Americanism

/əˈmɛrɪkənɪz(ə)m/

1. Americanism has two different meanings: An Americanism is

a word or phrase (or, less commonly, a feature of grammar, spelling,
or pronunciation) that (supposedly) originated in the United States or
is used primarily by Americans, but it can also signify loyalty to the United
States and a defence of American political ideals that include, but are not limited,
to independence, equality before the law, freedom of speech, and progress.

The term Americanism was introduced by the Reverend John Witherspoon in

the late-18th century.
 INTRODUCTION

The United States of America is a country rich in culture and history. It has

been in the forefront of all areas and fields throughout the world. America is
known as the land of opportunity and it instils in its people a sense of self--
reliance.

This textbook will explore all aspects of the American Culture from the
geographical makeup of the country to the people and their behavioural
patterns.
 INDEX

Chapter 1: Geography & Regional Characteristics

Section 1: States and Time Zones……………………………………… 4 -5

Section 2: Seasons….………………………… 6-8

Chapter 2: People of America

Section 1: Ethnic groups and Religions…………………… 9 - 12

Section 2: Languages ……………………………………… 13

Section 3: Spanish …………………………………………. 14

Chapter 3: American names 15- 16

Chapter 4: Clothing 17-18

Chapter 5: The American Family

Section 1: American House ……………………………… 19 - 22

Section 2: American Family ……………………………… 23 –24

Chapter 6: The Workplace 25 - 27

Chapter 7: Medicaid and Medicare 28

Chapter 8: Personal Habits and Crime

Section 1: Drugs, Smoking and Alcohol ………… 29 - 32

 Section 2 Crime and Courts ……………………………. 33

Chapter 9: Education in America 34

Chapter 10: Food 35 - 39

Chapter 11: American Holidays 40 - 43

Chapter 12: Driving in America 44 - 45

Chapter 13: Sports, Games & Recreation

Section 1: Sports ……………………………………… 46-47

Section 2: Recreation ……………………………………… 47 – 48

Chapter 14: Parts of the body……………………………………… 50

Section 1: Mental state and behavior………………………... 51-55
Section 2 American spellings……………………………..……. 56-57

Chapter 15: Money & Measurements

Section 1: Numbers, Money, measurements 58-59
 STATES
The fifty states and their Postal Codes are:

STATES POSTAL CODES STATES POSTAL CODES

Alabama AL Ohio OH

Alaska AK Oklahoma OK

Arizona AZ Oregon OR

Arkansas AR Pennsylvania PA

California CA Rhode Island RI

Colorado CO Nebraska NE

Connecticut CT Nevada NV

Delaware DE New York NY

Florida FL New Mexico NM

Georgia GA New Jersey NJ

Hawaii HI New Hampshire NH

Idaho ID North Carolina NC

Illinois IL North Dakota ND

Indiana IN South Carolina SC

Iowa IA South Dakota SD

Kansas KS Tennessee TN

Kentucky KY Texas TX

Louisiana LA Utah UT

Maine ME Vermont VT

Maryland MD Virginia VA

Massachusetts MA Washington WA

Michigan MI West Virginia WV

Minnesota MN Wisconsin WI

Mississippi MS Wyoming WY

Missouri MO

Montana MT

Washington, District of Columbia, or D.C., is not a state. It is a federal district and the capital
of the United States. Washington, D.C., has a nonvoting representative in the U.S. House of
Representatives.
 Time Zones

The U.S. is so large that it spans several time zones; each is separated by one hour. The
Eastern Standard Time zone is 4 ½ hours behind GMT. The four time zones are:

1. Eastern Standard Time

2. Central Standard Time
3. Mountain Standard Time
4. Pacific Standard Time

Daylight Savings Time

To save daylight the U.S employs ‘Daylight Savings Time.’ Clocks are set ahead one hour in
the spring (in April) and returned to normal time (brought back one hour) in the fall (in
October). This allows Americans to utilize more daylight during working hours.
 CHAPTER 1
Seasons

Here are how the seasons come in relation to the months of the year.

Winter December, January, February

Spring March, April, May
Summer June, July, August
Fall/Autumn September, October, November

SEASONS
Following are some of the terms relating to each season:

SUMMER

North American summers are hot, and one region or another may experience heat wave. It
is a time for water sports and vacationing. Schools are closed.

Sunburn: a burn to the skin caused by the rays of the sun.

Heat wave: a period of abnormally hot and usually humid weather.

Sun block: a lotion used to protect the skin from the harmful rays of the sun.

UV rays: ultra-violet rays of the skin, which are harmful to skin and eyes.

Heat exhaustion: a medical condition in which a person becomes so overheated, they

FALL/AUTUMN

Fall is the end of summer and the beginning of cooling weather. All the leaves on trees
change colors and fall. Children all return to school after Labor Day. This is also the season
for tropical storms and hurricanes.
Tropical storms, tropical depressions, and hurricanes originate in the Atlantic Ocean. These
begin as thunderstorms off the coast of Africa and move westward and northward, picking up
moisture and wind.

Tropical depression: winds are less than 39 mph

Tropical storm: winds are between 39 to 73 mph.

Hurricanes: winds exceed 73 mph. They are the most dangerous of these storms.

Chapped lips: dry and peeling skin on the lips as a result of dry and windy weather.

Indian summer: a term used to describe an unseasonably warm autumn, which suddenly
changes back to cold weather, often resulting in illnesses.

Flu: an illness characterized by coughing, congestion, sneezing, and sleepiness.

Wind burn: skin irritation caused by strong winds whipping against one’s face.

WINTER

The coldest season in the year is winter. Most people avoid outdoor activities.
Temperatures can go down to – 40 degree Celsius in some parts of the U S. Roads become
very icy therefore causing many road accidents.

Blizzard: a storm with dry, driving snow, strong winds, and intense cold. Also called
snowstorm.

Cabin fever: a state characterized by anxiety, boredom, and restlessness, arising from a
prolonged stay in a remote or confined place (i.e., being snowed in).

Frost: frozen dew seen in the morning after a cold night.

Frostbite: injury to any part of the body after excessive exposure to extreme cold,
sometimes progressing from initial redness and tingling to gangrene.

Hail: showery precipitation in the form of irregular pellets or balls of ice more than 1/5 inch
in diameter, falling from a cumulonimbus cloud (distinguished from sleet).
Icy: full of or covered with ice. <icy roads>

Icicles: ice formations seen commonly from the roofs of houses as snow melts and
refreezes.

Flurries: light snowfall.

Rock salt: commonly used to melt ice in the winter.
Sleet: precipitation in the form of ice pellets created by the freezing of rain as it falls
(distinguished from hail).
Slush: the combination of melted snow mixed with mud, resulting in a slippery mess.
Snowball: a ball of snow pressed or rolled together for throwing.
Snow blower: a motor-driven machine on wheels used to remove snow by throwing it into
the air and to one side.
Snow plow: a truck with a bulldozer type metal plate in front for pushing snow to the side of
the road.
Snowbound: shut in or immobilized by snow. Also, snowed in.
Snow shower: another term for a snowfall, which is neither light nor heavy.
Thawed: melted, become warm enough to melt snow or ice.
Wind chill factor: a meteorological term for the apparent temperature felt on the exposed
human body due to the combination of temperature and wind speed.
SPRING
Spring gives everyone a sigh of relief after four long months of winter. The weather becomes
warmer. But with lots of rain. The trees regain their leaves and the flowers begin to bloom.
With the flowers come lots of allergies to pollen.

Pollen: fertilizing element of flowering plants.

Hay fever: a term used to describe an allergic reaction to pollen in the air, the symptoms
usually include sneezing, runny nose, and sometimes a rash.
Flash flood: a sudden unexpected rain that results in extremely heavy flooding.
Downpour: a heavy, drenching rain.
Hurricane: a violent, tropical, cyclonic storm of the western North Atlantic, having wind
speeds of 73 mph or higher.
Pollen count: the count of pollen in the air (in the spring), which is given with daily weather
reports on the news.
“raining cats and dogs”: idiom that means raining heavily.
Shower: a brief fall of rain or, sometimes, of hail or snow.

Spring fever: an energetic, restless feeling commonly associated with the beginning of
spring.
Twister: another term for a tornado that occurs suddenly without warning.

Tropical storm: storm system that develops into a hurricane with wind speed from 39-72
mph

Tropical depression: storm system in the Atlantic Ocean that develops into a tropical
depression with winds not exceeding 38 mph.

“slick as ice”: an idiom referring to something that may be as slippery as ice, such as wet
leaves in the fall.
 CHAPTER 2

PEOPLE OF AMERICA

Section 1: Ethnic Groups and Religions

The Melting Pot

The United States is known as the melting pot of society. People from all over the world are
seen in the United States. It is this variety of people and culture that makes the US what it is
today. US culture is not its own. It is that of many peoples and races. This is the melting pot
effect. We can see the influence of various cultures in the US making the general culture
“American.”

The most notable ethnic groups in America are:

1. Caucasians – This is the generic term for White Americans of European descent.

2. African Americans – The group is also called Black, or Black American. This group
consists of descendants of black African slaves, used by Southern plantation owners
for slave labor.

3. Hispanics – This group is composed of descendants of Spanish conquistadors and

trace their origins to the Caribbean Islands, Central America, and South America.

4. Asian Americans – This group is composed of natives and descendants of the Asian
continent and includes Indians, Chinese, Japanese, and Pakistanis.

Following are some terms relating ethnic groups and religions.

African American: a black American of African descent.

Amerasian: the offspring of an American and an Asian, usually one whose father is
American.

American Indian: also known as Native Americans, or the original inhabitants of America.
Amish: of or pertaining to any of the strict Mennonite groups, chiefly in Pennsylvania, Ohio,
Indiana, and Canada, descended from the followers of Jakob Ammann, a Swiss Mennonite
bishop of the 17th century. This community is known for its orthodoxy and austere lifestyle,
devoid of modern amenities such as automobiles, electricity, and telephones, and
opposition to war and carrying arms.

Asian American: a native of Asia, or his American-born descendant, living in the United
States.

Baha’i: a religion founded in Iran in 1863 by Husayn ‘Al (called Bahaullah), which teaches the
essential worth of all religions, the unity of all races, and the equality of the sexes.

Baptist: a member of a Christian denomination that baptizes believers by immersion and

that is usually Calvinistic in doctrine.

Buddhism: a religion originated in India by Buddha (Gautama) and later spreading to China,
Burma, Japan, Tibet, and parts of southeast Asia. Buddhism holds that life is full of suffering,
caused by desire, endless sequence of births and deaths to which one is otherwise subject.

Canadian: a native or inhabitant of Canada.

Caribbean: a native or inhabitant of any of the small island nations (Antigua, Aruba,
Barbados, Cuba, Curacao, Jamaica, Martinique, Puerto Rico, Trinidad & Tobago, and the
Virgin Islands) in the Caribbean Sea.

Christianity: It is the most widely followed religion in the U.S. There are various groups
and religions based on Christianity.

