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Thread: What is the best way to learn a foreign language and foreign culture?

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[quote=AL32,311404]I will give a shot at explaining those expressions you've stated above:
1.“You bet” ---> this is just to show a quick and real approuval just like "for sure" or "no doubt (abou it)". From a gambling perspective, it's like you would say "yes, for sure, you could put your money on this; this is the truth"; so you can bet on this because it's definatly the case

2.“There you go” & “Here you go” --> almost the same thing: if one has proved is own case or brought is own justification, you can say "there you go; you proved your point" here you go has the same meaning but can also be used to demonstrate that some one is doing something again: "here you go, making that thing again.."

3.“Holy cow” Holy shit (S+H+I+T)” / cow --> you are right, these just expressions showing a surprise. I can't really tell you their origin but you could use any world: holy macaroni, holy dumpling!! hehe and it would make as much sense... these as just plain expression without realmeaning. People use them as they feel and there is no need to search for what the sacred cow as to do with the use of the expression.
I know they are exclamations. Do they have more positive senses? Holy cow means “ a sacred cow”?Do western people worship “some kinds of cow”?

4. “ Oh, my God” “ Oh, Boy” --> pretty much like #3: just like saying "wow!!" ; the "Oh girl!!" could sometimes be used, but I'd say that most guys would not use that as it might make them sound gay... If a guy say "here you go girl" to another guy, that would definately sound bad and people will look at both of them in a strange way.. ;-P

5.The use of “ Hit” --> this could also have some sort of gambling dialect roots: when you play BlackJack (21) at the casino, you can ask to get another card from the dealer by saying "hit me"... it could also have a similar meaning as "to try", "to give a shot at", "to go to", "to take" and "to do". I'll hit a shower, we hit a cab and then we can hit the restaurant...

I hope this helps. And although it's not the best way, movies and TV shows are great to help you get used to listening to English. Another way I would recommend is to buy a novel and highlight and use you dictionary to trnslate any word you don't know. Write them down right above the word in the book. I will be tedious and a lot of work at first, but you will realize after a few chapters that the words repeat and you will know them and realize what you've learn. I tell you, after half the book, you will barely not use the dictionary anymore!! Good luck!!
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