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General Category => Off the Record => Topic started by: mongers on June 14, 2011, 05:15:09 PM

Title: American Expressions That Still Confuse You After All These Inane Years Here ?
Post by: mongers on June 14, 2011, 05:15:09 PM
What actually is a 'keeper' ?

I thought it's a woman* whom you in retrospect realise was the near perfect partner, but you, for whatever reason let get away. Or a wife/partner of someone else whom you recognise as a good catch for them, a women they'd be daft to let go of.
I sort of assume you can't actually be dating or married to 'The Keeper' or at least you are, but you don't recognise it.

Can there only ever have been one keeper in a man's life or are they even rarer ?

So how far off am I on this expression ?

And what other American expressions confuse you ?





* I'm guessing women use the same expression about men.
Title: Re: American Expressions That Still Confuse You After All These Inane Years Here ?
Post by: Slargos on June 14, 2011, 05:28:52 PM
A keeper is a thing or more commonly a person which you need to, unsurprisingly, keep.

An object of high value that you shouldn't let go unless you absolutely have to.  :hmm:
Title: Re: American Expressions That Still Confuse You After All These Inane Years Here ?
Post by: Jacob on June 14, 2011, 05:38:31 PM
It's also a small cup shaped rubber device touted to be a reusable environmentally friendly alternative to the tampon.

(https://languish.org/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.mooncupsandkeepers.com%2Fnewestcup3.jpg&hash=48f00b969483b23bb027b63bc7a5d1a51f5e4b12)
Title: Re: American Expressions That Still Confuse You After All These Inane Years Here ?
Post by: Barrister on June 14, 2011, 05:39:19 PM
Quote from: mongers on June 14, 2011, 05:15:09 PM
What actually is a 'keeper' ?

I thought it's a woman* whom you in retrospect realise was the near perfect partner, but you, for whatever reason let get away. Or a wife/partner of someone else whom you recognise as a good catch for them, a women they'd be daft to let go of.
I sort of assume you can't actually be dating or married to 'The Keeper' or at least you are, but you don't recognise it.

Can there only ever have been one keeper in a man's life or are they even rarer ?

So how far off am I on this expression ?

And what other American expressions confuse you ?





* I'm guessing women use the same expression about men.

You've basically got it, except it doesn't have to be in retrospect.  My wife is a keeper, and I was smart enough to recognize it. :thumbsup:
Title: Re: American Expressions That Still Confuse You After All These Inane Years Here ?
Post by: Caliga on June 14, 2011, 05:40:33 PM
:yes:
Title: Re: American Expressions That Still Confuse You After All These Inane Years Here ?
Post by: Razgovory on June 14, 2011, 05:50:24 PM
A "keeper" is a fish.  Specifically a fish that is worth taking home and cooking.  By extension it means anything that is worth keeping, especially a mate.  In the US the dating process is often compared to fishing.  Similar expressions "She's a good Catch!", and "there's plenty of fish in the sea".
Title: Re: American Expressions That Still Confuse You After All These Inane Years Here ?
Post by: Josquius on June 14, 2011, 05:55:43 PM
A keeper isn't American is it? I've heard that in Britain.

The American expression that really gets me is "I'd hit it". Only ever heard it on languish and to a lesser extent elsewhere on the net. Its like...you'd hit a woman? What? I get that it means "I'd do it" but it just sounds odd.
Title: Re: American Expressions That Still Confuse You After All These Inane Years Here ?
Post by: garbon on June 14, 2011, 06:07:59 PM
not my brother's
Title: Re: American Expressions That Still Confuse You After All These Inane Years Here ?
Post by: garbon on June 14, 2011, 06:08:35 PM
Quote from: Tyr on June 14, 2011, 05:55:43 PM
The American expression that really gets me is "I'd hit it". Only ever heard it on languish and to a lesser extent elsewhere on the net. Its like...you'd hit a woman? What? I get that it means "I'd do it" but it just sounds odd.

