American College Slangs/ Idioms

We see a lot of international students on college campuses in the States today. A lot of them are identified as American with their own ethnic backgrounds, whereas quite a lot of them are called “FOB” that stands for “Fresh Off the Boat”, meaning the ones who have just come to America or immigrants. Sadly, quite often times, FOB is used with a pejorative or not very pleasant connotation towards the immigrants. L

This week, let me share some English slangs or idiomatic expressions that are often used among college students. (*source from https://share.america.gov/learn-some-american-college-slang/)

  1.   GPA Killer: (noun)

GPA stands for “Grade Point Average”, so GPA killer refers to a very challenging/ difficult course that could be detrimental to your grade. Synonymous expressions include grade RIPer/ death trap

  2.   to ace a test/ exam: (verb) to get the best grade possible

  3.   to put an all-nighter: (verb) to burn the midnight oil/ to study all night long

  4.   to pregame: (verb) to go to a small party before a bigger party

  5.   underwater basket weaving: (noun) an insulting name for an elective class that doesn’t count toward a graduation requirement or for a class that is particularly easy. It is also interchangeably used with Netflixer/ bird course/ sleeper/ snoozer

  6.   NARP: (acronym) Non-Athletic Regular Person (or Random Person)

            A term the athletes on campus use to describe the rest of the student body or a person with minimal athletic ability and very low game spitting skills.

  7.   to cupcake: (verb) to flirt or talk sweet to someone you like

   

  

  Time to practice the above expressions!

  1.   A: Man. You looks totally prepared for the midterms!

      B: Yes, I am confident enough to _________________ all the tests this       semester. I’ve been pulling an ______________________ for the last few       weeks.

  2.   Is Mr. Redford’s class one of those _________________________________ courses that most kids would sign up for good grades?

  3.   No way, his class is so-called a ____________________________ that would destroy your college life. You are required to turn in a time-consuming paper every week.

  4.   Mary-Jane has had enough with Tommy. She says Tommy keeps cheating on her and never stops ________________________ with other girls.

  5.   A: Are you coming to Burt’s house tonight before joining the end-of-the-year party?
B: No, I won’t ___________________ tonight, because I need to be sober at the year-end get-together.

  6.   Dan was always viewed as a ___________________ by his friends in his basketball team. He loves basketball but not very good at it.

  

  

  Answer Keys

  1.   ace, all-nighter

  2.   underwater basket-weaving/ bird course/ Netflixer/ sleeper/ snoozer

  3.   GPA killer/ grade RIPer/ death trap

  4.   cupcaking

  5.   pregame

  6.   NARP