Do You Understand This Dialogue?

yes, dear Alston, you’re right but the main issue is “who comes first to answer” :D it’s a new competition here!! and about this lesson, Brad expected to see Bruce in the party, according to their last conversation (shows he’s willing to attend) and when he couldn’t find him, he used that statement to ask Bruce “why didn’t you come?!” he wanted to know his reasons for not attending party.

its a joke between good friends.

To my understanding ,  Bruce , when answering  I may be there, left open a possibility that it could turned out  that  eventually  he  won´t be able to  assist.  

Damavand, an All-Points Bulletn is issued for Nijar to weigh in!

Sweetcheese, thanks for your request, however, I want to allow time for others to respond before I give an explanation.

ｉhaven’t idea.So, what is it?

noch…noch…where is Nijar?!l’m waiting for her to come and answer first :)

Dialogue No. 55 – Understanding proper word usage :

Brad: Bruce, are you going to the company’s year-end party?

Bruce: I am really looking forward to going; I may be there.

While attending the company’s party Brad was looking for Bruce but could not find him.  Upon seeing him at work the next day, he said to him:

Brad: Bruce, I thought you said you were going to attend the company’s party.

Question:

Why did Brad make the statement to Bruce, “I thought you were going to attend the company’s party.”

3emma3, you’re welcome, I plan for more to come.

Thanks a lot it is very useful.

Msenna and Adriyana please scroll back to April 15, 2013 for the “Heavy on the young” explanation.

i think he is busy.am i correct?

“Heavy on the young” – Sorry but I didn’t get it… What does that mean, exactly?

And thanks for the dedication and for remembering me , Hugs,

Mara

You’re welcome Erise!

I won’t stop admiring your dedication to our language improvement, Mr. Alston. Thanks so much!

My warm and sincere wishes to all

Thanks our kind teacher a lot. all things become more clear now.

Explanation of Dialogue No. 54: “In dire straits” Understanding slang dialogue: 

Dialogue restated and paraphrased:

Don calls Kurt on the telephone: Hello Kurt!

Kurt: What’s up Don?

Kurt: Hello Don, what’s happening?

Don: Kurt man, I’m in “dire straits!”

Don: Kurt friend, I’m in trouble and need your help!

Kurt: What’s the deal?

Kurt: What’s the matter?

Don: Man, this is embarrassing, but I ran out of gas in downtown LA in the middle of the intersection and I’m freaking out!

Don: Friend, it’s embarrassing but I ran out of gas in downtown LA in the middle of the intersection and I’m panicking!

Kurt: Exactly where are you?

Kurt: Where are you exactly?

Don: The intersection of Olympic Blvd and Wall Street in the Fashion District.

Don: The intersection of Olympic Blvd and Wall Street in the Fashion District.

Kurt: Flag somebody down and safely push the car to the curb.  I’m on the way!

Kurt: Quickly ask somebody to help you safely push the car out of the intersection and park it along the curb. I’m leaving now to help you.

Don: Kurt I owe you Big Time and it won’t be on the Lay-away Plan!

Don: Kurt I appreciate your help and will return the favor in a big way and it won’t be a long time coming.

Kurt: Don, don’t mention it, later!

Kurt: Don, don’t worry about paying me back, see you when I see you!

Question:

Can you paraphrase this slang dialogue into plain English?  My paraphrase under the original text.

Explanation and analysis:

What’s up? – A normal greeting when speaking Conversational English in an informal environment.  It could mean “hello” or it could mean “do you have a question?” or “can I help you?”  It depends on the context.

In dire straits- This is a when a person is in a very bad situation and need immediate help.  Don was in “dire straits” because his car is stalled in the middle of an intersection with cars in the front, rear and sides.  He’s on a cell phone in the street calling his friend Kurt for help.  For more details of this phrase read the mini lesson on Understanding American English phrases when I post it.

What’s the deal? What is the current situation or what is the matter?

Freaking out -  This is a term which depends on the context.  In the dialogue it means Don is panicking, that is, he has overwhelming fear because of the current situation.

Flag somebody down Wave at anyone passing by for them to stop and help you.  The term “flag” is used to indicate displaying something, in this case, Don is displaying himself to appeal to someone for help in pushing his car. “Down” is used as an idiom to mean “this location.”

Big Time- Something is or is done in a big way.  In this dialogue, Don is saying he is in debt to Kurt in a big way.

Not on the Lay-away plan- This is a phrase taken from merchants who will offer a payment arrangement for people who cannot afford to pay the full price at the time of purchase.  Therefore, they will pay periodically until the balance is paid off in time.  What Don is saying to Kurt is that he owes him a great favor and he is not going to take forever repaying him.

On the way- This isn’t slang but an expression to indicate the person is on the road to their destination.

Don’t mention it- This is an informal way of saying don’t worry about the favor. This expression is used instead of “you’re welcome” but the actual wording is not to be taken literally.  It would be rude for Don not to express his gratitude to Kurt who is being friendly.

Later- This is slang for “see you later!”

Conclusion -

Interpreting slang is not difficult if you know the meaning of the words.  You will find a lot of contractions used in slang and conversational English.  For example: “I’m” instead of “I am,” “don’t” instead of “do not.”

Breaking News! 

There is a new slang word that is increasing in usage, which is “sick.”  For example, someone may say: The new cell phone is “sick!” What do you mean “sick” how can a cell phone be sick?  “Sick” means something is really “nice” or “desirable!”  Your guess is as good as mine why it came to mean that!

Finally, for those of you who read my mini lessons on “Understanding American English Phrases” the next one should be posted within a week.

Also, I intend to resume writing on my blog “You are there – A Day in the life in the US” soon.

In the meantime, have fun learning English! 

Non123, yes but we can get a closer meaning, stay tuned!

Dear Mr. Alston thanks for your complete and wonderful comments.

I’ll be waiting for your further explanations.

Definitely, nice reply to Nijar: “First come, First serve”!! hahaha… Don’t worry for next time!!

it means is stresses or under pressure