Getting a fix of far-out slang

Chinglish story

This column focuses on Chinglish mistakes in our daily life. If you have any experiences to share, send them to Wang Yu at wangyu2008@ynet.com.

By Zhao Hongyi

My 18-year-old nephew is an energetic and boisterous guy. This month, he came to Beijing to prepare to attend the Beijing University of Technology in the fall.

My nephew is very good at his studies, especially English, as he knows quite a number of slang terms and idioms. He’s cultivated his language skills through a passion for music, especially hard rock.

He’s made full use of the last of his pre-collegian days: scouring TV channels for programs that feature his music of choice.

The other day, he got two tickets for a Sunday evening rock concert from his friends. He began preparing for the concert that very morning by stuffing his backpack with beer and snacks.

He was so excited and enjoyed the concert so much that he did not return home until midnight.

“How was the concert?” I asked.

“Far-out,” he replied.

I didn’t know what that meant.

“It means great,” he explained as if I were his student.

“Then how far out is it?”

“The four guys on stage sang for nearly four hours without a break,” he said. “It was the most exciting experience I’ve ever had.”

He mimed some of the actions of the singers. “We were so excited that we cried after their performance,” he said.

“How do you feel about following the performers alongside drunks and addicts?” I asked.
My nephew shrugged. “We in the audience cried from time to time to have another fix.”
I didn’t understand “have another fix.”

“Another dose of drugs!” he replied. “They get pretty crazy on stage.”

“Was it worth it to party all evening?” I asked. “Wouldn’t it be better to hang out with your friends from Beijing in another setting?”

“They’re too flaky to do anything together,” he said.

Naturally, I didn’t understand the meaning of “flaky.”

“Unreliable!” he replied, then shooed me out the door, no doubt irritated by an uncle who couldn’t make heads or tails out of his slang. (Although, as you can see, I’m not completely oblivious to English idioms!)