http://www.englishforums.com/search/Colloquialisms.htmSearch results for 'Colloquialisms'en-USXMOD (Build: 3607.32596)http://www.englishforums.com/English/IdiomsAndColloquialisms/wzhnh/post.htm#700589Fri, 24 Apr 2009 09:39:24 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:700589anonymousPersonally I find a very useful method to be to get learners to watch English-language films, news reports, or even YouTube short-form video; get them to jot down words or expressions (more often than not colloquialisms) that they don't understand, and then just Google them. It takes a little time but the explanation, having been researched, tends to stick better. Plus, having seen the expression used on video and in a real-life context seems to help retention.http://www.englishforums.com/English/IdiomsAndColloquialisms/wzhmq/post.htm#695148Tue, 07 Apr 2009 05:05:44 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:695148alpheccastarsI sometimes use this one (there is a preview on line.) http://books.google.com/books?id=9re1vfFh04sChttp://www.englishforums.com/English/IdiomsAndColloquialisms/wzhnh/post.htm#695068Mon, 06 Apr 2009 23:08:37 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:695068kooyeenI suggest just using the dictionary to check the meanings, and picking up idiomatic expressions and vocabulary naturally by reading or listening regularly. I used to look for that kind of ESL material too, until I realized picking up expressions and vocabulary by practicing was much more natural and easy... and it gives the best results. "Speak English like an American" will teach you how to speak like... an American, ok, but what kind of American? Are you sure it'll be the kind of American that is right for you? If you just practice and pick up the language naturally in contexts you are interested in, your English will improve much more naturally, and it'll be likely to be more idiomatic. Good luckhttp://www.englishforums.com/English/IdiomsAndColloquialisms/wzhnh/post.htm#695008Mon, 06 Apr 2009 17:35:55 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:695008junta-104This companion is good !! " Speak English Like American " http://books.google.com/books?id=isE_7kJN9CgC&printsec=frontcover&dq=Speak+english+like+american&ei=dz7aSezpNo3WzAS6qpjDBw&client=firefox-ahttp://www.englishforums.com/English/IdiomsAndColloquialisms/wzhnh/post.htmMon, 06 Apr 2009 16:17:13 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:694984dandoCan any one help me by telling me a good book for English learners to use, when trying to improve their vocabulary to include idioms and colloquilismshttp://www.englishforums.com/English/IdiomsAndColloquialisms/wzhmq/post.htmMon, 06 Apr 2009 16:04:35 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:694976anonymousCan anybody recomend me a good book for english learners to use when trying to expand their vocabulary to include idioms and colloquilismshttp://www.englishforums.com/English/SomeRulesKeepMindUsingQueens-English/hnnjg/post.htmFri, 23 Jan 2009 09:48:31 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:652432rootlesstreeWith tongue firmly in cheek, here are some rules to keep in mind when using the Queen's English: 1. Verbs has to agree with their subjects. 2. Prepositions are not words to end sentences with. 3. And don't start a sentence with a conjunction. 4. It is wrong to ever split an infinitive. 5. Avoid clichés like the plague. (They're old hat). 6. Always avoid annoying alliteration. 7. Be more or less specific. 8. Parenthetical remarks (however relevant) are (usually) unnecessary. 9. Also, too, never, ever use repetitive redundancies. 10. No sentence fragments. No comma splices, run-ons are bad too. 11. Contractions aren't helpful and shouldn't be used. 12. Foreign words and phrases are not apropos. 13. Do not be redundant;...http://www.englishforums.com/English/IBetterIdBetter/hzxbh/post.htm#613365Wed, 17 Dec 2008 19:07:22 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:613365anonymous"I better" has worked its way into today's growing variety of colloquialisms - "I'd better" which, by extension, is "I had better" is, ahem, better English, but both are valid simply because both are understood as the same thing.http://www.englishforums.com/English/HeadAsAVerb/gqggn/post.htm#581590Thu, 30 Oct 2008 00:56:40 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:581590samuraifingersTo my knowledge there is NO difference between them! We use both, and they both mean I'm travelling in this direction. They are what we call colloquialisms. Used in a friendly, casual way! Good luck. msg me, or skype me sometime, if I can be of any more help. Cheers, Nickhttp://www.englishforums.com/English/CouldHave/gmnpc/post.htm#564438Wed, 10 Sep 2008 09:06:27 