Catholics: These are the second largest group of Christians in the US. President John F.
Kennedy was a member of this community. It may be interesting to note that the Italian
Mafia of the U.S. is comprised mainly of Catholics.

Christian Scientists: Another offshoot of Christianity where the belief is that healing is a
mental process. Its teachings are based on the full understanding of the Bible.

Congregational: pertaining or adhering to a form of Protestant church government in which

each local church acts as an independent, self-governing body while maintaining fellowship
with like congregations.
Central American: a native or inhabitant of the countries of Belize, Costa Rica, El Salvador,
Guatemala, Honduras, or Nicaragua.

Confucianism: This is an oriental philosophy in which the teachings of the Chinese

philosopher Confucius are followed.

Church of Scientology: A new religion gaining wide popularity. Members include such
famous personalities as John Travolta, Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman.

Cuban: a native or inhabitant of the island country of Cuba in the Caribbean, off the coast of
Florida.

Dominican: a native or inhabitant of the Dominican Republic.

El Salvadorian: a native or inhabitant of El Salvador.

Episcopalian: pertaining or adhering to the Protestant Episcopal Church, which represents

the Anglican Communion in America.

Ecuadorian: a native or inhabitant of Ecuador.

Filipino: a native or inhabitant of the Philippines.

Franco-American: Americans of French or French-Canadian descent.

Greek: a native or inhabitant of Greece.

Hispanic: Spanish-speaking; of or relating to the people, language, and culture of Spain and
Portugal and Latin America. <Through an interpreter, I interviewed the mother of this 4-
year-old Hispanic male>

Hinduism: This religion is gaining increased popularity among people longing for spirituality.
It was very popular in the seventies due to the work of Sri Prabupadha and his ISKCON
movement.
Jehovah’s Witness: a Christian sect, founded in the U.S. in the late 19 th century, that
believes in the imminent destruction of the world’s wickedness and the establishment of a
theocracy under God’s rule. They do not allow blood transfusions.

Jewish: 1. Of, pertaining to or characteristic of the Jews or Judaism: Jewish customs.

2. Informal Yiddish

Judaism: This is the religion of the Jewish community in the U.S. The Jewish community is a
very strong and economically forward community. Famous Jewish personalities include
Steven Speilberg, George Lucas, Barbara Striesand and Albert Einstein.

Khmer: a member of an aboriginal people of Cambodia also official language of Cambodia.

Latin American/Latino: a native or inhabitant of the parts of Central or South America in

which Spanish, Portuguese, or French is officially spoken.

Laotian: a native or inhabitant of Laos.

Lutheran: Of or pertaining to Luther, adhering to his doctrines, or belonging to one of the

Protestant churches that bear his name.

Mormon: Another offshoot of Christianity. Members are known for not using stimulants of
any type, including coffee, chocolate, etc. The popular name given to a member of the
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Mormons have a large population in Utah and
are known to practice polygamy.

Muslim: of or pertaining to the religion, law, or civilization of Islam.

Native American: a member of the aboriginal people of America. Also called American
Indian, Amerind, and Amerindian.

Nation of Islam: an organization composed chiefly of American blacks, advocating the

teachings of Islam and originally favoring the separation of races; members are known as
Black Muslims.

Oriental: a native or inhabitant of eastern Asia.

Puerto Rican: a native or inhabitant of the Hispanic U.S. territory, Puerto Rico. Spanish
speaking. Also called a Rican (politically incorrect).

Polish: a native or inhabitant of Poland. Also called “Pole.”

Portuguese: a native or inhabitant of Portugal.

Protestant: any Western Christian who is not an adherent of a Catholic or Eastern Church.
This is the largest group of Christians in the U.S.

South American: a native or inhabitant of the countries of South America (Argentina,

Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, French Guyana, Guyana, Paraguay, Peru, Surinam,
and Venezuela).

Taiwanese: a native or inhabitant of Taiwan.

Taoism: This is a Chinese philosophy based on the teachings of the book the Tao Te Ching.
A philosopher Tzu Lao supposedly wrote the book.

Voodoo: A religion originally brought to the U.S. by slaves. It is based on ancestor worship
and polytheism.
 CHAPTER 2
Section 2: Languages

LANGUAGES

You will be familiar with the names of languages spoken in most countries, but here are few,
which may be unfamiliar.
Amharic: spoken in Ethiopia
Azherbaijani: spoken in Iran
Belarusan: spoken in Belarus
Cebuano: spoken in the Phillipines
Czech: spoken in the Czech Republic (pronounced ‘check’)
Igbo: spoken in Nigeria
Javanese: spoken in Indonesia, Java, and Bali
Malagasy: spoken in Madagascar
Malay: spoken in Malaysia
Mandarin: the most widely spoken language in the world. Official language of China.
Serbo-Croatian: spoken in Yugoslavia
Somali: spoken in Somalia
Spanish: official language of most South American countries and Spain.
Sunda: spoken in Indonesia
Tagalog: spoken in the Philippines.
Khmer: official language of Cambodia.
Ukranian: spoken in the Ukraine.
Uzbek: spoken in the Uzbekistan.
Yiddish: an offshoot of German with a mix of vocabulary from Hebrew, and spoken mainly
by Jews in eastern and central Europe and their descendants.
Yoruba: spoken in Nigeria.
Yue: spoken in China.
Zulu: spoken in South Africa.
Spanish is the second most commonly spoken language in the U.S. There are many Hispanic
people living in the United States and in certain places, such as California, even road signs
are translated into Spanish. As such, Spanish-speaking patients frequently come to doctors
with translators.

Pronunciation Guide to Spanish

Vowels Consonants
A “ah” sound d (between 2 vowels) “th” sound
E “ay” sound J “h” sound
I “ee” sound N “ny” sound
O “oh sound Ll “y” sound
U “ooh” sound Que “kay” sound
Gua “gwa” sound

Some commonly used terms in the U.S. that come from Spanish are listed below.
amigo: friend
casa: house
El Nino: a weather pattern that has had major impact on the weather in the U.S.
enigma: riddle
fiesta: party
hacienda: farmhouse
margarita: an alcoholic beverage.
siesta: an afternoon nap
senorita: woman/lady
sombrero: wide-brimmed hat.
 CHAPTER 3
AMERICAN NAMES

First names: Most Americans use first, or non-family, names when they are meeting for the
first time. They also use nicknames, such as Jim for James, and Judy for Judith.

Middle names: Some women use their maiden name between their first and last names,
such as Carol Smith Taylor.

Last names: Preceded by Ms., Miss, and Mrs. (pronounced “Miz”), and Mr.
To be more formal, Americans use:

 Ms For married and unmarried women.

 Miss (Ms.) for unmarried women.
 Mrs. for married women.
 Mr. for married and unmarried men.

Use Mr. or Ms. If you are meeting:

 Your boss for the first time.

 Someone much older than you.

Sir, Miss, & Ma’am Use these titles for people you don’t know personally – such as a waiter
or waitress, mail person, or clerk in a store. “Ma’am” is especially popular in the
Southeastern U.S.

Example of female names

1. Kaitlyn
2. Emily
3. Sarah
4. Hannah
5. Ashley
6. Brianna
7. Alexis
8. Samantha
9. Taylor
10. Madison
Example of male names

1. James
2. Jacob
3. John
4. Robert
5. Michael
6. William
7. David
8. Richard
9. Charles
10. Joseph
11. Thomas
12. Matthew
13. Nicholas
14. Joshua
15. Christopher
 CHAPTER 4

Clothing

Clothing and Brand Consciousness

Clothing in the U.S. is a manner of expression of one’s self and style. It is a big industry and
these styles are emulated throughout the world. As a result of this, there are a number of big
name labels in the U.S. catering to the wants of the industry. There are various styles of
clothing. In general, they are divided into two groups viz. formal and casual.

Formal clothing

Suit: a costume of two or more pieces worn at formal gatherings

Pantsuit: same as above
Skirt suit: a costume of two pieces where a skirt is worn instead of pants
Tie: a narrow length of material worn about the neck tied in the front.
Suspenders: adjustable straps or brands worn over the shoulders with the ends buttoned or
clipped to the waistband of a pair of trousers or a skirt to support it; braces.

Casual Clothing

Jeans: casual pants made from denim (also called blue jeans)
Khakis: cotton pants that are khaki (beige) colored.
Skirt: a free-hanging part of an outer garment or under garment extending from the waist
down usually worn by women and girls
Halter: a woman’s top, secured behind the neck and across the back, leaving the arms,
shoulders, upper back, and often the midriff bare.
Tank top: a close-fitting, low-cut top having shoulder straps and often made of lightweight,
knitted fabric. Also called tank.
Polo shirt: a T-shirt with a collar and buttons.
Turtleneck: a casual top, which covers the neck.
T-shirt: a casual shirt usually made of a cotton-knit material.
Cut-offs: a term to describe blue jeans that have been cut above the knee to create shorts.

Sportswear

Bathing suit: swimming costume. Also, swimsuit.

Body suit: a piece of clothing that is like a shirt but has a piece that goes between the legs
(like a leotard).
Jockstrap: an elasticized belt, a man’s undergarments, with a pouch for supporting and
protecting the genitals while participating in athletics. Also called athletic supporter
Leotard: a tight-fitting shirt that is joined between the legs usually used in dance or exercise.
Lycra: a synthetic stretchy material, which many clothes are made of.
Spandex: a synthetic fiber used chiefly in the manufacture of garments to add elasticity.
Leggings: tight-fitting pants usually made of a stretchy material and often used for exercising

Some Brand Names of Clothing

Lee
Levi’s
Nike
Polo
Tommy Hillfiger
Claiborne

Brand Names of Shoes

Adidas
Keds
Converse
Nike
Reebok

Accessories
Bandana
Choker
Mousse
Nylons
Scrunchy
Rubber boots
Spaghetti straps
Boxer shorts
Jockey shorts
Mittens
Rubber - condom
Trojan – brand name of condom
Stud

Types of shoes
Tennis
Running
Sneakers
Loafers
Clogs
Platforms
 CHAPTER 5
The American House and Family
Section 1: American House

There are various names for houses in America, depending on their size, location, and layout.
Following are some common types of homes.

Apartment: a unit within a large building which is a separate living space. (Commonly
called 'flat' in India)
Condo: abbreviated form of condominium, an apartment in a multi-unit building that can be
owned individually.
Duplex: (1) a house having separate apartments for two families (2) an apartment with rooms
on two connected floors.
Mobile home: a large house trailer designed for year-round living in one place.
Rooming house: a house with furnished rooms to rent; lodging house.
Row house: houses which are built with adjoining walls to other houses on both sides.
Town house: see row house
Track mansion: a mansion built on a very small piece of land in an area where all other
houses are also mansions built in the same way.
Trailer: see mobile home.

Places and Spaces in and out of a House:

Attic: a rooftop storage space.

