Not pronouncing the /h/ in words such as him, her, his, himself, has, have isn't wrong at all. By leaving the /h/ out in these words, it is easier for the speaker to keep the rhythm and flow of speech. So, by saying /im/ instead of /him/ is

This is the context: the boy has decided not to take his upcoming exam. He explains his decision by saying that 'he doesn't want to waste all that neurosis in worrying." What exactly does he mean by it?

In that case Thomson and Martinet, the authors of 'A practical English grammar', disagree with you.

I browsed through my last year's notes and found the info I said and there a side note there saying 'obsolete' with three exclamation marks. So, I went to check from the OED the history of 'merry' and, as Clive already

I'm not sure whether this is true or not but I remember hearing that if one uses 'merry' it carries the idea of consuming some alcohol during Christmas. 'Happy' on the other hand, does not carry this insinuation. But as I said,

Yes, it means 'but or except for'. It's a bit old-fashioned, although, it is still used in some formal texts.

I wouldn't worry too much about your problem. The more you just use the language, the more you gain confidence and, thus, make fewer of those kinds of mistakes. Once you get a firmer grasp of the language you pronounce 'the'

You mean something like this? http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/learningenglish/grammar/pron/sounds/

It seems that American English has the 'got' there, as in 'I haven't got the foggiest idea'. I guess it's more British English to omit the 'got'.

Heh, the last version seems awfully lot like a pidgin English to me. I sure hope we won't go that far.