SMickey
 
Reply Thu 23 Apr, 2015 06:12 am
How are you?

I've been listening to a radio show to study English every morning,
and I wrote down what an American teacher said during the show today.
What he says might sound somewhat childish, but that's just the for sake of
our dictation practice.
Anyway, it is as follows.

" You know, not many people know this,
but I have a special skill I’ve developed over the years.
I’m a speed reader.
I can read the entire English language dictionary in twelve seconds.
What a boom.(?) Very fast."

Not that hard to understand but the last one - what a boom.
I've looked up the dictionary to see the definition of 'boom'
and there were many.

1. the resonant cry of animals
2. a rise in popularity
3. a period of rapid economic growth
4. a rapid increase in price, numbers etc.

Though the forth definition might be, I guess, the best of all,
I can't surely tell which one.

'What a boom!'

Is it more like 'How fast!' in the context?

I'd appreciate any of your comments.
Thank you.
 
View best answer, chosen by SMickey
PUNKEY
 
  0  
Reply Thu 23 Apr, 2015 07:24 am
Just an idiomatic expression used to mean:

What a thrill!
or
What an accomplishment!

Ragman
  Selected Answer
 
  5  
Reply Thu 23 Apr, 2015 07:29 am
@PUNKEY,
I believe that you're incorrect. The word 'Boom' makes no sense.

SMickey: you've either misheard, misread the word or there's a typo.

The word I'm guessing is 'boon'.
Boon, -noun, "something to be thankful for; blessing; benefit "

It is a great boon (benefit) to speed read in order to read the dictionary so fast.
chai2
 
  1  
Reply Thu 23 Apr, 2015 07:34 am
@Ragman,
Agreeing with Ragman.

The expression is "What a boon."
SMickey
 
  1  
Reply Thu 23 Apr, 2015 08:18 am
@Ragman,
Okay. I will check it out again right now.
0 Replies
 
SMickey
 
  2  
Reply Thu 23 Apr, 2015 08:23 am
@Ragman,
Oh, you're right.
It is boon, not boom.

Now it makes sense. Thank you, Ragman.
You've always been of great help, and I appreciate it.
0 Replies
 
SMickey
 
  1  
Reply Thu 23 Apr, 2015 08:24 am
@chai2,
Now I'm convinced it is 'boon'.
Thank you Chai2.
0 Replies
 
SMickey
 
  1  
Reply Thu 23 Apr, 2015 08:26 am
@PUNKEY,
Okay, actually I had no idea what exactly 'What a boom!' was.
So, it's like 'What a thrill'.
Thank you for letting me know that, Punkey.
I'll keep that in mind.
Ragman
 
  3  
Reply Thu 23 Apr, 2015 08:54 am
@SMickey,
No. Punkey is not correct. It has nothing to do with getting a thrill.
I repeat...it has to do with receiving a benefit or an advantage...speed reading gives you an advantage.
chai2
 
  3  
Reply Thu 23 Apr, 2015 10:48 am
In addition, there is no expression that I know of "What a boom"

People unfamiliar with the word boon (it's not used that often) may hear it as boom.
0 Replies
 
ehBeth
 
  2  
Reply Thu 23 Apr, 2015 11:12 am
I've just gone through a couple of idiom sites - there is no "what a boom", and it doesn't make sense in the context you've provided.

Boon fits the context.
0 Replies
 
Frank Apisa
 
  1  
Reply Thu 23 Apr, 2015 11:18 am
Maybe it was "bada boom" he was hearing.

Finished...done!
0 Replies
 
PUNKEY
 
  1  
Reply Thu 23 Apr, 2015 11:59 am
Boom chicka boom
0 Replies
 
izzythepush
 
  1  
Reply Fri 24 Apr, 2015 02:23 am
@Ragman,
Ragman wrote:

No. Punkey is not correct. It has nothing to do with getting a thrill.


Agreed, people learning English would be well advised to ignore Punkey's posts.
0 Replies
 
 

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