Backyard: the portion of a lot behind a house sometimes fenced, walled, etc.
Cellar: an underground storage space.
Chimney: a long open passageway leading from the inside of a house upward that allows
smoke to exit from a fireplace.
Deck: open, unroofed porch or platform extending from a house. Also called sun deck.
Fireplace: a small dug out space with a chimney used to have an indoor fire.
Garage: an enclosed space used for keeping one's vehicles.
Greenhouse: a glass house used for growing plants.
Yard: the land surrounding a house, usually with grass and trees.
Low-income housing: housing built to be affordable to people who earn low incomes.
Subdivision: a portion of land divided into lots for real-estate development.
Suburb: a district lying immediately outside a city or town, especially a smaller residential
community.
Trailer park: an area where house trailers may be parked, usually having running water,
electrical outlets, etc. Also called trailer camp or trailer court.
Terms in the Kitchen:

Many injuries occur in the kitchen.

Black and Decker: brand name of a popular line of household and workshop appliances.
Blender: the American word for electric mixer
Cookbook: a book with instructions on how to cook various types of food.
Cuisinart: brand name of a type of food processor.
Dishwashing liquid: washing up liquid
Freezer: an electric cold storage used to keep things colder than normal refrigerator.
Frigidaire: brand name of a type of electric refrigerator.
Spatula: an implement with a broad, flat, usually flexible blade, used for blending foods or
removing them from cooking utensils, mixing drugs, spreading plasters and points, etc.

Terms in the Yard:

Gardening shears: a scissors-like tool used to cut back bushes. ‘She severed her middle
finger while clipping a hedge with gardening shears.’
Bushes: a name for small full plants.
Lawn mower: a hand-operated or motor-driven machine for cutting the grass of a lawn.
Also called mower. ‘The patient's foot was run over by a lawn mower.’
Orchard: an area of land devoted to the cultivation of fruit or nut trees.
Porch: small veranda.
Power saw: a motor-driven saw. ‘He stepped on an upturned rake in his back yard, and the
handle swung up and hit him in the face.’
Rake: a yard tool used to clear leaves from the yard.
Shrubs/shrubbery: a term for small plants lining the yard.
Snow shovel: a shovel designed to move snow. ‘The patient injured his back while shoveling
snow.’
Sprinkler: a perforated ring or small stand with a revolving nozzle to which a hose is
attached for watering a lawn with a fine, even spray.
Weed whacker: hand-held motor-driven device that uses spinning fishing line to cut down
weeds.

Other parts of the house:

Bathroom
Bidet: a bathroom fixture used for bathing the external parts of the genitals and the posterior
parts of the body.
Cotton ball: cotton wool
Hot tub: a wooden tub, usually large enough to accommodate several persons, that is filled
with hot aerated water and often equipped with a thermostat and whirlpool; used for
recreation or physical therapy and often placed out of doors.
Jacuzzi: a brand name of a whirlpool bath.
Whirlpool: a bath in which the body is immersed in heated, swirling water for therapy or
relaxation.

Living Room/ Den

Coffee table: a low table, usually placed in front of a sofa, for holding ashtrays, snack bowls,
glasses, magazines, etc. Also called cocktail table.
Fireplace: a place to build a fire within the house.
Sofa: comfortable seat for several people. Also couch
Upholstery: the materials used to cushion and cover furniture.

Bedroom

Comforter: a quilt, often filled with goose down or eiderdown.

Bureau: a chest of drawers for storing clothing.
Dresser: a chest of drawers for storing clothing.
Headboard: the part of the bed against the wall behind one's head.
Closet: a place for storing clothes.

Laundry Room

Clothespin: a device, such as a forked piece of wood or plastic, for fastening articles to a
clothesline.
Detergent: soap
Drier: a machine used to dry clothes.
Dust Buster/Dirt Devil: brand name of two popular small hand-held vacuum cleaners.
Hoover: brand name of a type of vacuum cleaner.
Laundromat: a place with multiple washers and dryers for washing clothes outside of the
house.
Vacuum cleaner: an electrical appliance for cleaning carpets, floors, etc., by suction. Also
called vacuum sweeper or vac.
Washing machine/washer: a machine used to wash clothes.

Temperature Control

Furnace: an appliance which generates heat to heat houses, offices, etc.

Radiator: a metal heater, which is based on the theory of heat radiation.
Solar heater: a heater powered by the sun.
Thermostat: a device used to regulate the temperature within the house.
Wood burning stove: a stove used to heat a house by burning wood.

Windows:

Screen: a frame holding a mesh of wire, cloth, or plastic, for placing in a window or
doorway, around a porch, etc., to admit air but exclude insects. <screened-in porch, screen
door>
Skylight: a window in the ceiling, which allows light to enter the house from above.
Venetian blinds: a form of window covering

House Pets and Other Animals

Catfish: any of various fishes having a fancied resemblance to a cat, used primarily in
Southern and Cajun/Creole cooking.
German shepherd: Alsatian.
Goldfish: a small yellow or orange fish that is often kept in fishbowls or aquariums.
Groundhog: woodchuck, a stocky burrowing rodent that hibernates in the winter.
Horseback riding: there are two styles of horseback riding: Eastern (sidesaddle) and
Western.
Opossum: a prehensile-tailed marsupial of the eastern U.S. The female has an abdominal
pouch in which its young are carried, and they are noted for the habit of feigning
unconsciousness or death when in danger.
Pit bull: a type of English terrier.
Polecat: any of various North American skunks.
Poodle: one of a breed of very active dogs having long, thick, frizzy or curly hair usually
trimmed in standard patterns, occurring in three varieties - standard, miniature, and toy.
Rabid: affected with rabies which is an infectious disease of dogs, cats, and other animals,
transmitted to humans by the bite of an infected animal and usually fatal if prophylactic
treatment is not administered.
Raccoon: a nocturnal carnivore having a mask-like black stripe across the eyes, a sharp
snout, and a bushy, ringed tail.
Rottweiler: one of a German breed of large, powerful dogs having a short, coarse, black coat
with tan to brown markings.
Salmon-colored: a light yellowish-pink
Seal-like: resembling the harsh, barking sound that a seal makes.
Skunk: A skunk is a small black animal with a white stripe down its back that produces a
strong, unpleasant smell as a defense when threatened.

DO YOU KNOW THESE CLICHES?

Drunk as a skunk: Intoxicated. <An ambulance was called to the Dew Drop Inn where the
patient was lying in a booth drunk as a skunk>
Eat a horse: to exhibit extreme hunger. <The patient said that she was so hungry, she could
have eaten a horse>
Raccoon eyes: A raccoon is a small grayish-brown animal with a thick furry tail and black
marking on its face, especially dark circles around its eyes. The same look (two black eyes)
occurs in humans as a result of trauma. <The patient was punched in the face and,
consequently, has raccoon eyes>
 CHAPTER 5
Section 2: American Family

In America, family is considered very important and very personal. The family is a place
where people with some thread of relationship stay together and share together. It is
usually considered impolite to ask questions about a person’s family especially if they are
meeting for the first time.

Birth father/mother: same as biological parent

Single parent: A parent who is either unmarried or divorced and not remarried.
Immediate family: being next in relation, as in the parent, child or sibling of (as opposed to
extended family).
Significant other: a spouse or lover; life partner
Blended family: a family composed of a couple and their children from previous
relationships or marriages.
Family of origin: biological family.
Custody: a legally appointed charge or care for a child (single custody or joint custody).
Fiancé: a man to whom a woman is engaged.
Fiancée: a woman to whom a man is engaged.
Ex-wife, ex-husband: former spouse
Partner: a common term for a spouse or significant other.
Divorcee: a divorced woman.
Divorce: a divorced man
Foster care: the supervision of orphans, abandoned children, or delinquents, in an
institution, group home, or private home, usually arranged through an agency that provides
remuneration for expenses.
Extended family: one’s family including aunts, uncles, cousins, in-laws, and sometimes-close
friends and colleagues.
Guardian: a person who has taken the responsibility of or cares for a minor.
Nuclear family: a social unit composed of father, mother, and children.
Family conflicts: quarrels, disagreements, etc. between family members, usually of an
extended nature.
Half brother/ sister: a sibling having only one common parent.

Stepparent: the spouse of one’s mother or father.

 CHILDREN AND BABIES

Following are terms associated with babies and children. These range from food to
behavior and are common in reports with pediatric patients

Age-appropriate behavior: activities that are deemed suitable for the particular age of a
child.
Baby carriage: a conveyance similar to an infant's crib set on four wheels and meant to be
pushed. Also called baby buggy, carriage.
Baby sitter: someone hired to take charge of a child while the parents are temporarily away.
Brat: an annoying, impolite, or spoiled child.
BRAT: acronym for bananas, rice, applesauce, and toast diet, often recommended for
children.
Caretaker: a person who takes care of another.
Car seat: a restraint for babies and children used in a car for safety.
Childcare: the care or supervision of another's child, especially at a day care center.
Crib: a child's bed with enclosed sides.
Day care: supervised daytime care for preschool children (also the elderly or those with
chronic disabilities) usually provided at a center outside the home.
Diapers: cloth or paper underclothing for babies (also called nappies and pampers).
Diaper service: a business which picks up soiled nappies from someone's house and delivers
clean ones.
Fetal alcohol syndrome: a variable cluster of birth defects that may include facial
abnormalities, growth deficiency, mental retardation, and other impairments, caused by the
mother's consumption of alcohol during pregnancy. Abbreviated as FAS.
Formula: a special nutritive mixture, especially of milk, sugar, and water, in prescribed
proportions for feeding a baby.
Nanny: a person who cares for a child full time and usually lives in the family home.
Nursery school: a pre-kindergarten school for children from about three to five years of age
(also pre-school).
Pacifier: a rubber or plastic device often shaped into a nipple, for a baby to suck or bite on
(also called a soother).
Pre-school: a pre-kindergarten school for children from about three to five years of age
(also nursery school).
Rattle: a baby's toy filled with small pellets that makes a noise when shaken.
Shaken-baby syndrome: a usually fatal condition of abused infants brought on by violent
shaking by the arms or shoulders that causes severe internal bleeding, especially around the
brain and in the eyes.
Solids: a term used to indicate food that is not liquid.
Stroller: a four-wheeled, often collapsible, chair-like carriage in which small children are
pushed.
Sudden infant death syndrome: death from the sudden cessation of breathing (apnea) of a
seemingly healthy infant, almost always during sleep, sometimes traceable to a chronic
oxygen deficiency. Abbreviated as SIDS. Also called crib death.
Surrogate mother: (i) a person who acts in the place of another person's biological mother
or (ii) a woman who helps a couple to have a child by carrying to term an embryo which is
conceived by the couple and transferred to her uterus or (iii) by being inseminated with the
man's sperm and either donating the embryo for transfer to the woman's uterus or carrying
it to term.
Teething: a stage of development in which a baby's teeth are first breaking through the
gums.
Wean: to accustom a child to food other than its mother's milk.
 CHAPTER 6

THE WORKPLACE
The American work force can be categorized as either blue collar, white collar, or pink collar.
Blue collar is defined as a wage-earning laborer, such as a mechanic or longshoreman, who
wears work clothes or other specialized clothing on the job. White collar is defined, as
belonging to the ranks of salaried office and professional workers whose role is generally
executive and managerial. Pink collar refers to the class of semi-professional, wage –
earning workers, generally office workers, such as secretary, whose role is generally
administrative.
Following is a list of common professions with which to familiarize yourself. Try to
determine whether the job is blue collar, white collar, or pink collar.

