Dave's ESL Cafe's Student Discussion Forums

[Chan-Seung Lee]

[dragn]

[Chan-Seung Lee]

Hi, Greg!
Thanks for your kind answer.
I have been appreciating your wise answers to my questions.

I have a question about the word 'butt-ugly' which you used.

1.What does it mean?
I tried to look it up in my English dictionary but I couldn't find it.

2.Is it frequently used among native speakers?

Thanks.

[dragn]

Thank you for your kind words. As far as butt-ugly is concerned, I suppose some might classify it as slang. It's a very informal way of saying something is very ugly.

You asked if this was common among native speakers. Well, it was fairly common among the native speakers I grew up with in Logan County, Illinois. That's all I know for sure.

However, this reminds me of something that people should be aware of. This is just a little reminder that goes out to any learner of English who happens to view this thread:

* * * * * * *

Remember that native speakers of English are not all part of one big homogeneous group�not even those from the same country. Don't assume that what is common or standard or "correct" for one particular native speaker automatically applies universally to all native speakers of English all over the world. It doesn't. This is one reason why people may get differing answers to a particular question.

Take me, for example. I was born, raised, and college educated in the Midwest region of the United States, and I know for a fact that there are plenty of words, expressions, and usages that may be common in other areas of the U.S. that I have never heard and might not understand or interpret correctly or agree with...and vice versa. During the course of my teaching in Taiwan, I occasionally come across phrases or expressions I have never heard before. My standard response? "Must be British."

It makes me wonder sometimes...maybe that's the price we pay for having English become the de facto international language. In every region where English is spoken, numerous words, phrases, and usages spring up and flourish. This serves to make English more colorful and expressive; unfortunately, it can also make it very challenging. When things are black and white and apply universally, they're so much easier to learn...and easier to teach, too. We have to live with the fact that English just isn't always like that.

Greg