Speaking of colloquial expressions and relationships, we were explaining that not only do we see public displays of affection in the parks and on the buses, but three out of six of us had seen people having sex in cars in high traffic areas. I started the conversation by asking if certain displays are illegal. Flor said that if police find exhibitionists they can be arrested and taken to jail for 72 hours.
She explained that when a car is bailando rap (dancing rap), the people inside can attract the attention of officers. The other students said that they had literally heard rap music thumping in the car they had seen bailando rap in the parking lot at the grocery store, but that the occupants’ rhythm didn’t match the music.
We were so interested in this colloquial expression that Flor decided to five us the task of identifying others. I asked around for some, but it was similar to asking a person from the US to compile a list of idiomatic expressions. We are so used to using them we hardly know that they are difficult for others to comprehend. I began searching the internet, and I found that Modismos Mexicanos yielded the best selection of phrase. In fact, I have more than 150 new ones, but I will need help with deciphering them beyond the literal level. Unsurprisingly, there is an abundance of these words and phrases that, while often charmingly metaphorical, are unsuitable for the classroom.
I look forward to the bounty my classmates will also bring tomorrow.
shewhodaresnothing 