AISO Student Show: Slang and Cultural Expressions

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Approx. time Expression Explanation
1:08 Turkmenistan Central Asian country of 5 million people
1:14 Italy Southern European country of 60 million people
1:18 Cameroon West-Central African country of 22 million people
1:45 take a shot make an attempt, give a try
4:50 Clinton School of Public Service graduate school offering a Master’s degree in public service
5:40 Frankfort, MI city in northwest Michigan
5:48 give an oath to raise one’s hand and promise to make a truthful official statement (in a courtroom or government building), often with one’s other hand placed on a holy or legal book [also: take or swear an oath]
6:37 Michiganders people who live in or come from the state of Michigan (preferred over “Michiganian”)
7:50 Association of International Student Organizations (AISO) https://www.facebook.com/usaiso
10:44 University of Arkansas Razorbacks university located in Fayetteville, Arkansas, having the mascot of a wild razorback boar
11:32 Go, Lakers! cheer of the university located in Allendale, Michigan, having the mascot of a sailor named Louie the Laker
11:58 Global Talent Retention Initiative (GTRI) non-profit organization dedicated to keeping talented international students in Michigan after they finish their university studies
14:18 up to 110ºF The temperature of 110ºF is informally pronounced “one-ten” and is equivalent to 43ºC
15:22 The Godfather famous American movie about the U.S. mafia
15:40 mocking making fun of, ridiculing
15:49 episode of racism past event involving racial discrimination
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Alan Headbloom

Alan advises Americans how to be global citizens and expats how to fit in to Michigan culture without annoying their native coworkers and clients. He also tweets and blogs at the intersection of language and culture. Over decades, he's traveled, studied, or lived on six continents, putting strange foods into his mouth and emitting strange sounds from it. His use of English, German, Spanish, Portuguese, French, Swedish, Hausa, and Japanese all improve with alcohol use. He gives invited public presentations on culture and unsolicited private advice on English grammar and usage; the latter isn't always appreciated. Visit his website for information on consulting, coaching, or speaking engagements.