How I Met Your Father: Vocabulary From Season 2 (Updating Weekly)

It's gonna be legen - wait for it - dary! Legendary! That is how the iconic character Barney Stinson would rate How I Met Your Father season 2. Fortunately, there is nothing to wait for anymore. Season 2 of How I Met Your Father premiered on Hulu on January 24, 2023. After almost a year's pause, the How I Met Your Mother spin-off brings us into the world of bananas New York, gripping dating life in the Tinder era, true friendship, and excellent English again. Awesome!

The massive success of the first season of How I Met Your Father resulted in the creators filling season 2 with 20 new episodes, which is twice as much as the last time. The millennials' nostalgia for CBS's beloved sitcom, intriguing plot, brilliant acting, and two Emmy Awards did their job. Stopping the praising here and moving to the main point, which is that English learners now have new entertainment content to level up their English skills. 

Staying in touch with you, guys, Promova has been watching How I Met Your Father season 2 as Hulu realizes new episodes. We aim to teach you some advanced vocabulary from the show, where English seems entirely learner-friendly. So, with no further delays, suit up and learn some words and phrases from How I Met Your Father. 

Reasons To Learn English With How I Met Your Father: Promova Explains

As an adult English learner, you don't have to stick to the learning methods used for teaching kids. No more stupid songs about “head, shoulders, knees, and toes ", no more dictations to test your vocabulary, and no more strange group games to practice speaking. Learning English in a fun way is possible when you discover that anything can become a tool for improving your English fluency. For instance, TV series are an endless source of language knowledge for the curious mind of any English learner. You can find a suitable sitcom, drama, fantasy, or comedy for any taste and level of English proficiency. 

Most English learners constantly search for new upcoming shows that are easy to perceive by ear in terms of accent and vocabulary but still have enough words and phrases to contribute to their glossary. That is why season 2 of How I Met You Father got in the Promova spotlight today. As soon as we got our hands on it, we understood how beneficial it is for English learners. But what makes How I Met Your Father season 2 so distinct and valuable in terms of English? 

1. Easy spoken language. The main characters focus on their work and love problems. So they discuss everything in a pretty easy manner. They don't use any specialized vocabulary because everybody has a down-to-earth occupation. The dialogues are easy to follow, so the language learner won't have problems understanding their conversations fully. 
2. Variety of English accents. New York is a bay for accents from all around the world. People come to the Big Apple to achieve success from all over the place. So you'll hear a wide variety of American accents along with some other accents in the show. An outstanding example is the posh British accent of one of the main characters Charlie who came to the US because of feelings for Valerie. His speech is somewhat different. Sometimes he taps into words that hurt Americans' ears just because they are not used to them. Plus, his accent really makes you grasp his every word and not miss the unfolding plot. 
3. A touch of the modern lexicon. It's 2023, so no wonder you'll hear some modern lingo in the series. The characters' vocabulary must reflect their epoch, their cultural background, and the fast-developing world in general. The friend group members are in their mid-twenties, so they are on the edge of millennial and Get Z. They got the best of both worlds in terms of the English language. So, be sure the series is not overfilled with Gen Z slang. 

Remember, the more series in English you watch, the better your language skills get. So, while you are waiting for another episode of How I Met Your Father, watch other tv shows. For example, you can add to your English glossary advanced vocabulary from the Netflix show You 4 season, quotes from Emily in Paris season 3 or Wednesday Addams quotes, and useful vocabulary. 

On top of that, you can improve your English with the course English With TV Series on the Promova app. We offer bite-sized lessons based on iconic tv shows such as Friends, Office, Gossip Girl, etc. And if you feel like you are ready for a personalized approach to learning English, you should sign up for the Promova tutoring program. You can choose any topic to practice your English skills at individual lessons with certified tutors. They will adapt the learning plans to your needs, interests, and goals. Just say a word. 

How I Met Your Father Season 2: Vocabulary List

The vocabulary from the How I Met Your Father sitcom may seem pretty easy overall. We can't deny that the series would be a perfect fit for intermediate English learners. Nonetheless, there are some advanced words and phrases worthy of memorizing. 

Episode 1 Cool and Chill

A power nap - a 10-30 min sleep taken in the middle of the day to recharge

I also took a power nap. 

A breadth - a distance from side to side

Telling a story of this breadth is exhausting. 

To weigh on - to make someone burdensome, worried, and anxious 

It was weighing on me. 

An elopement - an act of secretly running away to get married without telling anybody

So, I wanna hear everything about your elopement. 