AA (administrative assistant) Navy Seal (a member of an elite Navy unit)

Bag boy (person who packs groceries in Newscaster

brown bags)

Barber PA (personal assistant)

Busboy (one who removes dirty dishes and Paralegal (legal assistant)
resets the table in a restaurant)

Cab driver Parking lot attendant

Cashier Police officer

CEO (chief executive officer) R&D (research & development)

Chauffeur (driver) Ranch hand

Clergy (religious leader) Realtor (real estate agent)

Coal miner Rent-a-cop (private security, bodyguard)

Concierge (a usually multilingual hotel staff Repo man (repossessor)
member who handles luggage and mail,
makes reservations and arranges tours for
the guests)

Construction worker Rescue squad

Corrections officer (an officer who Reservations clerk

oversees an offender’s treatment and
rehabilitation through a program involving
penal custody, parole, and probation)

Cowboy (one who tends cattle or horses, Road crew

usually a mounted cattle ranch hand)

DDS (dentist) Sales clerk

Dry cleaner Scab (a union member who refuses to

strike or returns to work before a strike
has ended; a worker who accepts
employment or replaces a union worker
during a strike)

EMT (emergency medical technician) Security guard

Flight attendant (stewardess) Server (one who serves food and drink;
one that serves legal processes upon
another; the celebrant’s assistant at low
mass)

Forklift operator Smokejumper (a forest fire fighter who

parachutes to locations otherwise difficult
to reach)

Gas station attendant Sous chef (assistant chef)

Home health aide Sportscaster

Home healthcare worker Stand-up comic (comedian who performs

live)

Housekeeping section State trooper (state police officer)

Lawyer Stock boy (a person who takes inventory in

a departmental store, supermarket, or
factory)

Lifeguard Talk show host

Logger Ticket taker

Longshoreman (one who loads and Trucker

unloads ships at a seaport)

LPN (nurse) Visiting nurse

Mailman/postman Waiter

Maintenance worker (one who looks after Waitress

upkeep of property and equipment)

Mechanic Waitron ( a politically correct term for a

waitress)

Wells Fargo

Wine steward (a person in a restaurant

who recommends and serves wine)
Here is a list of words that are used when one is fired from one’s job:

Laid off
Canned
Got the boot
Got the ax
Pink slip
Down-sized
Exploring vocational alternatives
 MEDICAID AND MEDICARE

Medicaid is a joint federal-state program that funds medical care for the poor. The
requirements for receiving Medicaid and the scope of care available vary widely from state
to state. At a cost of about $156 thousand million a year, Medicaid is the nation's largest
social welfare program.

Medicare, another form of federal health insurance, pays a large part of the medical bills
incurred by Americans who are 65 and older or who are disabled, regardless of age. A
portion of the Social Security tax finances Medicare, by premiums paid by recipients, and by
federal funds. Medicare covers everyone who receives Social Security payments.

Welfare: The aid the government gives to families living below the poverty line.

Food Stamps: are ‘coupons’ distributed by the government to needy families to purchase
food at subsidized rates.

Unemployment Check: This is a payment the government gives to those people between
jobs and are looking for employment.
Insurance
Deductible
Home Care
Home Help
Meals on Wheels

Medical Record Number

Medivac
Over the Counter
Wound Care Center
Insurance Claim
Patient Record

IN A HOSPITAL

Following is a list of words you would hear in a hospital:

Surgery Hall Wheelchair Physician’s Assistant
Gurney ER: R.A.
Lab Tests. OR: Rooms, Wards, Units
STAT Follow-up On call
ICU Inpatient Stretcher
Pediatrics ward Outpatient Rescue Squad
Admission IV
Discharge Cancer Care Unit
 CHAPTER 8

Personal Habits and Crime

Section1: Drugs, Smoking and Alcohol

DRUGS

Although many prescription or over-the-counter drugs can be abused, we will focus

on illegal substances.
Acid/LSD – a hallucinogenic drug that produces psychotic symptoms similar to those of
schizophrenia (a mental disorder). <LSD is sometimes sold in blotter acid form which is a
small square of paper soaked in lysergic acid diethyl amide and usually printed with a
cartoon character, a symbol, song lyrics, etc.>
Addict: a person who is physiologically or psychologically dependent on an addictive
substance, as alcohol or a narcotic. <She tested HIV-positive a few years ago. She used to be
a drug addict. >
Cannabis/ganja/grass/marijuana/pot/dope/weed/reefer – dried leaves and buds of the
hemp plant that yield THC and are smoked for their intoxicating effects. <Hand rolled
marijuana cigarettes are called ‘joints’. Being under the influence of pot is referred to as
being ‘stoned’>
Chemical dependency: addiction to drugs or alcohol. <Patient admits to chemical
dependencies. >
Cocaine/coke – a white powder obtained from coca leaves that are used illegally for its
euphoric effects, which may result in a compulsive psychological, need. <Cocaine can be
snorted or smoked through a special water pipe which is referred to as freebasing.>
Crack – highly purified cocaine in small chips used illegally usually for smoking, highly
addictive. <A person who smokes crack is referred to as a crack head. A dwelling where
people congregate to sell and/or smoke crack is referred to as a crack house>
Cut/step on – to dilute drugs. <In order to make more money, drug dealers will often step
on drugs with cheaper substances. For example, a kilo of cocaine can be cut with talcum
powder and sold as a kilo and a half>
E/Ecstasy – a drug used for its mood – enhancing and hallucinogenic properties. <Many
young people at all-night raves take E.>
Fix – an injection of drugs. <Heroin addicts may resort to crime in order to buy their fixes.>
Flip out – become psychotic or irrational. <Some people flip out when they take the
hallucinogens peyote or mescaline.>
Get high – to experience the effects of drugs, especially marijuana. <Alan gets high every
day before class so he has built up quite a tolerance.>
Heroin – a strongly addictive narcotic that is usually injected (but can be smoked) for its
euphoric effects. <He has been a recipient of multiple traumas from truck and car accidents
and falls while intoxicated or under the influence of heroin or cocaine.>
Huffing – inhaling solvents from a bag. <Some people become addicted to huffing paint or
household cleaners.>
IV- means the same as it does when it is used for medication. <Patient has a history of IV
drug abuse, so he is in a high-risk category for AIDS>
Kick/kick the habit – to stop using drugs. <Lola kicked the heroin habit; she has been clean
for one year now.>
Narcotic – a substance causing one to sleep or become very relaxed and feel no pain . In
small doses, opium, a narcotic, merely dulls the senses but in large doses can cause coma,
convulsions, or death.<Narcotics Anonymous (NA) is a 12-step program that has helped
many people to overcome their addictions.)>
OD – overdose on drugs, especially fatally. <Sid Vicious O D’ed on heroin while out on bail
on the charge of murdering his girlfriend>
opiate – a drug containing opium (obtained from poppy seeds) that is used for its narcotic
effects. <The patient, a known junkie, was given a urine test for opiates that showed up
positive>
PCP/angel dust – a veterinary anesthetic that is used illegally as a psychedelic drug. <When
phencyclidine is used for its proper purpose, it is a veterinary anesthetic. When used
illegally by people, it is referred to as angel dust or PCP>
poppers – a vial of amyl nitrite (a vasodilator) that is inhaled illicitly as an aphrodisiac.
<Poppers are popular in gay nightclubs.>
Shoot up – to inject drugs. <Mainlining heroin is shooting up heroin directly into the vein.>
Snort – to inhale cocaine through the nose. <People sometimes roll up a dollar bill and use it
as a straw to snort cocaine>
Speed – amphetamines. <A speedball is a dose of cocaine mixed with heroin, morphine, or
an amphetamine and usually taken by injection. A speedball killed actor John Belushi>
Substance abuse – long-term, pathological use of alcohol or drugs, characterized by daily
intoxication, inability to reduce consumption, and impairment in social or occupational
functioning; broadly, alcohol or drug addiction. <Patient has been a poly substance abuser
since his teenage years.>
To come down – to come to the end of a drug experience. <Many people fear coming down
from coke as it sometimes produces overwhelming feeling of loneliness and despair>
Toke – a puff on a marijuana cigarette or pipe. <The patient insisted that he was not high
because there were only a couple of tokes left on the roach>
Tracks/track marks – a row of needle marks on the skin from shooting drugs. <She denied
being an active user but the new track marks on her arms gave her away.>
Tripping – to be under the influence of drugs, especially hallucinogenic ones. <The patient
was tripping on PCP when brought into ER, and it took four nurses to subdue him>
User – a person who uses drugs. Especially as an abuser or an addict. <Since Charles only
snorted coke on the weekends, he did not consider himself a habitual user>

SMOKING

Many Americans do not want people around them to smoke. In fact, smoking in public
places is often illegal. If you do not see ashtrays around you, ask if you can smoke. Usually,
you may not smoke in the rest room. Here are some words associated with smoking.
Chewing tobacco: tobacco, in form of plug, usually flavored, for chewing rather than
smoking.
Second hand smoke/passive smoking: smoke from a cigarette, cigar, or pipe that is
involuntarily inhaled, especially by nonsmokers.
Nicoderm Patch: a patch worn on the arm, which releases nicotine slowly into the blood
stream. People who try to quit smoking use patches.
Snuff: a preparation of tobacco, either powdered and taken into the nostrils by inhalation or
ground and placed between the cheek and gum. <the patient has a history of dipping snuff>
Nicotine: highly toxic, addictive chemical found in cigarettes.

ALCOHOL
Wine and beer are popular with dinner or at evening get-togethers.

You must be 21 or older to buy any alcoholic drink in a liquor store, supermarket, or bar or
nightclub. If you look young, you may need to show an ID, such as a driver’s license, that
displays your age.

12-step program: based on a program for recovery from addiction originating with
Alcoholics Anonymous and providing 12 progressive levels toward attainment.
bouncer: a person who is employed at a bar, nightclub, etc., to eject disorderly persons.
<Bouncers have a dangerous job as inebriated people often become violent when asked to
leave a bar>
on the house: free. <Randy was regular at the Connecticut Bar so every third drink was on
the house>
scotch: whiskey produced in Scotland. <Dewars scotch is the most popular brand in
America>
AA/Alcoholics Anonymous: an organization of alcoholics whose purpose is to stay sober
and help others recover from the disease of alcoholism. Often abbreviated as AA.
bourbon: a type of whiskey made from corn. <Jim Beam and Jack Daniel’s are brand names
of bourbon made in Kentucky and Tennessee.>
package store: a liquor store. Also called packie. <The patient is underage but managed to
buy alcohol at a local package store.>
A le: a type of beer. <Much ale is brewed at microbreweries.>
A cold one: slang for an alcoholic drink, especially a beer. <Dana likes to have a few cold
ones while watching football at the sports bar.>
wine: alcohol made from fruit, especially grapes. <A new trend in drinking is the
consumption of bottled wine coolers or wine spritzers, which are lower in alcohol content
and taste almost like a soda.>
brandy: an alcoholic beverage distilled from wine or fermented from fruit juice.
<Courvoisier is an expensive brandy.>
party: used as a verb the word “party” usually means to stay out late, drink heavily, etc.
rum: alcohol made from sugar cane. <A rum and coke with lime is also called a Cuba libber.>
<Malibu rum is a popular brand of coconut-flavored rum.>
A fifth: a fifth of a gallon (.757 liter) <Sid bought a fifth of whiskey and some mixers at the
package store>
champagne: a white sparkling wine. <Technically for a sparkling wine to be called
champagne, it must have been produced in Champagne, France.>
Breathalyzer: device that is used to determine the alcohol content of a motorist’s breath
sample. <The doctor detected no alcohol on breath but the breathalyzer showed an alcohol
content over the legal limit>
reek: to give off a strong, unpleasant odor. <Patient reeks of alcohol.>
cognac: a type of brandy distilled from white wine. <Hennessey is a popular brand
of cognac>
hard liquor: basically any spirits other than beer or wine. <Some people mistakenly believe
that you can’t be an alcoholic if you avoid hard liquor >
rehabilitation: to work towards restoring a condition of good health, ability to work, or the
like, especially used to refer to overcoming an addiction to drugs and/or alcohol. <He was
discharged to his mother’s home and then to a River’s Edge program for rehabilitation once
again.>
Bar fly: slang for a person who spends too much time in bars. <Mickey Rourke starred in a
movie called Barfly  based on works by the author Charles Bukowski>
draft: beer that is pulled from a keg; not bottled. <Joshua stopped for a plate of buffalo
wings and a couple of drafts after work.>
hazing: subjecting someone to harassment or humiliation as part of an initiation ritual;
ragging. <The patient, a freshman at UCONN, was forced to drink a case of beer during a
fraternity hazing.>
sherry: a fortified wine. <Most sherry is produced in Spain>
Beer: a carbonated alcoholic drink. <In addition to many types of beers brewed at
microbreweries, there are many brands of mass-produced beers in America: Miller high Life,
Coors, Budweiser, Heineken.> <Light beers are lower in calories and alcohol than regular
beers.>
ethanol: medical term for alcohol. <Approximately 90% of ethanol reaches the liver where
it is metabolized, and the other 10% is excreted unchanged in breath, sweat, and urine.>
<This is a 43-year-old black female with a past medical history significant for ethanol
abuse>
inebriated: drunk, intoxicated. <The man was extremely inebriated and kept yelling, <If you
want a piece of me, come and get it.>
stout: a type of beer. <The most popular type of stout in America is Guinness, which is
produced in Ireland>
binge: a period or bout, usually brief, of excessive indulgence, as in eating, drinking alcoholic
beverages, etc.; spree. <Samantha doesn’t drink during the week but she binges on the
weekends.>
gimlet: a cocktail made with gin or vodka, sweetened lime juice, and sometimes soda water.
<The patient is a social drinker, usually only having a gimlet or two at parties.>
lager: a type of beer. <Lager is lighter is taste and color than ale or stout>
support group: a group of people who meet regularly to support or sustain each other by
discussing problems affecting them in common, as alcoholism or bereavement.
Black out: to undergo a temporary loss of consciousness or memory due to excessive
drinking or drug taking. <After he drank a six-pack of beer, Lou blacked out. The next
morning, he couldn’t remember how he got home from the party.>
gin: alcohol made from juniper berries. <Many people drink gin and tonics during the
hot summer months.>
long neck: slang for a bottle of beer. <The patient was depressed and used a broken
longneck to slash her wrists.>
tequila: a type of alcohol made from cactus. <A tequila sunrise is a cocktail made from
tequila, orange juice, and grenadine.> <The best margaritas are made with Jose Cuervo
tequila.>
Booze: hard liquor (noun), to drink especially excessively (verb). <Billy, who is a boozer,
drank a lot of booze on the booze cruise in the Boston harbor.>
happy hour: a period of time during which the price of drinks at a bar is reduced. <With
stricter drunk driving laws in effect, happy hours are mostly a thing of the past>
martini: a cocktail made with gin or vodka and dry vermouth, usually served with a green
olive or a twist of lemon peel. <James bond always drinks his martinis ‘shaken not stirred.>
vodka: a colorless liquor made from grain. <Many people drink Smirnoff vodka because they
believe it to be odorless and, therefore, less likely to be detected on their breath.>
whiskey: liquor distilled from grain. <Popular brands of whiskey include Jameson, Johnny
Walker, and Seagram’s.>
 CHAPTER 8

Section 2: Crime and Courts

CRIME AND THE COURTS

Stab: to pierce with a knife. <A new stab wound incision was made medial> <One of the
assailants stabbed him on the posterior aspect of his right shoulder>
Federal correctional institute: federal prison, federal penitentiary.
Rape: an act of sexual intercourse that is force upon a person. <Carjacking: the forcible
stealing of a vehicle from a motorist>.
To mug: to assault or menace, especially with the intention of robbery.
Court mandate: court order. <The patient is court mandated to complete treatment>
CMA: acronym for curt-mandated for admission
Date rape: sexual intercourse forced by a man upon a woman whom he knows or with
whom he has a date.
Drive-by: slang for a drive-by shooting: <The gang member was killed in a drive-by>
Consensual intercourse: sexual activity that is agreed to by both partners.
Drop-a-dime: anonymous program that allows the public to inform the police of crimes.
Ghetto/inner city: a section of a city, especially, a thickly populated slum area, inhabited
predominantly by members of an ethnic or other minority group, often as a result of social
or economic restrictions, pressures, or hardships.
AK-47: a type of sub-machine gun.
Good Samaritan: a person who gratuitously gives help or sympathy to those in distress.
Also, Good Samaritan.
Stalk: to pursue a person in an obsessive manner. <Patient was stalked by her ex-boyfriend
for months before he attacked her>
Detention order: court order, which allows a person to be confined. <This is a 33-year-old,
divorced white male presenting to the hospital with a detention order stating that the
patient is dangerous to himself, but not to others.>
Hazing: subjection to harassment or ridicule, ragging.
b.b.gun/B.B. gun: type of gun that shoots small round pellets.
Incarcerate: to imprison; confine.
Outreach program: concerned with extending community services, benefits, etc. <an
educational outreach program>
PD: police department
Hood: slang for neighborhood
Pull: to draw out (as a knife or gun) for ready use (usually followed by on). <Do you know
what to do when someone pulls a knife on you>.
Skinny-dip: to swim in the nude. <On the first warm spring day, the boys played hooky to go
skinny-dipping>
To play hooky: unjustifiable absence from school, work, etc. (usually used in the phrase play
hook). <On the first warm spring day, the boys played hooky to go fishing>
 CHAPTER 9

EDUCATION IN AMERICA

A huge variety of educational training is available in the US. Education may begin with pre-
nursery and continue through a doctorate or post doctorate degree. The educational
progression is given below.

1. Pre-nursery school
 age 3 years
 3 hours long

2. Nursery
 age 4 years
 3 to 4 hours long

Nursery Schools

Usually, the school year begins in September and ends in early June.

3. Kindergarten

In the United States primary education is mandatory for children aged five years. At this
age, they attend kindergarten for half day, and return home for lunch.

4. Primary or Elementary School

 Elementary education runs from grades one through six, and the students are between
the ages of six and 11.

5. Junior High School/Middle School – the first part of secondary education:

 Junior high school comprises grades 7 and 8, and the students are 12 and 13 years
old.

6. High School – the second part of secondary education: children are legally obligated
to attend school until the age of 16.
 High school comprises grades 9 to 12.
 A 9th grader is called a freshman.
 A 10th grader is called a sophomore.
 An 11th grader is called a junior.
A 12th grader is called a senior.
 CHAPTER 10

FOOD

Types of Food

Food is mentioned often in medical transcription. Many emergency room cases involve
food poisoning, allergic reactions to food, or simple indigestion. The doctor will often ask
the patient what he or she had to eat as their last meal. Additionally, doctors are often
interested in the patient’s daily diet.

FAST FOOD/BAR FOOD

Ranch dressing: buttermilk dressing
Bleu cheese dressing: salad dressing or dip for buffalo wings
Buffalo wings/chicken wings: spicy (Tabasco sauce) chicken drumsticks eaten as finger food.
Mozzarella: a type of cheese
Chicken finger: breaded, deep-fried chicken strips
Big Mac: double-decker hamburger from McDonald’s.
Chicken McNuggets: McDonald’s version of chicken finger.
Sesame seed bun: round, sliced sandwich bread with sesame seeds on top.
Whopper: hamburger from Burger King

AMERICAN FOOD
BLT: a bacon, lettuce, and tomato sandwich
brownie: a small rich cake made with chocolate and nuts
Quiche (keesh): baked open pie filled with a mixture of eggs and milk with bacon, cheese,
etc.
Potato salad: cold cooked potatoes mixed with either a vinaigrette or mayonnaise dressing
bouillon (bull-yawn): seasoned broth
Hero: type of sandwich
cookie: a sweet biscuit
cornmeal/cornbread: a meal ground from corn/the bread made from such a meal
crudités (crew-di-tay): raw vegetables served as hors d’oeuvres
Dagwood sandwich: large, multi-layered sandwich
Ketchup (catch-up): tomato sauce
Danish: a sweet pastry
1000 Island dressing: a mayonnaise-based salad dressing/sandwich spread
Egg nog: punch of eggs, cream, and, usually rum, and served in the Christmas-New Year
period
condiment: any substance such as salt and pepper or mustard, ketchup, etc. used to flavor
food.
Grinder: another name for a submarine sandwich
corn dog: hot dog on stick, covered with cornmeal and deep-fried
Hollandaise sauce (hall-en-days): rich butter, lemon, and egg sauce
Tartar sauce: sauce mainly composed of mayonnaise and pickles, usually used with seafood
Hot dog: long, mild sausage served in a soft bread roll, often with mustard, ketchup, onions,
and pickle relish
Hush puppy: a small piece of deep-fried batter with chopped onions, often served with fish
Jawbreaker: large, hard sucking candy
Jell-O: name of a brand of gelatin (jelly)
Licorice: red or black chewy stick candy
(Boston) baked beans: a type of white beans cooked in a tomato sauce
Macaroni and cheese (mac and cheese): baked dish of elbow macaroni and melted cheddar
cheese
Onion rings: slices of onion batter-dipped and deep-fried, usually served with ketchup
Pasta salad: cold, cooked pasta usually mixed with vegetables and either a vinaigrette or
Pickle: either sliced or whole cucumbers preserved in vinegar, sometimes chopped and
served as a relish
croissant (crew-sant OR kwa-sant)- flaky, crescent-shaped roll
Popsicle: colored, flavored water frozen on a stick
Hoagie: name for a submarine sandwich (especially in Pennsylvania)
Pretzel: a crisp salty biscuit shaped either like a stick or a knot, usually spread with mustard
Tabasco: brand name of a very spicy red sauce made from spices and jalapenos

BREAKFAST
French toast: bread dipped in an egg batter and fried, usually topped with syrup
Pancakes: a cake made of cooked batter in a frying pan, usually eaten with maple syrup
Egg Beaters: artificial food that is lower in cholesterol than real eggs
Corned beef: beef preserved in salt
Waffle: a crisp cake made of cooked batter with a pattern of squares on it
English muffin: bread dough rolled and cut into rounds, baked on a griddle, and split and
toasted before eating
Bacon: cured meat from the back or sides of a pig (rasher)
Hash: a dish of cooked meat cut into small pieces and cooked again together with potatoes
and onions
Home fries/hash browns: a dish of cooked potatoes cut into small pieces and fried with
onions, peppers, etc.
Maple syrup: sweet topping for waffles, etc. made from the sap of a maple tree
Oatmeal: a hot breakfast cereal
Bagel: a round doughnut-shaped bread usually eaten with cream cheese
Eggs Benedict: poached eggs served on an English muffin and topped with hollandaise sauce

VEGETABLES
Artichoke: a round, green vegetable mainly composed of thick green leaves surrounding a
solid center
Asparagus: young, green shoots (stalks and tops eaten as a vegetable)
Broccoli: a vegetable similar to cauliflower except green in color
Brussel sprouts: tiny cabbage-like vegetable
Eggplant: aubergine
Fennel: licorice-flavored vegetable
Pumpkin: a large orange vegetable used mostly in pies and soups
Spud/tater: a vegetable similar to a small onion with a very strong taste
Squash: any of several large long or round vegetables with thick skins, such as pumpkin
Yams/sweet potatoes: edible root similar to a white potato except orange in color
Zucchini: courgette

MEAT-RELATED TERMS
Canadian bacon
Filet mignon (fi-lay-min-yon)
Pork chop
Pork tenderloin
Prime rib
Rack of lamb
Sirloin
Spare ribs
Steak
T-bone steak
Veal

Spam: a type of meat made from chopped, cooked ham that comes in cans and is usually
served cold
Cure/smoke: to treat meat or fish with salt, smoke, etc. in order to preserve it and to give it
a special taste
Surf-n-turf: meal of seafood (surf) and meat, usually beef (turf)
Pastrami: smoked beef with a strong flavor
Ground beef: beef that has been minced, usually used in pasta sauces, meat loaves,
meatball, hamburgers, etc.
Meat loaf: a dish of ground beef seasoned and baked in the form of a loaf of bread
Turkey: a large fowl, usually eaten at Thanksgiving and Christmas
Barbecue (noun): metal frame used for cooking meat, etc,. over an open fire’ an outdoor
meal or party at which food is cooked in this way; or the food cooked in this way
Rotisserie: an appliance fitted with a spit on which food is rotated over a source of heat
Sausage: a mixture of ground meat and other ingredients in a long thin edible skin. A hot
dog is a type of sausage.
Charbroil: to cook on a rack over hot charcoal
Slim Jim: pencil-shaped stick of smoked, chewy meat

American food may not be noted for its diversity but the types of food available in America
is extremely diverse. We will be looking in-depth at Mexican food and Italian food.

MEXICAN
Salsa: spicy sauce of tomatoes, onions, and hot peppers
Chili (con carne): spicy meat and bean stew
Fajita: grilled meat or vegetable served on a hot skillet with tortillas and various toppings
Tortilla: soft flour or cornmeal pancake
Guacamole: dip whose main ingredient is mashed avocado (butter fruit)
Tex-Mex: shortened form of the adjective Texan-Mexican
Huevos rancheros: eggs mixed with onion, tomatoes, etc.
Taco sauce: thick salsa
Jalapeno (pepper): a small green hot chili
Burrito: a tortilla stuffed with meat, cheese, and/or beans
Nachos: tortilla chips covered with melted cheese, tomatoes, guacamole, etc.
Quesadilla: tortilla sandwich with cheese and meat or vegetables
Refried beans: cooked pinto beans that are fried, mashed, and fried again
Tostada: whole deep-fried tortilla
Chili con queso: melted cheese dip
Taco: fried corn tortilla folded in half and filled with meat, cheese, and/or beans
Chimichanga: a deep-dried tortilla stuffed with meat, cheese and/or beans
Tortilla chips: crunchy deep-dried corneal tortilla pieces

ITALIAN
Lasagna (la-zan-ya): layered pasta and tomato sauce casserole
Cappuccino: espresso coffee mixed with frothy, hot cream
Pine nuts: edible seed of the pine tree
Pepperoni: highly seasoned beef and pork sausage
Cacciatore (ka-cha-tor-e) cooked tomatoes, herbs, wine, etc. (usually chicken cacciatore)
Vinaigrette: sauce/dressing make of oil, vinegar, and herbs
Risotto: Arborio rice cooked in a seasoned stock
Caesar salad: lettuce dressed with olive oil, cheese, anchovies, egg, garlic and croutons
Sun-dried: adjective describing vegetable usually tomato dried in the sun
Caper: small, pickled berry
Carpaccio: thinly sliced, raw meat or fish served with a sauce
Espresso: strong coffee
Focaccia: flat bread usually seasoned with olive oil and herbs
Bruschetta (brew-shetta): toasted bread with any number of toppings
Marinara: pasta sauce made with tomatoes, onion, garlic, and spices
Spaghetti sauce: marinara sauce
Anchovies: small fish
Meatballs: small backs of chopped or ground meat, usually served with pasta and a
marinara sauce

Associated Words
Junk food not considered healthy
Supper the last meal of the day, usually lighter and less formal than dinner
Pureed blended
Free-range adjective used to describe hens or eggs kept or produced in natural conditions as
opposed to in a cage
Diner a small restaurant usually beside a main road
Zap it/nuke it to cook in a microwave
Empty calories food which as no nutritional value
Fat-free adjective used to describe a food, which does not contain vegetable or animal fats.
Chocoholic person who loves chocolate
To go to take away
Greasy spoon slang for a small, cheap restaurant not necessarily dirty
Doggy bag a bag to take leftovers home in
Nosh nah-sh Yiddish word that ca be used as a noun lets go for a nosh light snack
Wild not grown on a farm or raised in captivity, i.e., wild mushrooms, wild turkey
Organically grown: adjective used to describe food grown without artificial chemicals,
fertilizers, etc.
Couch potato derogatory term for a person who watches too much TV, does not get any
exercise, does not read , etc
To chow down/to graze/to inhale/to pig out/to pork out/to wolf down usually conjugated
to eat a great quantity of food rapidly
Deli/delicatessen a store where ready-to-eat food is sold
 CHAPTER 11

AMERICAN HOLIDAYS
January

New Year's Day - January 1. The celebration of this holiday begins the night before,
when Americans gather to wish each other a happy and prosperous coming year.

Epiphany – a Christian festival, observed on January 6, commemorating the

manifestation of Christ to the Gentiles in the persons of the Magi; Twelfth Day.

Martin Luther King Day: The Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr., an African-American
clergyman, is considered a great American because of his tireless efforts to win civil
rights for all people through nonviolent means. Since his assassination in 1968,
memorial services have marked his birthday on January 15. In 1986, that day was
replaced by the third Monday of January, which was declared a national holiday.

February

Groundhog Day – February 2, in most parts of the U.S. the day on which, according
to legend, the groundhog first emerges from hibernation. If it is a sunny day and the
groundhog sees its shadow, six more weeks of wintry weather are predicted.

Chinese New Year – the beginning of the Chinese New Year.

Lincoln’s Birthday – February 12, a legal holiday in some states of the U.S., in honor
of the birth of Abraham Lincoln, the 16th President, who is credited with restoring
the Union during the American Civil War and abolishing slavery.

Valentine’s Day: On February 14, (named after an early Christian martyr), Americans
give presents, usually candy or flowers, to the ones they love. The pink and red
decorations for Valentine’s day start appearing in stores not long after the Christmas
decorations have come down.
 President’s Day: Until the mid-1970s, the February 22 birthday of George
Washington, hero of the Revolutionary War and first president of the United States,
was a national holiday. In addition, the February 12 birthday of Abraham Lincoln, the
president during the Civil War, was a holiday in most states. The two days have been
joined, and the holiday has been expanded to embrace all past presidents. It is
celebrated on the third Monday in February.

March

Mardi Gras – the day before the Christian season of Lent begins in late winter – is a
big occasion in New Orleans, Louisiana, where huge parades and wild revels take
place. As its French name implies (Mardi Gras means “Fat Tuesday,” the last day of
hearty eating before the penitential season of Lent), the tradition goes back to the
city’s settlement by French immigrants.

Ash Wednesday – the first day of Lent.

St. Patrick’s Day - Irish Americans celebrate the old country’s patron saint, St.
Patrick, on March 17; this is a high-spirited day on which many Americans wear
green clothing and drink green- tinted beer in honor of the “Emerald Isle.”

April

April Fool’s Day – April 1, a day when practical jokes or tricks are played on
unsuspecting people. Also called “All Fools’ Day.”

Palm Sunday – the Sunday before Easter, celebrated in commemoration of Christ’s

triumphal entry into Jerusalem.

Good Friday – the Friday before Easter, a holy day for Christians, observed as the
anniversary of the Crucifixion of Jesus.

Purim – a Jewish festival celebrated on the 14 th day of the month of Adar in

commemoration of the deliverance of the Jews in Persia from destruction by Haman.

Passover – also called Pesach, Pesah. A Jewish festival that commemorates the
exodus of the Jews from Egypt and is marked chiefly by the Seder ritual and the
eating of matzoth. It begins on the 14th day of Nisan and is celebrated for eight days
 by Orthodox and Conservative Jews outside of Israel and for seven days by Reform
Jews and Jews in Israel.

Earth Day – observance of environmental protection.

Easter – which falls on a spring Sunday that varies from year to year, celebrates the
Christian belief in the resurrection of Jesus Christ. For Christians, Easter is a day of
religious services and the gathering of family. Many Americans follow old traditions
of coloring hard-boiled eggs and giving children baskets of candy. On the next day,
Easter

Monday, the president of the United States holds an annual Easter egg hunt on the
White House lawn for young children.

Secretaries Day – day to honor Secretaries.

Orthodox Holy Friday – Orthodox Church observance of Good Friday.

Orthodox Easter – Orthodox Church observance of Easter.

May

National Day of Prayer – day dedicated for Prayer.

Mother’s Day – a day, usually the second Sunday in May, set aside in honor of
mothers.

Armed Forces Day – the third Saturday in May, observed in some areas of the U.S. as
a holiday in honor of all branches of the armed forces.

