“It’s as Backawards as Can Be”: Things in American Culture That Make No Sense to the Rest of the World

Every language and culture has its own vernacular that is absolutely mystifying to an outsider. Even if you’re fluent in American English, how you agree or disagree with something can be mind-boggling. In the US, we have special ways of combining the words “yeah” and “no” that can convey so, so much.

Believe it or not, “yeah no” and “no yeah” mean completely opposite things. Most people say “yeah no” to disagree and “no yeah” to agree. We didn’t make the rules, okay? On top of this confusing vernacular, the meaning can change based on where you are in the country. The flexibility of language is truly fascinating!