Idioms and Slang Words

Idioms and Slang Words

I have something to confess. In the past, I didn’t pay much attention to idioms or slang. You know those weird words. As a consequent, I often told my students to either pay them no attention or wait until their English is more advanced. In other words, it wouldn’t be too wrong to characterize me as a conservative, or a neo-con, and a little bit narrow-minded person. I used to believe that idioms come second or third, standardized English (if there is any) must come first. With that negative attitude, I ignored them. I didn’t bother to learn them.

Photo Credit: https://leeannemorris2.wordpress.com/

Even worse, I thought those who used idioms abused the language. And those who used them should be punished, canned, or at least condemned.

However, now, I realize that my previous point of view was too radical and narrow, which could be inappropriate or wrong. What factors had made me change my attitude?

First the Collins’ Dictionary of Idioms, second the Bell or your teaching. When I read the dictionary, I discovered that my previous view was actually too narrow. According to Collins’:

Idioms are one of the most interesting and difficult parts of the English dictionary. … They have important roles in spoken language and in writing… People often use Idioms in order to create a sense of ‘camaraderie’ with the people they are speaking to or writing for… As a general rule learners should be careful how they use idioms in formal contexts and in formal writing.

I am now beginning to realize that idioms are an important part of ELT. Idioms can help speakers and writers getting their ideas or opinions across effectively. Further more, they are fun and challenging to learn and to use.

Among those of my favorite idioms are:

Don’t worry. There are plenty more fish in the sea.

It’s time we should wake up and smell the coffee.

In a nut shell

Just around the corner

Also, I have learnt some new words:

A placard (n.) The demonstrators carried placards attacking the government.

A picket line (n.) The pickets persuaded the truck drivers not to enter the factory.

Rationalize (v.) They are rationalizing the organization to make it more efficient.

Redundancy (n.) The closure of the export department led to 200 redundancies.

Nag at (v.) I wish you’d stop nagging at me.

Tow (v.) We towed the car to the nearest station.

A doormat (n.) Don’t be a doormat. Don’t get angry, get even.

A skipper (n.) A captain of a ship or a sports team

To dodge (v.) He avoided (dodge) the falling rock and escaped unhurt.

Seethe with (v.) The country was seething with political unrest.

Pervasive (adj.) The pervasive influence of television is shaping the society.

Exhilarate (v.) The sea air is most exhilarating.

Plead (v.) They wept and pleaded until we promised to do what they wished.

I learnt the above list during the headline matching activity.

The second part of the lesson, half a crossword, was an enjoyable and communicative way of learning new words.

I have learned the following words:

Abolish (v.) To abolish means to stop or to bring to an end by law. King Rama V abolished slavery in Thailand.

Afford (v.) To afford means to have enough money to buy something. Can you afford a new car?

Annoy (v.) It means ‘irritate.’ The noise annoyed me.

Boast (v.) To boast means to talk with unreasonable pride. He always boasts about his rich family.

Cure (v.) To cure means to make an illness go completely away by medical treatment

Dare (v.) All glory comes from daring to begin.

Discover (v.) What have you discovered this week?

Estimate (v.) To calculate roughly The value of the car is estimated at several hundred dollars.

Execute (v.) To execute means to kill as a lawful punishment She was executed for murder.

Gossip Most women like gossiping. (Is this considered ‘sexist’?)

Oversleep (v.) Sorry, I overslept last night.

Overtake (v.) Don’t overtake on a corner.

Suspect (v.) He was found dead in his house, and the police suspect murder.

Bribe (v.) He was charged with attempting to bribe a police officer.

Exaggerate (v.) The witness is exaggerating.

Envy (v.) I envy your ability to work so fast.

I was also asked to answer a few questions concerning the strategies for learning the vocabulary.

Which one(s) to learn?

How to record them?

How will you learn them?

After you have learned them, what will you do next? I think we should learn those words we don’t know their meaning and their use. Well, we should write them down on paper. We should find opportunities to use those words in various contexts and modes: speaking, listening, writing, or reading. The most important point is to interact with others, not just passively memorize them.

However, most Thai learners learn by memorization. Can’t help, I suppose. They don’t have opportunities to use the language. I used to use this strategy myself, and found it to be less effective and boring. I now use it less, and recommend those I know not to use it. Nevertheless, it is popular amongst the beginners and the weaker ones, especially those without ample opportunities to use English.

By the way, have I told you about my four sisters? While I was writing this letter, my younger sister, Mathy, called me. It’s good news. She has finally got a job as an engineer, after spending a few months hunting fiercely for it. Mathy has just graduated with a B.A in mechanical engineering from Khonkaen University, the most famous one in the northeast of Thailand. On the first of November, she will start working in a car factory for a Japanese firm on the eastern seaboard. She will come over tomorrow evening, and I plan to take her out for dinner. Of course as a good brother, we won’t go Dutch. I must pay! I think she is over the moon now. Have you got any brothers or sisters?

On reading

Regarding reading, I guess everyone has his or her own preference. I admit that I seldom read pop novels or pocket books. I am fond of reading classic books, however. It began a few years ago when my friend whose English is very good, Rom, advised me to read serious stuffs like Plato, Emerson, and Thoreau, and etc. He said reading those stuffs would help making me a competent user of English. He said it’s better to learn form those experts whose language is beautiful and whose thoughts are good for mental exercise. Now I am addicted to reading them.

I would like to end this letter with this saying:

Early to bed, early to rise

Make men healthy, wealthy, and wise.

With best regards

Janpha Thadphoothon