What do you think it is like when you are slamming into someone? :unsure:
Title: Re: American Expressions That Still Confuse You After All These Inane Years Here ?
Post by: Habbaku on June 14, 2011, 06:37:33 PM
Quote from: garbon on June 14, 2011, 06:07:59 PM
not my brother's

He ain't heavy.
Title: Re: American Expressions That Still Confuse You After All These Inane Years Here ?
Post by: The Brain on June 14, 2011, 06:39:23 PM
It's "kipper". And they are indeed keepers. :mmm:
Title: Re: American Expressions That Still Confuse You After All These Inane Years Here ?
Post by: garbon on June 14, 2011, 06:43:21 PM
Quote from: Habbaku on June 14, 2011, 06:37:33 PM
Quote from: garbon on June 14, 2011, 06:07:59 PM
not my brother's

He ain't heavy.

She ain't heavy. :cool:

(https://languish.org/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.vanessa.realdoll.dreamhosters.com%2Fdark_angel_jessica_alba%2Fnew%2Fseason_02%2Fback_Max_season_02_galleries.jpg&hash=5c187b80c0fd77e2a222a04be4e6ae99d64d47c9)
Title: Re: American Expressions That Still Confuse You After All These Inane Years Here ?
Post by: Slargos on June 14, 2011, 06:50:28 PM
Jive turkey.

What's up with that?


Title: Re: American Expressions That Still Confuse You After All These Inane Years Here ?
Post by: garbon on June 14, 2011, 07:05:54 PM
Quote from: Slargos on June 14, 2011, 06:50:28 PM
Jive turkey.

What's up with that?

My mother used to say that to me all the time. -_-
Title: Re: American Expressions That Still Confuse You After All These Inane Years Here ?
Post by: Monoriu on June 14, 2011, 07:23:01 PM
I can't think of any at this moment, but I am sure there are too many for me to list.  Recently I was quite surprised to learn that "biking" (what happened to cycling anyway?) can mean both cycling and motorcycling. 
Title: Re: American Expressions That Still Confuse You After All These Inane Years Here ?
Post by: Ed Anger on June 14, 2011, 07:49:09 PM
Quote from: Slargos on June 14, 2011, 06:50:28 PM
Jive turkey.

What's up with that?

http://www.funnyordie.com/videos/52051ec56f/airplane-oh-stewardess-i-speak-jive-from-dirttron
Title: Re: American Expressions That Still Confuse You After All These Inane Years Here ?
Post by: jimmy olsen on June 14, 2011, 07:55:15 PM
Quote from: garbon on June 14, 2011, 07:05:54 PM
Quote from: Slargos on June 14, 2011, 06:50:28 PM
Jive turkey.

What's up with that?

My mother used to say that to me all the time. -_-
:lol: No she didn't!
Title: Re: American Expressions That Still Confuse You After All These Inane Years Here ?
Post by: garbon on June 14, 2011, 08:28:56 PM
Quote from: jimmy olsen on June 14, 2011, 07:55:15 PM
Quote from: garbon on June 14, 2011, 07:05:54 PM
Quote from: Slargos on June 14, 2011, 06:50:28 PM
Jive turkey.

What's up with that?

My mother used to say that to me all the time. -_-
:lol: No she didn't!

I'd like to think I know my mother better than you, but okay. :mellow:
Title: Re: American Expressions That Still Confuse You After All These Inane Years Here ?
Post by: Scipio on June 14, 2011, 08:30:01 PM
Quote from: jimmy olsen on June 14, 2011, 07:55:15 PM
Quote from: garbon on June 14, 2011, 07:05:54 PM
Quote from: Slargos on June 14, 2011, 06:50:28 PM
Jive turkey.

What's up with that?

My mother used to say that to me all the time. -_-
:lol: No she didn't!
I believe that you mean "Nah she di-int!"
Title: Re: American Expressions That Still Confuse You After All These Inane Years Here ?
Post by: Monoriu on June 14, 2011, 09:10:47 PM
I was at a McDonald's in Vancouver, when the clerk asked me what to drink. 

Me: Cocacola, please.

Cashier: :blink:

Me: Co.  Ca.  Co.  La. 

Cashier: :blink: :blink: :blink:

Me: *pointed finger at logo*

Cashier: Oh. Coke.
Title: Re: American Expressions That Still Confuse You After All These Inane Years Here ?
Post by: garbon on June 14, 2011, 09:18:04 PM
Quote from: Monoriu on June 14, 2011, 09:10:47 PM
I was at a McDonald's in Vancouver, when the clerk asked me what to drink. 

