In most countries, it’s pretty run-of-the-mill to use hyperbolic language during small talk or mundane conversations. However, America takes the cake (and eats it too) when it comes to abusing long-term use of exaggerated phrases that don’t reflect our actual feelings.
One might even say that we (Americans) are THE BEST at consistently using excessive adjectives to describe fairly dull experiences.
So, when Tyler Oakley posted a chart on Twitter detailing “what Americans say vs. what they mean,” it felt a little too on-the-nose.
this is too real pic.twitter.com/geic4V1gaJ
— tyler oakley (@tyleroakley) January 3, 2018
A lot of people on Twitter felt called out.
THIS IS AMAZING
— Tessa Violet (@TessaViolet) January 3, 2018
This list is awesome or at least fabulous... https://t.co/lnDAdhM9mf
— Nick Mehta (@nrmehta) January 4, 2018
I don't have a word to describe what this is because he made me insecure about using any of them
— Clara(@below_eye_level) January 3, 2018
I always found it so weird that for Americans everything is automatically "the best thing ever" when they actually just think it was kinda nice
— Zoe(@ZoeandFleur) January 4, 2018
this is why understanding american people is hard sometimes
— ciara (@mutedoakley) January 3, 2018
I am just realizing how sarcastic we really are
— mr (@sunnydrewlight) January 4, 2018
Some generous Twitter souls felt it was their patriotic duty to add a few missing words and phrases to the chart.
Epic = Above Average
— brian t silcott (@btsilcott) January 4, 2018
I studied teaching English in Germany for a tad bit (I'm American) and I did a presentation on American Customs with a group of individuals. One was from Malaysia who had studied in the US. It bothered her so much that when people said "We'll get together soon," they didn't.
— Theoretically Knowledgeable (@Theoreticallyyy) January 4, 2018
Since I've been home, things like that bother me. Why say "Let's stay in touch" or "I'll talk to you soon" when you do not intend to. It's okay to say "It was nice seeing you" and leave, if that's what you really feel. Americans, get it together!!
— Theoretically Knowledgeable (@Theoreticallyyy) January 4, 2018
"haha you are so funny" (said with blank face)
— Andreas Klinger (@andreasklinger) January 4, 2018
One up! (I can't remember where I saw this)
— Lilli (@LilCee_22) January 3, 2018
Californians:
no, yeah= yes
Yeah, no= no
No, yeah, forsure= 100% definitely
And New Zealanders though here it's more:
— Tracy C (@TracyCollins13) January 3, 2018
"Yeah-nah... yeah... nah."
This can mean 'yes' or 'no'.
Funny and true. How about:
— Mark Schiefelbein (@mschiefelbein) January 4, 2018
Interesting: don't bother me
Just a second: a few minutes
Just a minute: less than an hour
Pretty much. Also, if I say something is "interesting", it means I hate it. If I actually find something interesting, you will know. Why do we do this?! https://t.co/XYNMyBs83m
— Chloe Leadbetter (@Mediamusings12) January 4, 2018
Reminds me of this one for Brits... pic.twitter.com/ewo5eZSXVB
— Marcus Baram (@mbaram) January 4, 2018