Vocabulary

• valley girl: A stereotypical young woman from the San Fernando Valley in California, characterized as materialistic, superficial, and using a distinctive slang.
• think of: To look on as (being something specific); consider
• own up: To admit that you did something wrong
• name for: To give someone or something a particular name, often in honor of someone else.
• toe in: To turn the toes inward when standing or moving.
• of course: Sure ; Certainly
• with just: Using only; with no more than.
• over time: Gradually; as time passes.
• used to: Did regularly before, but don't do now
• also known as: Also called; alternatively named.
• no matter: Regardless of; it does not matter.
• as long as: For the period that; provided that.
• phenomenon: Unusual event, fact that can be studied
• pattern: Model to follow in making or doing something
• evolve: To develop certain features
• strain: To remove the water from (food) using a colander
• philosophy: Study of ideas about the basic nature of life
• contribute: To be a factor in causing something to happen
• stereotype: False categorization of people as all the same
• annoying: To make someone angry
• slang: Words or phrases used in a very informal way
• fuel: To give power to (a mob, anger, etc.); incite
• prevalent: Being common; occurring frequently
• tongue: Long, thin part of (e.g. shoe under the laces)
• function: Social event, or party such as a wedding
• occur: To come to pass or to happen
• mean: Average of a set of numbers
• cue: Word or action in a play to tell an actor to speak
• frame: To make a person that is not guilty appear guilty
• emphasize: To stress the items that are important
• refer: To talk about or write about something
• novelty: Items that are unusual, interesting, or unique
• pause: To stop doing for a while before continuing
• widespread: Happening or existing in many places
• shallow: Not deep; short from top to bottom
• introduce: To open an essay to set the scene
• reason: To think and make conclusions in a logical manner
• generation: Act or process of producing or causing something
• beat: To move in regular motions in order to push blood
• ironically: Contrary to plan or expectation
• frequently: Often; regularly
• serve: To act in a particular position or office
• record: Highest or most extreme level achieved
• prove: To demonstrate truth by providing evidence
• rebellious: Wanting to do things your way; resisting authority
• totally: In a complete way; completely; absolutely
• trace: To make an outline to determine a shape
• demographic: Group of people with similar characteristics
• dialect: Way of speaking used by a group or in a region
• pop: To cause something to open or burst suddenly
• informal: Casual; relaxed
• notice: To become aware by sight, touch, or hearing
• mock: To laugh at someone or something in an unkind way
• clueless: Totally uninformed about what is going on
• century: Period of 100 years
• single: One run in cricket or a hit baseball
• adjective: A word that describes a noun, e.g. happy
• accident: Sudden unplanned event causing damage, injury etc.
• language: Words or signs used to communicate messages
• particle: Adverb or preposition that joins with a verb
• ban: To make something illegal or not allowed
• jaw: One of the two bones of the face where teeth grow
• chin: Part of your face below your mouth above your neck
• verb: Word that expresses an action or state
• turn: To become (a particular age)
• phobia: Extreme fear
• hedge: To select words to avoid saying something directly
• chart: Drawing showing information in a clear way
• parody: Humorous or satirical imitations of something
• nominate: To choose someone to fill a certain position
• time: Speed at which music is played; tempo
• spotlight: Lamp that produces a strong beam of light
• happen: To take place or occur
• prominence: State or quality of being important or well known
• materialism: Desire for wealth and material possessions
• billboard: Large outdoor signboard with an ad on it
• mall: Large public area often covered with grass
• lingo: Language or dialect
• tubular: Long, round and with hollow inside; made of tubes