Memorial Day - *Also called Decoration Day. Celebrated on the fourth Monday of
May, this holiday honors the dead. Although it originated in the aftermath of the
Civil War, it has become a day on which the dead of all wars, and the dead generally,
are remembered in special programs held in cemeteries, churches, and other public
meeting places. This day also is the unofficial beginning of summer.
June

Ascension – the 40th day after Easter, commemorating the Ascension of Christ; Holy
Thursday.

Flag Day – June 14, the anniversary of the day (June 14, 1777) when Congress
adopted the Stars and Stripes as the national flag of the United States.
Father’s Day – a day, usually the third Sunday in June, set aside in honor of fathers.

July

Fourth of July – The Fourth of July, or Independence Day, honors the nation's
birthday -- the signing of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776. It is a day
of picnics and patriotic parades, a night of concerts and fireworks. The flying of the
American flag (which also occurs on Memorial Day and other holidays) is
widespread. On July 4, 1976, the 200th anniversary of the Declaration of
Independence was marked by grand festivals across the nation.

September

Labor Day: The first Monday of September, this holiday honors the nation's working
people, typically with parades. For most Americans it marks the end of the summer
vacation season, and for many students the opening of the school year.

Grandparents Day – a day to commemorate grandparents.

October

Rosh Hashanah – a Jewish High Holy Day that marks the beginning of the Jewish
New Year, celebrated on the first and second days of Tishri by Orthodox and
Conservative Jews and only on the first day by Reform Jews.

Columbus Day – a day, October 22, observed as a holiday in various states of the
U.S. in honor of the discovery of the New World by Columbus and his landing in the
West Indies on October 12, 1492; observed in some states as the second Monday in
October.
 Yom Kippur – a Jewish High Holy Day observed on the 10 th day of the month of Tishri
by abstinence from food and drink and by the daylong recitation of prayers of
repentance in the synagogue. Also called “Day of Atonement.”

Halloween - (the evening before All Saints or All Hallows Day), American children
dress up in funny or scary costumes and go "trick- or- treating": - children in
costumes who solicit treats from their neighbors, often by threatening minor pranks
if they are not given treats. The neighbors are expected to respond by giving them
small gifts of candy or money. Adults may also dress in costume for Halloween
parties.

November

All Saints’ Day – a church festival celebrated November 1 in honor of all the saints -
All Hallows’ Day.
Election Day – the first Tuesday in November, when elections are held. In some
states public employees are given a holiday.

Veterans Day - Originally called Armistice Day, this holiday was established to honor
Americans who had served in World War I. It falls on November 11.

Thanksgiving - is the fourth Thursday in November, but many Americans take a day
of vacation on the following Friday to make a four-day weekend, during which they
may travel long distances to visit family and friends.

December

Hanukkah – a Jewish festival lasting eight days, celebrated from the 25 th day of the
month of Kislev to the 2nd of Tevet.

Christmas : December 25, is another Christian holiday; it marks the birth of the
Christ Child. Decorating houses and yards with lights, putting up Christmas trees,
giving gifts, and sending greeting cards have become traditions even for many non-
Christian Americans.

Kwanzaa – a harvest festival celebrated from December 26 th until January 1st in some
African – American communities.
 CHAPTER 12

DRIVING IN AMERICA
PARTS OF A VEHICLE
Seat belt/safety belt - a belt attached to the car seat worn by a passenger to avoid being
thrown forward if an accident happens.
Axle: the center support beam of vehicle
Bald tires - tires which no longer have any tread
Ignition: the keyhole from which one starts the car.
Blinker: blinking signal lights on the exterior of a vehicle used to indicate to intention to turn
Brights: a slang term used to refer to the bright lights used in cases of extreme darkness.
Car seat - safety device; small portable seat which is strapped onto the car seat and the
child is strapped in.
Air bag - a balloon-like safety device consisting of a bag designed to inflate automatically in
front of or beside an occupant in case of collision
Console - dashboard.
Dashboard - the panel with the instruments and controls that faces the driver. Also called
the dash.
Fender - a guard over the wheel of a motor vehicle.
Glove compartment: a small storage space in the front of the car (also called glove box)
Headlight: lights at the front of the car to allow night vision
Blind spot: the place at the left and right of the car where a driver can not see another car in
any of his mirrors.
Shoulder and lap restraints - technical term for safety belt or seat belt.
Hood: the front covering of the car over the engine (common Indian name: bonnet)
Rearview mirror: the mirror placed in the center of the ceiling just above the windshield
used to see cars behind you.
Bucket seats: the seats in a vehicle that are very concave and separate from each other.
Gas - petrol.
Trunk: external, posterior storage space of a vehicle (common Indian names: dickey, boot)
Windshield - windscreen.
Stick shift: the stick-like instruments that allow a driver to change the vehicle's gears (also
called gearshift)
Sunroof: a window in the roof of the car.
Gearshift: the stick-like instrument that allows a driver to change the vehicle's gears (also
called stick shift)
Tailpipe - pipe which carries exhaust from the engine.
Fog lights: the lights on the front of a vehicle used to allow visibility in foggy weather

TYPES OF VEHICLES
Monster trucks: huge trucks with enormous tires that are raced, driven, etc. for
entertainment.
Coup - a 2-door automobile often seating only two persons.
Saloon - a two-door or four door car which seats four or more persons and has a permanent
top.
Dump truck - a truck used to transport bulk material that has a boy which tilts to dump its
contents.
Four-wheel-drive - a type of vehicle in which power is applied to all four wheels.
Harley-Davidson - proper name of an American motorcycle company.
Tow truck: a vehicle equipped with a mechanical apparatus for hoisting and pulling, used to
tow wrecked, disabled, or stalled automobiles. Also called a wrecker.
All-terrain vehicle (ATV) - a four -wheel-drive sports-utility vehicle used for off-road driving.
Pickup truck - a light truck having an enclosed cab and an open back with low sides and a
tailgate.
Convertible - an automobile that has a top that can be lowered or removed.
Sedan - same as saloon.
Semi: the common name for a semi trailer, a large vehicle used to transport materials across
long distances.
Dirt bike: a small motorcycle designed and built with special tires and suspension for riding
on unpaved roads and over rough terrain. Also called trail bike.
Station wagon - an automobile with a passenger seating area which extends to the back of
the vehicle, that has no trunk, that has one or more3 rear seats which fold down to make
room for light cargo, and that has a tailgate.
Sports utility vehicle (SUV): a vehicle that is very rugged and has four-wheel drive.
Hatchback - an automobile whose back consists of a sloped hatch that opens upward (also
the back itself)
 CHAPTER 13

SPORTS, GAMES & RECREATION

Section 1: Sports

BASEBALL: field that has as a focal point a diamond-shaped infield with a home plate and
three other bases.

SOFTBALL: a form of baseball played on a smaller diamond with a larger and softer ball.

FOOTBALL: a game in which two opposing teams of eleven players each defend goals at
opposite ends of a field having goal posts at each end.

BASKETBALL: a game played by two teams of five players each on a rectangular court having
a raised basket or goal at each end, points being scored by tossing the ball through the
opponent’s basket.

Ice Hockey: a game played on ice between two teams of six skaters each, the object being
to score goals by shooting a puck into the opponents cage using a stick with a wooden blade
set at an obtuse angle to the shaft.

Skiing: the act or sport of gliding on skis over snow. Skis are a pair of long, slender runners
made of wood, plastic, or metal.

Snowboarding: the act or sport of gliding on a snow board over snow. A snowboard is a long
board with foot attachments.
Here are a few sports clichés:

A level playing field: a state of equality; an equal opportunity.

In the ballpark: within reasonable, acceptable, or expected limits, <The price may go up
another $10, but that’s still in the ballpark.> or being an approximation, based on an
educated guess. <Give me a ballpark figure on our total expenses for next year.>

It’s a whole new ball game: a completely changed situation <It’s a whole new ball game
now that we have computerized our office.>

Just Do It! advertising slogan for Nike sports equipment.

To skate on thin ice: to take a risk, especially to put forward weak arguments.
To throw a curve ball: to give a surprise<He really threw us a curve ball when he suggested
that we take our business elsewhere.>

Other sports in America

Tennis, Skating, Golf, Sky Diving, Parasailing, Flying, Snow Boarding, Car racing (Indianapolis
500), Mountain Biking/Road Races, Skiing – Downhill & Country Hiking,
Snow mobiling, Racquet Ball, Running Marathons (Boston Marathon), Camping, Kayaking,
Fishing, Surfing, Scuba Diving, Wind Surfing, Rafting, Horse racing, Boogie board, Ice skating,
Mountain climbing, Rock climbing.

Glossary:
Amateur: a player who does not get money for playing a sport.
Cheerleader: a woman or man who marches, dances and leads songs to cheer on the team.
Foul: an action that is not allowed and is usually penalized.
Goal: place, or area, where hockey or soccer teams score.
Playoffs: games at the end of the season, the best teams play each other to determining the
champion.
Professional: player who is paid a salary for being on a team.
 CHAPTER 13

Section 2: Recreation

Aerobics: cardiovascular exercise consisting of a mixture of dancing and jumping to music.

Bingo: a form of lotto in which balls or slips, each with a number and one of the letters B, I,
N, G, or O, are drawn at random. Then the players cover the corresponding numbers printed
on their cards, the winner being the first to cover five numbers in any row or diagonal or,
sometimes, all numbers on the card.
Bowling: a game, which involves throwing a heavy ball down a long wooden aisle at pins
with the intention to knock over the pins.
Couch potato: a person who spends all of their time sitting on their couch watching
television
Hiking: trekking
Hitchhike: to travel by standing on the side of the road and soliciting rides from passing
vehicles, often by sticking out your thumb.
Ice-skating: to glide over ice in shoes with a blade attached to the sole
Ice-skating rink: an area of smooth ice maintained for the purpose of ice skating.
Jazzercise: aerobics exercise to jazzy music
Jungle gym: a playground apparatus consisting of a framework of horizontal and vertical
bars on which children can climb.
Kayaking: a form of boating done on fast moving water in a single person boat called a
kayak.
Negative travel history: signifies that the patient has no traveled to an area (usually
tropical) where he or she might have come in contact with a contagious disease or parasites.
Lego’s: a brand name for brightly colored, interlocking building blocks.
Monkey bars: another name for a jungle gym.
Mountain biking: a form of exercise and recreation in which a person rides a specialized
bike over very rocky and mountainous terrain.
Play-Doh: a brand name for a soft, nontoxic modeling compound made in bright colors and
marketed for children.
Poker: a common card game that involves gambling.
Rave: an all night dance party with loud vibrating music, usually associated with drug use.
Roller blading: a form of roller-skating done on skates with wheels in a single row.
Roller coaster: a small gravity railroad, especially in an amusement park, having a train with
open cars that moves along a high, sharply winding trestle built with steep inclines that
produce sudden, speedy plunges for thrill-seeking passengers.
Sandbox: a box or receptacle for holding sand, especially one large enough for children to
play in.
Sauna: a small wooden room that is kept at a very high temperature with heated rocks used
to make a person sweat
Scrabble: a board game involving words.
Seesaw: playground equipment for two children to balance their weight and move up and
down in opposition.
Slam dancing: a dance performed to punk rock by groups of people who flail, toss
themselves about, and slam into one another; also called a moshing.
Swing set: a piece of playground equipment which usually consists of a seat suspended from
above by means of a loop of rope or between ropes or rods; on which one may sit and swing
to and fro, and a slide.
Whitewater rafting: a form of boating done on a large, inflatable boat down rapidly moving
rivers.
Working out: exercising.
 CHAPTER 14