Me: Cocacola, please.

Cashier: :blink:

Me: Co.  Ca.  Co.  La. 

Cashier: :blink: :blink: :blink:

Me: *pointed finger at logo*

Cashier: Oh. Coke.

Not sure what this anecdote is supposed to relate. :P
Title: Re: American Expressions That Still Confuse You After All These Inane Years Here ?
Post by: HisMajestyBOB on June 14, 2011, 10:30:21 PM
Quote from: garbon on June 14, 2011, 09:18:04 PM
Quote from: Monoriu on June 14, 2011, 09:10:47 PM
I was at a McDonald's in Vancouver, when the clerk asked me what to drink. 

Me: Cocacola, please.

Cashier: :blink:

Me: Co.  Ca.  Co.  La. 

Cashier: :blink: :blink: :blink:

Me: *pointed finger at logo*

Cashier: Oh. Coke.

Not sure what this anecdote is supposed to relate. :P

Canadians are just a bit slow, eh?  ;)
Title: Re: American Expressions That Still Confuse You After All These Inane Years Here ?
Post by: Monoriu on June 15, 2011, 01:35:14 AM
Day after tomorrow. 

Ok I understand it pretty much means post-apocalypse.  But I just don't get it.  What does day after tomorrow have anything to do with post-apocalypse? 
Title: Re: American Expressions That Still Confuse You After All These Inane Years Here ?
Post by: Eddie Teach on June 15, 2011, 01:53:30 AM
Quote from: Tyr on June 14, 2011, 05:55:43 PM
The American expression that really gets me is "I'd hit it". Only ever heard it on languish and to a lesser extent elsewhere on the net.

Same.

Title: Re: American Expressions That Still Confuse You After All These Inane Years Here ?
Post by: dps on June 15, 2011, 03:10:12 AM
Quote from: Monoriu on June 15, 2011, 01:35:14 AM
Day after tomorrow. 

Ok I understand it pretty much means post-apocalypse.  But I just don't get it.  What does day after tomorrow have anything to do with post-apocalypse? 

It was a title of a movie about the aftermath of a nuclear war.

Though I've never heard the term used much in that sense outside of dicsussions of the movie (or comparing other movies to it).  Ususally, if someone says "day after tomorrow" they just mean two days from now.
Title: Re: American Expressions That Still Confuse You After All These Inane Years Here ?
Post by: Josquius on June 15, 2011, 03:17:13 AM
Quote from: garbon on June 14, 2011, 06:08:35 PM
Quote from: Tyr on June 14, 2011, 05:55:43 PM
The American expression that really gets me is "I'd hit it". Only ever heard it on languish and to a lesser extent elsewhere on the net. Its like...you'd hit a woman? What? I get that it means "I'd do it" but it just sounds odd.

What do you think it is like when you are slamming into someone? :unsure:
"I'd hit it" sounds like its using the striking definition of hit rather than the two objects hitting each other definition.
Title: Re: American Expressions That Still Confuse You After All These Inane Years Here ?
Post by: Admiral Yi on June 15, 2011, 07:10:56 AM
Quote from: dps on June 15, 2011, 03:10:12 AM
It was a title of a movie about the aftermath of a nuclear war.

Though I've never heard the term used much in that sense outside of dicsussions of the movie (or comparing other movies to it).  Ususally, if someone says "day after tomorrow" they just mean two days from now.

IIRC the movie was The Day After.
Title: Re: American Expressions That Still Confuse You After All These Inane Years Here ?
Post by: The Brain on June 15, 2011, 07:19:05 AM
Yeah The Day After Tomorrow was climate change.
Title: Re: American Expressions That Still Confuse You After All These Inane Years Here ?
Post by: Zeus on June 15, 2011, 08:09:04 AM
Quote from: Barrister on June 14, 2011, 05:39:19 PM
You've basically got it, except it doesn't have to be in retrospect.  My wife is a keeper, and I was smart enough to recognize it. :thumbsup:

Someone wants to get laid   :rolleyes:
Title: Re: American Expressions That Still Confuse You After All These Inane Years Here ?
Post by: mongers on June 17, 2011, 05:50:56 AM
I'm still not clear about all the expressions regarding kool-aid.
Title: Re: American Expressions That Still Confuse You After All These Inane Years Here ?
Post by: Grey Fox on June 17, 2011, 05:56:47 AM
Quote from: mongers on June 17, 2011, 05:50:56 AM
I'm still not clear about all the expressions regarding kool-aid.

