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Chivalry Posted 14 years ago
Vocabulary
Outdated expression?
I just wonder if some of the English idioms have actually gone out of fashion and never be used again(except by some really old elders of course).
Recently I said a couple of expressions that native speakers didn't understand, such as "letting off some steam", "My mother's somehow out there, you're not even in the ball park."
and "The woman's pretty much a jade if she's really how you described."
And then those folks were just baffled, clearly they didn't understand that particular expression I was using. So I'm here to wonder, are those expressions/descriptions any odd at all?
Thank you!
Recently I said a couple of expressions that native speakers didn't understand, such as "letting off some steam", "My mother's somehow out there, you're not even in the ball park."
and "The woman's pretty much a jade if she's really how you described."
And then those folks were just baffled, clearly they didn't understand that particular expression I was using. So I'm here to wonder, are those expressions/descriptions any odd at all?
Thank you!
Top answer
'Jade' is a dated word, but the other two idioms are not. Idioms have two characteristics, of course, just as other words do: they age, and not everyone understands them.
- 'Jade' is a dated word, but the other two idioms are not.
- Idioms have two characteristics, of course, just as other words do: they age, and not everyone understands them.
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4 Answers
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'Jade' is a dated word, but the other two idioms are not. Idioms have two characteristics, of course, just as other words do: they age, and not everyone understands them.
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chivalry(except by some really old elders of course)Hello, Chivalry:
Yes, expressions come and go. Probably the same situation in your first language, right?
I am 75 years old, so I know some expressions that younger people do not. For example:
"If I had my druthers, I would be a journalist." = If I could be what I wanted to be,
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The first two idioms are not outdated, but you need to use them in the right context in order to be understood (your sentence using "ballpark" is not right). For example:
A: Where's Jeff? B: He stepped out of the room and is walking around outside letting off steam.
A: Guess how much he wanted for that used Porsche. B: 3000? A: That's not even in the ballpark. Guess ag
A: Where's Jeff? B: He stepped out of the room and is walking around outside letting off steam.
A: Guess how much he wanted for that used Porsche. B: 3000? A: That's not even in the ballpark. Guess ag
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Hi,
Today, people very rarely talk about 'elders' , with the meaning of 'older people'.
Clive
Today, people very rarely talk about 'elders' , with the meaning of 'older people'.
Clive
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