Dave's ESL Cafe's Student Discussion Forums

[zeppy]

How to understand the underlined phrases. thanks for your help !

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This year you may want to avoid:

The Nurse
A thankless role to begin with, the nurse continues to be overworked and under-appreciated. There's not a lot of capacity for loving and caring after a 12-hour shift of care-taking.

The Girl Next Door
Although as American as apple pie, the girl next door has stalled in the cul de sac of suburb life. She's too concerned about car pooling and express checkout to slow down and enjoy what truly matters.

The Britney Wanna-be
Aren't we all getting a little tired of Britney herself — let alone those women who think they can imitate the stylings and attitudes of the promiscuous pop star? Instead, stick with the tried-and-trued vixen.

[Cayenne]

as American as apple pie - very American style

stalled in the cul de sac of suburb life - Not positive, but I believe it means that she became very materialistic and worried about getting good stuff.

car pooling and express checkout - shopping

promiscuous - has casual sexual relations frequently with different partners
_________________
::|Cayenne|::
This post is a licensed trademark of Cayenne ��� and may not be reprinted or reused without my permission.

[LucentShade]

To expand on "cul de sac of suburb[an] life":
(suburban is the usual adjective form)
A "cul de sac" is a type of street common in newer "suburban" areas of cities. Basically, it is a very short street that ends in a circle with several houses and driveways around it. To be "stalled" in a cul de sac is a metaphor that refers to a "dead end" (="does not go anywhere") quality of the lives of these women. Just as the street doesn't go anywhere, it is implied that the lives of these women are meaningless and don't go anywhere either.