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:564438cool breezeBut ... as bad as it was, I learned something about myself. That I could go through something like that and survive. I mean, I know it could have been worse --- a lot worse --- but for me, it was all I could have handled at the time. And I learned from it. Yes, and I think "and" instead of "but" is more like it. Also, "all" should be "the least"??? I can't get this part. Anybody, please, enlighten me on this. I agree that and would be a better conjunction but I wouldn't change all to the least. All means pretty much the same as "the most" or "the maximum". The speaker is saying that he wouldn't have been able to handle a bigger burden or a greater task....http://www.englishforums.com/English/ProficiencyAlongsidePoverty/3/vmcnm/Post.htm#395376Sun, 22 Jul 2007 23:02:24 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:395376cool breezeHi Forbes Thank you for your long reply. I do appreciate it. I would just like to say that I my opinion is based on the knowledge I have of the Germanic and Romance languages and it is of course very subjective. I fully understand that not everyone agrees with me and what I consider easy may be difficult for some others as I have already said. However, I have given my honest opinion and I don't think you or anybody else would want me to lie on this forum? I'll add some comments. I thought that might be what you were getting at. I think it is a mistake to equate complexity solely with the degree of inflectional morphology of a language. I agree. I was talking about morphology only. To my mind I made no mistake. I do know what is...http://www.englishforums.com/English/HelpMeWithThisPlease/vkvrl/post.htm#385601Fri, 29 Jun 2007 04:37:48 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:385601cliveHi, Colloquialisms vary by country. I think some British persons might informally say 'It cost 200 pound' . However, I don't think a North American would ever say 'It cost 200 dollar '. He might, however, say 'This is a 200-dollar suit', using the phrase '200-dollar' as an adjective. Perhaps it is this adjectival kind of use that Anthon has heard? Best wishes, Clivehttp://www.englishforums.com/English/CoolBreezeEnglishforums-Team/vrqvc/post.htm#339222Wed, 14 Mar 2007 15:43:10 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:339222cool breezeTanit wrote: Well done! I've always appreciated your posts, and I think you deserve that. Keep it up! Thank you, Tanit! I'll try to do that. I check these forums quite often but I don't always have very much time to write long posts. Besides, the native members have a better knowledge of colloquialisms and modern English in general. Your appreciation encourages me to go on. CBhttp://www.englishforums.com/English/PoeticExpressions/cmlqh/post.htm#229573Sat, 27 May 2006 11:05:36 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:229573damianaThank you so mush. I've found such synonyms for "daydreaming" as "to be lost in reveries" and "to have one's mind wandering". Generally I use Google to make sure if a certain expression exists in English, for the word-for-word translation of Russian idioms, colloquialisms and metaphors of my own can be really tricky: when I come up with something colorful, the English equivalent may appear completely nonsensical. But those quotation resources are a gold-mine indeed. Now, the objective is not to plagiarize =) I’ll try to be creative, thus using what I’ve found as samples and patterns only.http://www.englishforums.com/English/SlangPhraseIdiomStreeTalk-Colloquialism/cgnlk/post.htm#200823Sat, 25 Feb 2006 18:03:54 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:200823cliveHi, Here are a few comments. Slang I nformal speech, often used in a special context or by a special group, eg informal speech by computer progarmmers. Phrase This is just a grammar term, meaning a few connected words, but not in the form of a clause Idiom A common phrase or saying that has some special meaning. If you look at the meaning of each individual word, you will still not understand the meaning of the idiom. Street Talk The way people, particularly uneducated and in poor economic circumstances, speak. Such people's lives are said to be centred 'on the street'. Colloquialism Ways that a lot of people commonly say things. Often, there are other possible ways but we have some ways that most people just seem...http://www.englishforums.com/English/ResponsesTypicalAmerican-Greetings/cvzpj/post.htm#189248Fri, 27 Jan 2006 04:59:50 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:189248tearsofjoyThanks, CJ! For us non-natives who are reasonably fluent with the language, colloquialisms are where we lose out, and that's where EF helps us the