Previous
Hyperbole
Definition of Idiom
An idiom is a phrase that conveys a figurative meaning that is difficult or impossible to understand based solely on a literal interpretation of the words in the phrase. For... read full definition
An idiom is a phrase that conveys a figurative meaning that is difficult or impossible to understand based solely on a literal interpretation of the... read full definition
An idiom is a phrase that conveys a figurative meaning that is difficult or impossible to understand based solely on... read full definition
Chapter 39
Explanation and Analysis—Saying and Meaning:
Americanah draws force from its unflinching insights—with Ifemelu’s comic and devastating powers of observation, it calls out the racial injustices that underlie daily life. In Chapter 39, for instance, Ifemelu’s blog post breaks down the racial politics implicit in idiomatic, everyday lingo:
Sometimes they say “culture” when they mean race. They say a film is “mainstream” when they mean “white folks like it or made it.” When they say “urban” it means black and poor and possibly dangerous and potentially exciting. “Racially charged” means we are uncomfortable saying “racist.”
Related Themes:
