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14 American Phrases That Confuse Absolutely Everyone Else

The thing about American dialect is that there isn’t just one. America is a pretty big place, with a hugely diverse population, and whose speech, idioms, and vocabulary changes when you cross state lines – never mind from north to south, east to west.

If Americans can’t even keep up with their own kitschy phrases, is it any wonder then that the rest of the world – even if they speak English – can’t figure these 14 out?

I say no, so let’s amuse ourselves, yeah?

14. It’s a stand-in for the other f-word.

The one that offends people, I guess.

Image Credit: Ruin My Week

13. We are legally obligated to point it out.

I have no idea why. It’s built in.

Image Credit: Ruin My Week

12. Because you haven’t paid yet?

Just a thought.

Image Credit: Ruin My Week

11. I think it’s like “I’ll pray for you.”

But like, without the religion.

Image Credit: Ruin My Week

10. Maybe.

Unless you have a better suggestion.

Image Credit: Ruin My Week

9. I never really considered that.

Huh.

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8. What’s the difference?

I really think this is a nitpick.

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7. I mean that’s a big word.

You’ve got to give us that.

Image Credit: Ruin My Week

6. Because life sucks.

And everything is hard.

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5. I mean, you said it right now.

We just like to be specific.

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4. Because it’s short for gasoline?

Duh?

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3. I think we should look this up.

But in general everyone loves to bag on the French.

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2. Because we’re quaint and adorable.

I should have thought that was obvious.

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1. We are lazy.

Also we don’t understand math(s).

Image Credit: Ruin My Week

Some of these were new to me, a born-and-bred American.

Which of these had you scratching your head? Tell us in the comments!