islamophobic and racist attacks from the right-wing.

Keep ReadingShow less
Screenshot of man collapsing and Robert F. Kennedy Jr. preparing to walk out
@atrupar/X

RFK Jr. Dragged For Bolting Out Of Oval Office The Moment A Man Collapsed During Press Briefing

Health and Human Services (HHS) Robert F. Kennedy Jr. was criticized after hurrying out of a press briefing in the Oval Office on Thursday after a man had a medical emergency and suddenly collapsed.

Kennedy was on hand alongside President Donald Trump, Dr. Mehmet Oz—the current Administrator for the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services—and health aides for a press briefing announcing lower costs for weight loss drugs.

Keep ReadingShow less

Times People Saw Someone Almost Die Due To Their Own Actions

All actions have consequences, some more negative and severe than others.

But sometimes, someone will do something so extreme or stupid, it could almost cost them their life.

Keep ReadingShow less

Cancer Patients Explain Which Symptoms Ultimately Led Them To See A Doctor

Cancer has taken far too many lives and affected far too many people.

Where is a cure?

Keep ReadingShow less
Close-up shot of the number 30 painted on asphalt.
Photo by Markus Spiske on Unsplash

People Over 30 Share Their Biggest Regrets In Life

Life goes by in a flash.

When we're young, we tend to laugh off that statement.

Keep ReadingShow less