We have to admit that we southerners use 'plays on words' rather often to express ourselves. And since most of the Filipnos we know have only met a few other Americans who are all from the south (mission teams from Georgia), they find that these plays on words are common English phrases. English is the official language of the Philippines so most of them desire to learn and understand more English. We often have long conversations with them trying to explain definitions of certain words and phrases. But the most enjoyable talks are usually the ones that pertain particularly to the south.
Here are some we've run into lately. Try to imagine how you would explain these phrases!
"You crack me up"......... What?? I crack you up? What does that even mean?
"Your father kills me!".........O gosh.. my father tried to kill you?
"It's pretty far".........Maybe I misunderstood the definition of pretty?
"These mosquitoes are eatin' me up."........Gross.
"I'm fixin a go to the market".........You're what? Is something broken??
"I'm so hungry I could eat a horse"........ Filipinos would never. Dog, maybe. A horse? No way :)
After reading back through this post for a spell check, I noticed that I said "Here are some we've run into lately." Now you can see how easily we confuse our friends. I don't even realize when I say these crazy phrases! The problem is, I confuse them even more when I try to speak Tagalog :)
Our personal favorite English definition we've been asked so far:
"Bro. Josh, What is the meaning... sexy?"
-Just for clarification...Josh doesn't use the word sexy very frequently, but the American songs on the radio and shows on t.v. do :)
Josh, Monica, and myself have gotten quite a few laughs out of these. I hope you've enjoyed them as well.
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