20090624 -- American Parties (1)

American Parties

Any excuse for a party!

Americans love parties, and most people choose to entertain in their homes. A gathering can be just a small dinner party for friends. Or it may be a big celebration of a special occasion like a birthday or a wedding anniversary.

One special kind of party, called a shower, celebrates an upcoming wedding or birth. Usually only women attend a wedding shower or baby shower. At the party, women "shower" the bride-to-be or mother-to-be with gifts. Everyone plays games, watches the guest of honor open her gifts, and enjoys refreshments.

A potluck is another popular kind of party that can be held for any reason. At a potluck, everyone brings a dish to share. It might be a main dish, salad or dessert. Sometimes the hostess will tell people what kind of food to bring -- so everyone won't bring the same thing. Whatever the reason for the party, people enjoy sharing food and conversation with their friends.



entertain v. 請客/招待/款待
-> invite someone to your home. Give them food, drinks.
eg: The Smiths entertain often. This weekend they have invited 10 people to dinner.
eg: We entertained our neighbors and friends with BBQ in our backyard.
eg: Mark and his wife don't entertain much.

entertain v. 育樂
eg: Johnny's parents hired a clown to entertain him and his friends.

anniversary n. 週年紀念會/週年紀念日
-> a day of a year which something special happens
ann- 年
eg: John and Joan celebrated their 25th wedding anniversary last week.
eg: Dad and Mom will celebrate their 40th wedding anniversary in Paris.
eg: Tomorrow will be the 20th anniversary of our company.

guest of honor n. 貴賓
eg: Grandma will be the guest of honor at her 90th birthday party.

refresh v. 使精神振作
refreshment n. 點心/茶點(常作複數型)
-> snack
eg: At the party, Ashley served tea and cake for refreshments.
eg: Refreshments are served at the back of the conference hall.
eg: We stopped and had some light refreshments at a cafe.

gathering
-> get together with people

baby shower

potluck n. 百樂餐(參加聚餐者每人各帶菜餚共享的餐會)

hostess n. 女主人

//== Chat room ==//

political parties 政黨
Republican Party 美國民主黨
Democratic Party 美國共和黨

How big is your party? (去餐廳時，老闆會問)你們這一組人有幾位
Mr. Lee's party 李先生名字登記的派對，所有跟李先生一起用餐的人就屬於Mr. Lee's party

party (法律)關係人/當事人

injured party
third party 第三者
interested party 利害關係者

become a party to something (參與某件壞事)共謀

//== Grammer on the go ==//

Whatever the reason for the party, people enjoy sharing food and conversation with their friends.
= No matter what the reason may be for the party, people enjoy sharing food and conversation with their friends.

Whatever the reason
= No matter what the reason may be