most! Cheers, - Joy.http://www.englishforums.com/English/GermanGirlsWantsTo/6/wlxm/Post.htm#161911Wed, 23 Nov 2005 20:16:34 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:161911anonymousHello, I am interested in international finance and overall business. I think that you would benefit from conversing with me because I am absolutely frank. I would be able to give you an oppurtunity to get used to American English colloquialisms (sp) (that means I don't know if the spelling is correct for that particular word). You would be able to communicate in American lingo. I don't necessarily believe that American slang and everyday language usage is the most brilliant form of communication. However, that's how everyone talks. Anyway, write me back. Sincerely, Dan P.S. Where are you from in Germany. It's a very diverse country.http://www.englishforums.com/English/WhatImpressionViewsAboutFrance/6/bkxxd/Post.htm#151148Mon, 24 Oct 2005 16:00:19 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:151148waïtiI'm sorry Savvy but I don't see what's wrong with 'fouled up' . Same for 'shirker' . My dictionary says they are both 'colloquialisms' but doesn't mention they'd be considered 'slang'. Waïti.http://www.englishforums.com/English/TheBestWayToLearnEnglish/bkplk/post.htm#139435Mon, 19 Sep 2005 21:13:23 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:139435tearsofjoyHey guys, I'm Indian, and have been told that i speak English better than my native language. Which is no credit, but it's very true all the same. I read like crazy. Nowadays i am into Harry Potter Fan fiction, which has really helped me when it comes to colloquialisms(and bad language LOL). I've also read quite a few Victorian works, and i can definitely say that they have enriched my English beyind comprehension. However, i'd say that the key to speaking good English is simply to speak it. Read, listen, and speak the language whenever you can. I know you have to make an effort to speak a language that doesn't come easily to you, but the effort has to be made. Chatting with people on the Net helps when it comes to speaking...http://www.englishforums.com/English/Slangs/bzdmm/post.htm#109435Thu, 16 Jun 2005 10:02:05 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:109435abbie1948Hello Chola and welcome to the forums. Slang is singular and uncountable - it doesn't have a plural form. If you type American Slang into your browser, you will find lots of sites, but here are some to start you off: http://www.manythings.org/slang/ http://www.slanguage.com/ http://www.usingenglish.com/links/Slang_and_Colloquialisms/American_Slang/http://www.englishforums.com/English/CanadianismsEh/brgqx/post.htmFri, 01 Apr 2005 00:18:51 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:85541ali al-kanadaeiFrom: http://www.craigmarlatt.com/canada/symbols_facts&lists/canadianisms.html loonie A dollar. The Canadian $1 coin has a loon (the bird) on one side. toonie Two dollars. The Canadian $2 coin is gold-coloured in the middle, with a silver-coloured ring around the outside. It takes its name from the $1 coin, the loonie, and adds its value, two, to form "twonie" or, more easily read, "toonie". A polar bear is on one side of this coin. pogey Unemployment benefits. "I'm getting pogey" means, as the British would say, "I'm on the dole." serviette French for "napkin". This term is used by anglophones as well as francophones. washroom bathroom housecoat robe, bathrobe chesterfield A couch or sofa. ...http://www.englishforums.com/English/PhrasesMovieWatched/mwch/post.htm#61391Tue, 14 Dec 2004 13:13:41 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:61391mister micawberI really need more context for these colloquialisms, gtivan. 1) This may be as in the baseball term-- an illegal pitch-- so perhaps 'an unfair suggestion'? 2) Yes, as the previous poster suggests, 'don't bother to try to fool me with that idea'. 3) This phrase usually means do you need a'place, opportunity, advantage'. 4) People remember only X about the person, place or event, and not Y or Z.http://www.englishforums.com/English/WhenCausedArgumentOffice/lncz/post.htm#58246Mon, 29 Nov 2004 22:43:18 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:58246isabelbeeHello again Jim, and thanks for taking the time to answer my query. The point I was making about 'School is out' is that in my mind that is the correct grammar, not incorrect - perhaps I worded it badly (oops!), and my English friends who argue with me would, I think agree with you and me that 'School are out' sounds idiotic. Had my boss been an American, I would have enjoyed hearing the differences, and wouldn't dream of even querying what he said, unless it was in the interests of clarity to an English client or company. I find that well educated colleagues (by which I mean all round education, not specialising in only one subject) agree with my version, and say there is no argument, whereas other very competent people, who even...http://www.englishforums.com/English/Colloquialisms/kqnl/post.htm#53998Sun, 07 Nov 2004 02:42:14 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:53998cliveHi Guest, Well, I'd call such words colloqialisms. I certainly don't advise you to use them in your formal speaking or writing. They are also called 'swear words'. I'm not sure which 'b' word you mean. It's not 'Bush'? Best wishes, Clivehttp://www.englishforums.com/English/Colloquialisms/kqnl/post.htmSun, 07 Nov 2004 00:03:58 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:53986guestAren't vulgar words like the b and f word colloquialisms and if so why/http://www.englishforums.com/English/LearnBritishLanguage/wlkm/post.htm#43521Thu, 26 Aug 2004 16:58:04 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:43521guestI don't think it helps to get snooty about language. What is 'correct' is always a matter of debate anyway. The language we speak now is different to the language spoken by our grandparents in their youth, which was different to their grandparents, and so on and on... It is hard to define exactly which words are slang and which are not, and in any case, slang words either become fully accepted 'correct' words in the end, or they just die out. If you want to learn British English as a native speaker would use it, I think you have to use some elements of slang/informal language. The only danger there is that you might continue to use a word that has died out in Britain. Lots of people learning English seem to speak it more...http://www.englishforums.com/English/IntroUsefulSitesParticipants/lpbmp/post.htmTue, 17 Aug 2004 17:54:36 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:992934donna richouxLast Revised 2004-07-26 (26 July 2004) ~~ Contents Intro B: Useful Web Sites for AUE Participants ~~ - Where to find previous postings - Where to learn about ASCII IPA - Learning English as a Foreign Language - Audio Archives - Word lists - On-line Dictionaries: General - On-line Dictionaries: Historical and Special Purpose - Acronyms and abbreviations - Sites on words and language - Grammar: Frequently Requested Topics - Writing and Grammar Guides On Line - Encyclopedias & Search Engines - British English - Black English (African-American Vernacular English, Ebonics) - Historical English, and English Literature ~~ Where to find previous postings ~~ If you suspect your topic has already been discussed, even though it is not in the...http://www.englishforums.com/English/PersonTense/2/lkznd/Post.htm#969684Mon, 02 Aug 2004 14:02:58 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:969684mike lyle"Leave" is substandard for "let", so "leave it be" means the same as "let it remain". Would you say "Let it remain" doesn't fit Donna's pattern? * RHWUD = Random House Webster's Unabridged Dictionary . In West Wales, "leave" is more usual than "let" in this use. I'm not entirely convinced it's sub-standard; or is "Let it alone" actually standard, with "Leave it alone" sub-standard? Or is that particular "Leave" an exception? Or, as seems likely, are both sub-standard, and colloquialisms only? Mike.http://www.englishforums.com/English/IntroUsefulSitesParticipants/ljmlj/post.htmMon, 26 Jul 2004 17:23:23 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:966612donna richouxLast Revised 2004-07-26 (26 July 2004) * = recently revised ~~ Contents Intro B: Useful Web Sites for AUE Participants ~~ - Where to find previous postings - Where to learn about ASCII IPA - Learning English as a Foreign Language - Audio Archives - Word lists - On-line Dictionaries: General - On-line Dictionaries: Historical and Special Purpose - Acronyms and abbreviations - Sites on words and language * - Grammar: Frequently Requested Topics * - Writing and Grammar Guides On Line - Encyclopedias & Search Engines - British English * - Black English (African-American Vernacular English, Ebonics) - Historical English, and English Literature ~~ Where to find previous postings ~~ If you suspect your topic has already been discussed, even...http://www.englishforums.com/English/IChangedMyPhoneNumber/10/lhwvv/Post.htm#961654Sat, 17 Jul 2004 23:05:47 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:961654dr robin bignallA bit late. Sorry. Sean O'Leathlobhair wrote on 14 Jul 2004: It's quite common in the lower registers of AmE. It ... confirm that "stolen on me" is common enough in left-pondia. I have a sense that 'x on me' is not uncommon in Irish English, and I doubt if it ... than our British contemporaries, and colloquialisms of all kinds are