You know what Kool-Aid is right?
Title: Re: American Expressions That Still Confuse You After All These Inane Years Here ?
Post by: Grey Fox on June 17, 2011, 06:04:25 AM
Quote from: mongers on June 17, 2011, 06:00:45 AM
its the stuff in big bins a US rugby games ?

No, that's Gatorade.


Kool-Aid is powdered mix that is artificial flavor that you mix with Water. The mascot is a giant pitcher of it call the Kool Aid man.

The expression drinking the kool-aid, apparently comes from the Jonestown massacre where a sect & it's followers committed mass suicide by drinking Kool-Aid lace with cyanide.
Title: Re: American Expressions That Still Confuse You After All These Inane Years Here ?
Post by: Viking on June 17, 2011, 06:06:56 AM
Quote from: mongers on June 17, 2011, 06:00:45 AM
its the stuff in big bins a US rugby games ?

I blame the cheater Heisman for ending the Purity of Rugby in the US. Only pussies use the forward pass.
Title: Re: American Expressions That Still Confuse You After All These Inane Years Here ?
Post by: Admiral Yi on June 17, 2011, 06:45:02 AM
Quote from: Grey Fox on June 17, 2011, 06:04:25 AM
The expression drinking the kool-aid, apparently comes from the Jonestown massacre where a sect & it's followers committed mass suicide by drinking Kool-Aid lace with cyanide.

Look at the big brain on Brown Wolf.
Title: Re: American Expressions That Still Confuse You After All These Inane Years Here ?
Post by: Grey Fox on June 17, 2011, 06:50:03 AM
Quote from: Admiral Yi on June 17, 2011, 06:45:02 AM
Quote from: Grey Fox on June 17, 2011, 06:04:25 AM
The expression drinking the kool-aid, apparently comes from the Jonestown massacre where a sect & it's followers committed mass suicide by drinking Kool-Aid lace with cyanide.

Look at the big brain on Brown Wolf.

No credit is deserve, I googled it. There's even a wikipedia page about it.
Title: Re: American Expressions That Still Confuse You After All These Inane Years Here ?
Post by: garbon on June 17, 2011, 06:53:32 AM
Quote from: Grey Fox on June 17, 2011, 06:50:03 AM
Quote from: Admiral Yi on June 17, 2011, 06:45:02 AM
Quote from: Grey Fox on June 17, 2011, 06:04:25 AM
The expression drinking the kool-aid, apparently comes from the Jonestown massacre where a sect & it's followers committed mass suicide by drinking Kool-Aid lace with cyanide.

Look at the big brain on Brown Wolf.

No credit is deserve, I googled it. There's even a wikipedia page about it.

Disappointing. -_-
Title: Re: American Expressions That Still Confuse You After All These Inane Years Here ?
Post by: Barrister on June 17, 2011, 09:11:40 AM
Quote from: Viking on June 17, 2011, 06:06:56 AM
Quote from: mongers on June 17, 2011, 06:00:45 AM
its the stuff in big bins a US rugby games ?

I blame the cheater Heisman for ending the Purity of Rugby in the US. Only pussies use the forward pass.

:rolleyes:

The forward pass was the greatest invention of the 20th century.

Not the airplane, or the silicon chip.  The forward pass.   :cool:
Title: Re: American Expressions That Still Confuse You After All These Inane Years Here ?
Post by: Razgovory on June 17, 2011, 03:25:52 PM
Quote from: Grey Fox on June 17, 2011, 06:50:03 AM
Quote from: Admiral Yi on June 17, 2011, 06:45:02 AM
Quote from: Grey Fox on June 17, 2011, 06:04:25 AM
The expression drinking the kool-aid, apparently comes from the Jonestown massacre where a sect & it's followers committed mass suicide by drinking Kool-Aid lace with cyanide.

Look at the big brain on Brown Wolf.

No credit is deserve, I googled it. There's even a wikipedia page about it.

