An explanation for intermediate to advanced English language learners explaining the word party and how to use party language. This is the fourth lesson of the SkimaTalk course Misused and Misunderstood Words written by Michele W. Snider, SkimaTalk teacher and author of My Virtual English blog.

1. GET MARRIED AND THROW
A PARTY!
Talk about getting married and parties

2. A wedding party is a
group of people
(not an event)
If you are a guest at someone's wedding you will attend
the wedding ceremony and/or
the reception (which is another type of party)

3. THE BRIDE AND GROOM AND THEIR
ATTENDANTS FORM THE WEDDING PARTY
A Bride with flower girls
A young boy
often serves
as the ring
bearer
(who carries
the bride and
groom's rings)

4. Groomsmen
Bridesmaids
A WEDDING PARTY
Groom and Bride
The wedding party is the group who stand beside the bride and groom during the ceremony.
Bridal party and wedding party mean the same thing.

5. The "party" after a wedding is called a reception.

6. PARTY CAN MEAN GROUP
• Hunting party: a group of people hunting together
• Fishing party: a group of people fishing together
• Skiing party: a group of people skiing together
• Political party: a group with common political goals
• QUIZ: A restaurant hostess asks "How many in your party?"
(explain to your teacher what the hostess is asking)

7. PARTY CAN MEAN ONE PERSON
Example:
"The police were on the lookout for the
guilty party."
or
"Oversight was provided by a neutral
party."
or
"The information came from a third-party."
Those directly involved with something are the
parties involved.
A third-party is someone who has
second-hand information. (Second
hand means indirect, from one of
the original parties (participants)

8. PARTY LANGUAGE
The picture above could be a New Year's Eve party, cocktail party, a
reception, or a drinks party (British English). We don't say "drinking
party." Drinking is common at parties so it is assumed. In fact, the verb
"party" means to consume alcohol and/or recreational drugs.

9. OTHER PARTIES
A tailgate party (pictured above) is a barbecue or picnic held out of the back
of a vehicle (a tailgate is the hinged flap at the back of a truck)

10. At theme parties (like the 50's party above left)
guests often wear costumes. Costume parties
are popular at Halloween as well.

11. PITY PARTY
A pity party means to feel sorry for
one's self.
Cryin' Lion Comics, vol.1, No.2 1944 published by Wm H. Wise

12. PARTY TO
To be party to
something means to
be involved in it.
The headline (right) from the
Philippine Star means an envoy
(a representative) from the US
claims the US was not a
participant in developing the
Code of Conduct for the South
China Sea

13. HOW WELL DO YOU KNOW YOUR PARTIES?
Demonstrate your understanding by identifying which terms refer to groups,
individuals, or both and which refer to events.
a wedding party
a reception
a third party
a birthday party
a pity party
a party
a political party
a cocktail party
a costume party
a bridal party
a hunting party
a neutral party

14. PARTY LANGUAGE
Party animal = someone who parties frequently and enthusiastically
Throw a party = to have, host, or give a party

15. TALK ABOUT PARTIES WITH YOUR TEACHER
Using the terms on the previous slides, talk about:
* A wedding you've been to
* Use "party" as a noun and as a verb
How would you answer the question, "Do you party?" (see slide 8
again for the informal meaning of "party" as a verb).
Demonstrate your understanding. Go back to slides 13 and 14 and
create your own sentences.

16. This slide presentation was created by Michele W. Snider, teacher for SkimaTalk, Inc.,
and author of
http://www.myvirtualenglish.com
That's it!
We hope you enjoyed it!