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A Quick Question of US Citizens

by Will Edwards
8 replies
Do you understand this sentence?

"That dream came true .... and it wasn't a fluke either."

I am interested in the word 'fluke' - is it widely understood in the USA?

Thanks

Will
#citizens #question #quick
  • Profile picture of the author Pusateri
    Yes, it's a common word. Mostly seen in sports reports or whale watching articles.
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    • Profile picture of the author Will Edwards
      Originally Posted by Pusateri View Post

      Yes, it's a common word. Mostly seen in sports reports or whale watching articles.
      Whale watching articles?

      Could you explain?

      Cheers,

      Will
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      • Profile picture of the author Pusateri
        A poor joke. The two halves of a whale's tail are known as flukes. Left fluke. Right fluke.

        Any American over sixteen will understand it in your context.
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        • Profile picture of the author Will Edwards
          Originally Posted by Pusateri View Post

          A poor joke. The two halves of a whale's tail are known as flukes. Left fluke. Right fluke.

          Any American over sixteen will understand it in your context.
          Thank you - I am always keen to learn.

          Will
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  • Profile picture of the author DJL
    I understand a fluke to mean an unusual occurrence, not likely to recur.
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  • Profile picture of the author travlinguy
    I've also been hearing flukey a lot lately used as an adjective.
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  • Profile picture of the author Steve Hill
    Originally Posted by Will Edwards View Post

    Do you understand this sentence?

    "That dream came true .... and it wasn't a fluke either."

    I am interested in the word 'fluke' - is it widely understood in the USA?

    Thanks

    Will
    In this context, this sentence could be rephrased as:

    "That dream came true...and it wasn't an unlikely chance occurrence either."

    A fluke used as a noun in this context is defined as an unlikely chance occurrence, especially a surprising piece of luck. Put another way, it is a lucky or improbable occurrence, with the implication that the occurrence could not be repeated. For example:

    "The golfer's hole-in-one was just a fluke."

    Hope that helps.
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  • Profile picture of the author Will Edwards
    Thanks guys!

    Will
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