notoriously used in higher-register situations in Australia than in Britain. Usage such as "If you do that again I'll tell teacher on you" was typical of my local dialect where I grew up. wrmst rgrds Robin Bignall Hertfordshire Englandhttp://www.englishforums.com/English/IChangedMyPhoneNumber/9/lhwvv/Post.htm#961018Sat, 17 Jul 2004 11:57:59 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:961018mike lyleA bit late. Sorry. Sean O'Leathlobhair wrote on 14 Jul 2004: I have never heard a native say: "I can't drive ... that is because of the "on me" at the end. It's quite common in the lower registers of AmE. It may not be so in BrE I don't know anything about that but a bit of googling will confirm that "stolen on me" is common enough in left-pondia. I have a sense that 'x on me' is not uncommon in Irish English, and I doubt if it would excite notice in colloquial BrE. It's been unremarkable in informal Australian speech all my life; but we did use rather more Americanisms than our British contemporaries, and colloquialisms of all kinds are notoriously used in higher-register situations...http://www.englishforums.com/English/OedHasAnotherThingComing/25/ldgkb/Post.htm#948085Tue, 29 Jun 2004 18:43:47 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:948085ben zimmerDonna Richoux redled: Donna, are you claiming that there are ... I'm not aware of ever hearing any examples of this. Yes. For example, the first four hits in Google Groups (a better place for colloquialisms than the Web) under "I could give a damn whether":(snip Googlehits) And see , not to mention my post elsethread where I give a citation from 1978.http://www.englishforums.com/English/OedHasAnotherThingComing/25/ldgkb/Post.htm#948051Tue, 29 Jun 2004 17:48:14 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:948051mike lyleDonna, are you claiming that there are people who say ... I'm not aware of ever hearing any examples of this. Yes. For example, the first four hits in Google Groups (a better place for colloquialisms than the Web) under "I could give a damn whether": If this is so, and it's confined to a particular ... the difference between "could" and "couldn't" is not clearly articulated? There's something going on, but I can't explain it. Something to do with substitutions (insert suitable word here) and rhythms ... pretty stupid literally (don't anybody give me those myths) yet we know what those five syllables are intended to mean. I speculate as follows. FWIW. "I could care less, but it...http://www.englishforums.com/English/OedHasAnotherThingComing/24/ldgkb/Post.htm#947890Tue, 29 Jun 2004 10:46:43 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:947890donna richouxDonna Richoux redled: If you must have a parallel to "I could care ... mild sarcasm? (Or, from a missing "like" or "as if.") Donna, are you claiming that there are people who say "I could give a damn" when they really couldn't? I'm not aware of ever hearing any examples of this. Yes. For example, the first four hits in Google Groups (a better place for colloquialisms than the Web) under "I could give a damn whether": ... I use a more conversational style on USENET I could give a damn whether you utilized a semi-colon where a colon belongs or whether you dangled your particple ... I could give a damn whether you are conservative or whatever. To tell you the truth I could give a damn...http://www.englishforums.com/English/OedHasAnotherThingComing/24/ldgkb/Post.htm#947895Tue, 29 Jun 2004 10:46:43 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:947895donna richouxDonna Richoux redled: If you must have a parallel to "I could care ... mild sarcasm? (Or, from a missing "like" or "as if.") Donna, are you claiming that there are people who say "I could give a damn" when they really couldn't? I'm not aware of ever hearing any examples of this. Yes. For example, the first four hits in Google Groups (a better place for colloquialisms than the Web) under "I could give a damn whether": ... I use a more conversational style on USENET I could give a damn whether you utilized a semi-colon where a colon belongs or whether you dangled your particple ... I could give a damn whether you are conservative or whatever. To tell you the truth I could give a damn...http://www.englishforums.com/English/OedHasAnotherThingComing/24/ldgkb/Post.htm#947896Tue, 29 Jun 2004 10:46:43 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:947896donna richouxDonna Richoux redled: If you must have a parallel to "I could care ... mild sarcasm? (Or, from a missing "like" or "as if.") Donna, are you claiming that there are people who say "I could give a damn" when they really couldn't? I'm not aware of ever hearing any examples of this. Yes. For example, the first four hits in