It's widely remember in the US.  The phrase is fairly recent though.  I only encountered it on the net in the 2000's.  Possibly it could have been in places that aren't Missouri before that.
Title: Re: American Expressions That Still Confuse You After All These Inane Years Here ?
Post by: MadImmortalMan on June 17, 2011, 03:30:14 PM
Quote from: Barrister on June 17, 2011, 09:11:40 AM
:rolleyes:

The forward pass was the greatest invention of the 20th century.

Not the airplane, or the silicon chip.  The forward pass.   :cool:

Heathen.
Title: Re: American Expressions That Still Confuse You After All These Inane Years Here ?
Post by: Monoriu on June 21, 2011, 04:52:54 AM
I still don't quite understand "white trash."
Title: Re: American Expressions That Still Confuse You After All These Inane Years Here ?
Post by: Admiral Yi on June 21, 2011, 04:58:33 AM
Quote from: Monoriu on June 21, 2011, 04:52:54 AM
I still don't quite understand "white trash."

What is there to understand?  Lower class white people, with strong implications of tackiness, violence, criminality, drug and alcohol abuse, really bad hair, incest, portable living quarters, etc., etc.  More associated with the South and rural areas.
Title: Re: American Expressions That Still Confuse You After All These Inane Years Here ?
Post by: Monoriu on June 21, 2011, 05:07:50 AM
Quote from: Admiral Yi on June 21, 2011, 04:58:33 AM
Quote from: Monoriu on June 21, 2011, 04:52:54 AM
I still don't quite understand "white trash."

What is there to understand?  Lower class white people, with strong implications of tackiness, violence, criminality, drug and alcohol abuse, really bad hair, incest, portable living quarters, etc., etc.  More associated with the South and rural areas.

All the things that you described can easily apply to non-whites.  So why "white" trash?

And, are things really that bad?  I mean, there must be quite a large number of relatively poor whites.  It is a bit hard to believe that they all participate in incest  :unsure: 
Title: Re: American Expressions That Still Confuse You After All These Inane Years Here ?
Post by: Admiral Yi on June 21, 2011, 05:14:14 AM
Quote from: Monoriu on June 21, 2011, 05:07:50 AM
All the things that you described can easily apply to non-whites.  So why "white" trash?

The short answer I think is that the term originated in the Deep South, where it was already understood that blacks were trashy.

QuoteAnd, are things really that bad?  I mean, there must be quite a large number of relatively poor whites.  It is a bit hard to believe that they all participate in incest  :unsure:

It's a continuum of trashiness Mono.  You could, for example, hit one or two of the bases and qualify for a white trash yellow belt.
Title: Re: American Expressions That Still Confuse You After All These Inane Years Here ?
Post by: Ed Anger on June 21, 2011, 07:26:40 AM
Also you have the hilljack, cousin the the white trash hillbilly.
Title: Re: American Expressions That Still Confuse You After All These Inane Years Here ?
Post by: Caliga on June 21, 2011, 07:44:25 AM
Quote from: Monoriu on June 21, 2011, 05:07:50 AM
And, are things really that bad?  I mean, there must be quite a large number of relatively poor whites.  It is a bit hard to believe that they all participate in incest  :unsure:
That's mostly an unjustified stereotype.  Inbreeding is extremely rare, and also extremely illegal.  Even cousin marriage is illegal in many US states.
Title: Re: American Expressions That Still Confuse You After All These Inane Years Here ?
Post by: The Brain on June 21, 2011, 11:01:08 AM
Extremely illegal, Cal? Is that like being extremely pregnant?
Title: Re: American Expressions That Still Confuse You After All These Inane Years Here ?
Post by: Eddie Teach on June 21, 2011, 11:25:56 AM
A woman at 3 months is pregnant. A woman at 8 months is extremely pregnant.
Title: Re: American Expressions That Still Confuse You After All These Inane Years Here ?
Post by: 11B4V on June 22, 2011, 10:47:28 AM
Quote25 with an izzl, with nowhere to gizzo
Title: Re: American Expressions That Still Confuse You After All These Inane Years Here ?
Post by: grumbler on June 22, 2011, 01:02:14 PM
Quoteklaatu barada nicto