101 American Customs: Understanding Language and Culture Through Common Practices

by Harry Collis, Joe Kohl

What is sold at garage sales? Why does no one get wet at a bridal shower? For non-native speakers, here's a humorous approach to understanding common American customs and the expressions related to them. Customs are explained, one to a page, with conversational examples and whimsical cartoons. Topics range from age-old traditions, such as shaking hands and bachelor parties, to more modern American practices--coupon clipping, TV dinners, and tailgate parties.

Genres: Language, Reference, Linguistics, Nonfiction, Textbooks

144 pages, ebook

First published February 9, 1987

Reviews

[Mahsa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not all the idioms are used in your conversations, but still better than having a simple talk to someone. :D

[Zahra Saedi · Rating 3 out of 5]

این دومین کتاب این مجموعه است که فکر می‌کنم در دهه‌های هفتاد و هشتاد بسیار پرطرفدار بود. مثل‌ کتاب اول مجموعه به نظرم حالا با وجود فیلم و سریال و رسانه کتاب چندان کاربردی نیست و فقط تصویرسازی‌های بامزه‌ای دارد.

[Aros]

i want to improve my english

[shaqayeq · Rating 4 out of 5]

it s a lovely book! full of beautiful idioms and expressions to learn and the examples to use in sentences, along with funny illustrations. i am hoping if its newer version has been published.

[Sara Alkhaqane]

i need help to read it i don't know how to open it

[minhhai · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book contains 101 American (English) idioms each of which comes with a short translation to plain English, illustrative cartoon and a sample passage (mostly dialogues). I like the cartoons which make the learning fun and help visualizing the meaning. While being useful for English learners to some extent, the book is not carefully written:

- There is no clear criterion in selecting the idioms for the book. The selection contains some colloquial words (fishy, lemon) and some lengthy old sayings ("People who live in glass houses shouldn't throw stones").

- The grouping strategy is not really effective. Some idioms of similar meanings ("Pull someone's leg", "String someone along", "Feed someone a line") are not linked or referenced to each other.

- Some explanations are ambiguous. "On one's last legs" = sick and failing. What does it mean by "sick and failing"? "Turn someone off" = disgust someone? The sample sentence "If you scratch my back, I'll scratch yours" doesn't illustrate the meaning of "Scratch someone's back" = return a favor.

[Ling · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book provided 101 English idioms through very cute pictures.

[Ana Lilia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful drawings!!

I enjoyed it so much and my students as well!

[Rashidul · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm surprised that I didn't know quite a few (errr actually a bit more than a few....)

[Elias · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good

[Matvey Aksenov · Rating 2 out of 5]

Like a sixty years old American, maybe. I liked the drawings, though.

[Bo Manson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another book from the author that explored the world of idioms in English language and their meaning. In this book, there will be no history or origin of the idioms but just a comical pictures on each idioms with definition and short conversation where the idioms will be likely used are perfect for nonnative to learn English idioms and to actually use in a correct manner in everyday life.

[Hanna · Rating 4 out of 5]

I used this book with my ESL students (lower intermediate to advanced) and they loved it! There are one-page illustrations for each idiom and a short dialogue to expand on the usage. The audio CD is helpful in reinforcing the phrases and students can put it in their Ipod for the morning commute.

[Aneliya · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved the illustrations, made it so much easier to remember the idioms. I can say that Americans use a plethora of idioms and a significant number are in this book. Highly recommend it to foreign language folks.

[Melissa Lara · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was an awesome reading. As an ESL student and future english teacher, it did help me understand some things that were not very clear to me. By the way, I loved the illustrations, they were cute hahaha.

[Msgold · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you like idioms, you will love this book. Each page has a different idiom, explains what it really means, and has a cartoon picture. This book is fun to read if you want to learn new idioms.

[Dar · Rating 5 out of 5]

Some idioms use in your life.

[Evelyn Saenz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fun way to learn or review idioms for upper elementary or middle schoolers.

[Sebah Al-Ali · Rating 4 out of 5]

A must-use resource when teaching idioms. I used it in preparing a flash game (tic-tac-toe) for class. It was wonderful.

[R · Rating 3 out of 5]

A cute little book. I learned a few things despite being a native english speaker.

[Dina Atef · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am an idiom addict ..I admit it =)
I am on my first page and i am telling ..It's I N C R E D I B L E =)
Love it ..specially the pics :)

[Fenixbird SandS]

You know, idioms can be quite hard to grasp (even for someone of the SAME language)!!

[Linda · Rating 2 out of 5]

Don't think it would do me much good if I were trying to learn English, or interpret idioms.