Google Groups (a better place for colloquialisms than the Web) under "I could give a damn whether": ... I use a more conversational style on USENET I could give a damn whether you utilized a semi-colon where a colon belongs or whether you dangled your particple ... I could give a damn whether you are conservative or whatever. To tell you the truth I could give a damn...http://www.englishforums.com/English/OedHasAnotherThingComing/24/ldgkb/Post.htm#947889Tue, 29 Jun 2004 10:46:43 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:947889donna richouxDonna Richoux redled: If you must have a parallel to "I could care ... mild sarcasm? (Or, from a missing "like" or "as if.") Donna, are you claiming that there are people who say "I could give a damn" when they really couldn't? I'm not aware of ever hearing any examples of this. Yes. For example, the first four hits in Google Groups (a better place for colloquialisms than the Web) under "I could give a damn whether": ... I use a more conversational style on USENET I could give a damn whether you utilized a semi-colon where a colon belongs or whether you dangled your particple ... I could give a damn whether you are conservative or whatever. To tell you the truth I could give a damn...http://www.englishforums.com/English/OedHasAnotherThingComing/25/ldgkb/Post.htm#947905Tue, 29 Jun 2004 10:46:43 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:947905donna richouxDonna Richoux redled: If you must have a parallel to "I could care ... mild sarcasm? (Or, from a missing "like" or "as if.") Donna, are you claiming that there are people who say "I could give a damn" when they really couldn't? I'm not aware of ever hearing any examples of this. Yes. For example, the first four hits in Google Groups (a better place for colloquialisms than the Web) under "I could give a damn whether": ... I use a more conversational style on USENET I could give a damn whether you utilized a semi-colon where a colon belongs or whether you dangled your particple ... I could give a damn whether you are conservative or whatever. To tell you the truth I could give a damn...http://www.englishforums.com/English/ShortedWords/8/lvrng/Post.htm#941022Fri, 18 Jun 2004 14:17:15 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:941022mike lyleThis nust be regional, or idiosyncratic, or occasional, or possibly very recent: my AusE says a 'wino' is in big trouble, alcoholism-wise. It still can have that meaning, I guess, but in my experience it's more common to be used jocularly to ... of wino, we'll need an extra bottle tonight if she's coming". Then again 'alco' might be subsituted in there too. Well, I did say QUOTE/ If 'wino' has now moved on to include wine-connoisseurs and in Australian journalism that's highly likely one must, probably, applaud. /ENDQUOTE Wilkes's first edition D. of Australian Colloquialisms (now taken over by OUP, I think) doesn't give the word at all. So maybe I'm wrong in thinking it part of...http://www.englishforums.com/English/GoThroughLine/4/lrddx/Post.htm#931361Mon, 07 Jun 2004 14:08:05 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:931361mike lyleAaron J. Dinkin infrared: Well, first question is, do other people in Australia use "fiver" to mean five dollars? As far as I know, they don't. But why not? Terms like "fiver" and "tenner" used to be common before ... we don't appear to have used any slang terms or abbreviations for our money, and that's something I don't understand. Somewhere I have a paper I did on this phenomenon, connected with some work on Sterling-area money language. In Britain a whole range of currency-colloquialisms died out practically overnight when the pee was introduced, even though several of the coins were essentially identical: people just would not have it that 'one pound fifty' was 'thirty...http://www.englishforums.com/English/ForNativeEnglishSpeakersPartLiving-Manila/hvvwv/post.htm#605608Sun, 29 Feb 2004 13:41:03 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:605608usenetChanges in capitals as before... Coming to Manila for a new job offer, and not knowing what to expect, I was a little excited and ... this is a side of Manila that only a few knew about and where the Filipino spirit still lives on. Some of your sentences are a little too long and would benefit from being broken up. That's a matter of style rather than correct English though. e.g. Coming to Manila for a new job offer, and not knowing what to expect, I was a little excited and terrified at the prospect of better opportunities in the company. I was also thrilled at the prospect of a slightly different lifestyle, like living in one of the tall buildings. Aside from the usual jam-packed trains and buses, the FX taxis are quite comfortable...