Section 2: Parts of the body

Following are some commonly used names for different parts of the body

Side burns: the sides of the beard that border the face
Pinkie: the little finger. Also, pinky.
Arch: the indentation on the sole of the foot
Bikini line: the bordering line of a woman’s pubic hair
Butt: buttocks
or the like, formed by the joining of the two legs.
Tummy: informal for stomach.
Crow’s feet: the age lines that appear at the corners of the eye
Ponytail: a hairstyle in which the hair is pulled together and tied at the back of the head
resembling a horse’s tail.
Belly: stomach
Dimple: a slight natural indentation on some parts of the surface of the human body,
usually the cheeks or the chin.
Adam’s apple: a projection of the thyroid cartilage at the front of the neck that is more
prominent in men then in women.
Funny bone: the very tip of the elbow that reacts very strongly to being hit.
Ball of the foot: the pad on the sole of the foot just behind the toes
Goatie: a style of shaping the beard so that the only hair is that which surrounds the lips and
chin like a goat’s beard.
Belly button: the navel
Groin: the fold or hollow on either side of the front of the body where the thigh joins the
abdomen
Spare tire: a slight growth of hair that shows a day or so after shaving.
Index finger: forefinger.
Crotch: the part of human body between the legs or the part of a pair of trousers, panties,
Instep: the arched upper surface of the human foot between the toes and the ankle.
Love handles: a slang term for the rolls of fat on the sides of the abdomen
Pig tails: a hairstyle in which the hair is pulled and tied at either side of the head, usually in
children resembling small pigs’ tails.
Saddle bags: a slang term for the extra fat found beneath the buttocks on some women,
usually that which hangs unusually low.
 CHAPTER 14

Section 3: MENTAL STATE AND BEHAVIOR

Americans also use many slang terms to describe their mental state and behavior.
antisocial:
of or pertaining to a pattern of behavior in which social norms and the rights of others are
persistently violated. <He’s not antisocial, just shy. The patient exhibits antisocial behavior.>
basket case:
a person who is helpless or incapable of functioning normally, especially due to
overwhelming stress, anxiety, or the like. Also anxious mess.

bond:
to establish a close emotional relationship to or with another person. <the special period when
a mother bonds to her infant, the parent-child bond>.

burned out:
exhausted through overwork, stress, or intemperance. <His liver is pretty burned out, has end-
stage liver disease secondary to alcoholic cirrhosis. She is burned out from the stresses of her
new job.>

cling:
to be or to remain close. <clingy behavior>

close-minded:
intolerant of any beliefs or opinions that differ from one’s own. Antonyms: broad-minded,
open-minded.

coerce:
to compel by force or authority. <The patient swallows when coerced.>

compassion fatigue:
a lack of sympathy for suffering, as a result of continuous exposure to those in need of aid.

delusion:
a fixed false belief that is resistant to reason or confrontation with actual fact. <a paranoid
delusion, delusions of grandeur>

drained:
 deprived of strength, tired. <She felt emotionally drained after the birth of her second
child.>

empty nest syndrome:

a depressed state felt by some parents after their children have left home.

freak out:
to enter into a period of irrational behavior or emotional control from extreme excitement,
shock, fear, joy, despair, etc. <Seeing the dead body freaked him out.>

groggy:
staggering, as from exhaustion or blows, or dazed and weakened, as from lack of sleep.

hang-up:
a preoccupation, fixation, or psychological block; a complex. <His hang-up is trying to outdo
his brother. He has many sexual hang-ups.>

hash:
to discuss thoroughly. <The patient wants to hash things out.>

high strung:
to have an extremely nervous or sensitive temperament

hyped up:
intensively or excessively stimulated or exaggerated. <The patient got hyped up during the
Super Bowl>

hyperactive:
over excited; over stimulated; keyed up; seriously or obsessively concerned; fanatical; rabid.
<the patient was anxious, somewhat hyperactive, a bit agitated, and making virtually a
mockery of the examination. The child is hyper.>

inner child:
the childlike aspect of a person’s psyche, especially when viewed as an independent entity.
<This middle-aged patient says that he is trying to get in touch with his inner child.>

inner-directed:
guided by internalized values rather than external pressures. Antonym: outer-directed.

irk:
to annoy, irritate, or exasperate. <It irked him to have to wait for the doctor. He was irked by
the delay in getting the test results.>
laid-back:
relaxed or unhurried; free from stress; easygoing; carefree. <a laid-back way of living>

manipulative:
to manage or influence skillfully, especially in an unfair manner. <He is quite manipulative in
his behavior, however, he does have real disease as well as severe cirrhosis.>

open-minded:
receptive to ideas

pseudo:
a combining form meaning false, pretend, unreal, used in the formation of compound words
(pseudoscientific; pseudo intellectual)

racing thoughts:
thoughts that one does not feel one is in control of; hurried. <He admits to having racing
thoughts, suicidal thoughts, and paranoid ideation believes that people are after him,
especially the police.>

roller coaster:
any phenomenon, period, or experience of persistent or violent ups and downs, as one
fluctuating between prosperity and recession or elation and despair. <The patient has been
on an emotional roller coaster since his divorce.>

safety net:
something that provides a feeling of protection or security. <Women’s shelters are a safety
net for battered women.>

scatterbrained:
feeling incapable of serious, connected thought.

screwed up:
to be confused, anxious, neurotic, <She feels screwed up. She feels that her life is screwed
up.>

second childhood:
a period in which one acts like a child again; senility.

self-destructive:
harmful, injurious, or destructive to oneself <His constant arguing with the boss shows he’s
a self-destructive person.> reflecting or exhibiting suicidal desires or drives. <Careless
driving may be a self-destructive tendency.>

sick to his/her stomach:

queasy, nauseous. <Gastrointestinal: She has been sick to her stomach with no vomiting.>

stressed out:
suffering from high levels of physical or emotional stress.

Stressor:
an activity, event, or other stimulus that causes stress. <There are also stressors about her
house being sold and that her sons have to move, but they are not making any effort.>

temper tantrum:
a violent outburst of rage or frustration.

to be stressed:
to feel mental, emotional, or physical tension or pressure. <The patient is again stressed
that he should be in a rehabilitation program.>

unstable:
to exhibit behavior that is erratic or unpredictable

vex:
to irritate, annoy, provoke. <His noisy neighbors vexed him.>

whine:
to utter a low, usually nasal, complaining cry or sound from uneasiness, discontent,
peevishness, or to complain in a self-pitying way. <I don’t want to sound like a whiner.>

wiped-out:
completely exhausted. <This new mother is wiped-out from caring for her newborn.>

a loose cannon:
Someone whose actions are unpredictable, illogical, and, often, harmful. <The doctor said, “I
hate to release this patient because he is a real loose cannon, and I’m afraid he will harm
himself.”>

a new lease on life:

The chance to live longer or with a higher quality of life. <Since recovering from surgery, he
has a new lease on life.>

a piece of cake:
something easily obtained, finished, accomplished, etc. <The patient thought that lifting the
cinder block would be a piece of cake and, therefore, did not ask for help.>

ASAP:
As soon as possible <If the symptoms worsen, return to the emergency room ASAP.>

AWOL :
Absent without leave (permission). <The patient has gone AWOL from the rehab program at
Cherry Dale.>

blown away:
To be completely astounded or amazed. <The teenager reports that his parents were blown
away when he revealed the whole extent of his drug usage to them.>

buckle down:
To do something, however unpleasant, without fuss. <The patient’s weight is a major
obstacle to a successful recovery. He needs to buckle down and lose weight immediately.>

bummer:
Interjection used for any unpleasant experience, occasion, situation, etc. <The young
patient reports that being in the hospital over school vacation is a real bummer.>

chip on your shoulder:

A grudge or grievance; an unprovoked display of defiance. <For no apparent reason, the
patient has a real chip on his shoulder and refuses to cooperate with any of the medical
staff.>

come clean:
To confess or reveal all, especially after lying or hiding the truth previously. <Nixon never
came clean about Watergate.>
 CHAPTER 14

Section 4: Spelling

Americans spell many words differently from the British.

Rule#1: Americans drop the “u” in many words that have the “ou” combination:
Behavior vs. behaviour
Neighbor vs. neighbour
Color vs. colour
Tumor vs. tumour
Favorite vs. favourite

Rule #2: In many words that end in “-re”, Americans transpose the letters to “-er”.
Center vs. centre
Theater vs. theatre
Fiber vs. fibre

Rule #3: Americans do not necessarily double the final “l” when adding suffixes
such as “er” and “ing”.
Traveler vs. traveller
Counseling vs. counseling

Rule #4: When forming the past, Americans usually use “ed” instead of “t”.
Learned vs. learnt
Burned vs. burnt
Spilled vs. spilt

Rule #5: In many words, Americans use “-ize” or “-ice” in place “-ise”.
Realize vs. realise
Visualize vs. visualise
Rule #6: Americans use an ”e” in many medical words that you might use “ae” or
“oe”.
Fetus vs. foetus
Feces vs. faeces
Hemoglobin vs. haemoglobin
Gynecology vs. gynaecology
Pediatrician vs. paeditrician

Miscellaneous differences:
Aluminum vs. aluminium
Tire vs. tyre
Defense vs. defence
Check vs. cheque
Program vs. programme
Offense vs. offence
 CHAPTER 15

MONEY AND MEASUREMENTS

Section 1: NUMBERS AND MONEY

Following are the main differences between Indian and American number groups:
 There are no American equivalents for the words “lakh” or “crore”.

 Americans count from one thousand through to nine hundred and ninety nine
thousand and then to one million.

1 million = 1,000,000

Question: How many ‘lakhs’ are in a million??

Punctuating numbers
Americans use commas with number in the following way:

1. Do not use a comma when there are only four digits (4000)

2. If a number has five or more digits, starting from the end, put a comma before every
group of three digits. (EX.4,032,294,123).

3. If a number has a decimal point, do not use the comma regardless of the number of
digits (Ex.40237.95)

How it is dictated?:
3,200 : three thousand two hundred or thirty-two hundred
130,000 : a hundred and thirty thousand

Coins

U.S coins are given special names. Their names and values are given below.
25 cents – quarter - $0.25
10 cents – dime - $0.10
5 cents – nickel - $0.05
1 cents – penny - $0.01