To get husbanded - to marry a man

I just got husbanded. 

To hug it out - to show solidarity or end up an argument with a hug

Hug it out, bro?

To burn through - to use or spend something quickly 

I don't want Ian to know I burned through two different guys in the past day. 

To dish - to gossip or tell the secret information 

Okay, now dish, fish. 

To weird out - to make someone feel uncomfortable by other person's actions or sayings

You're weirding out Ian. 

To exasperate - to frustrate or annoy a lot

But I always love being exasperated by a white guy screaming at me that he's a man. 

Skosh - little 

I would be a skosh upset. 

To tank - to fail or screw something up

It was my first duty as your husband and I tanked it. 

Episode 2 Midwife Crisis

A jam - something that a person prefers, enjoys or cares about

But back in the day, compulsive lying, well, it was kind of my jam. 

A dime - a gorgeous woman

I'm a dime. 

To fill out - to complete, give more information

Can everyone please just fill out?

To steer on - to guide

The Swedish have never really steered me on. 

Fiblets - lies 

I told a couple of harmless fiblets to feel better about myself. 

A midwife - a trained woman who assists during the labor

The midwife is run a little late so you're fine setting up the birthing tub, right?

A grievance - a complaint 

Maybe instead of grievances, we just do like a compliment circle instead. 

As good as it gets - the best option when nothing can't be improved 

What if this is as good as it gets for me?

To lure - to persuade someone to do something

Why haven't the great vibes lured Rachel through the door. 

To get in my head - to overthink

I was gonna text you, but I got in my head about what to say. 

To be nothing short of - the collocation used to emphasize something

Sophia, you are nothing short of a lying psychopath, but you're my lying psychopath. 

Episode 3 The Reset Button

Incestuous - excessively close

Son, when you're young and dating in New York, friend groups can become pretty incestuous. 

To summon - to order someone to come somewhere

Roach strangers summoning two unsuspecting fools to their towers?

To whip up - to prepare very quickly 

Why don't I whip up you menfolk some Manhattans?

To bang someone - to have sex with someone

They wanna bang us. 

To bounce back - to get back to feeling normal after some difficulties

I always bounce back quickly with guys. 

Episode 4 Pathetic Deirdre

Not the best look for me - to be seen doing something that will make you look bad

Okay, so I realize this maybe not the best look for me. 

Doinking - to have sex

Luscious - sexually attractive

Comely - good-looking

Congratulations, Charlie, but please do not use the words, "doinking" or "luscious" or "comely" again. 

To wing - to do something without thinking or preparation 

I think we should just wing it. 

Fiery - emotional

Sidekick - a close person associated with another person

Yet, every time little blond Sophia and her fiery sidekick Valerie called, I couldn't resist. 

To take attendance - to make a record of who is present

Let's take attendance. 

Episode 5 Ride or Die

To toggle through - to switch between 

Breezily - in a happy and relaxed manner

We all know that you can toggle breezily through gentlemen. 

Whimsical - playful

You whimsical bitch. 

A bidder - someone who offers to pay a lot of money for something

Who's the mystery bidder?

To get enough on someone's plate - to have enough to deal with

She's got enough on her plate. 

To get under someone's skin - to irritate or upset someone

God, my parents just know how to get under my skin. 

Drab - dull

How drab. 

A bodega - a small grocery shop near your home

Sid's desire for more Lactaid leads him to the bodega downstairs. 

To walk on someone - to leave or break up with someone

My man walked out on me tonight.

Episode 7 A Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Valentina's Day Transcript

A curveball - something unexpected 

What a total curveball!

Besotted - in love with

Uh, the year was 2012, and I was a besotted young lad on a hunting trip in Norfolk with my family and my girlfriend, Jacinda Astley.

Crisp - dry

There was a crisp breeze that afternoon, so I went to close the window.

To regale - to entertain with talk

Well, if you're such a masterful storyteller, please, regale us.

A banger - something popular

I would, but all my V-Days have been straight-up bangers.

Smarmy - fake

That smarmy little ass-clown!

A meet-cute - a charming meeting of two people that leads to developing romantic relationships

How is a story of your adorable Valentine's Day meet-cute supposed to make me feel any better?

Gut-wrenchingly - making you feel very upset or worried

I need something gut-wrenchingly pathetic.

To glare - to stare in an angry way

Stop glaring at me!

Succinctly - in a brief manner

I have processed your critiques, and I am ready to tell my story succinctly.

To distill - to extract the essential meaning of something

I have taken your collective feedback and distilled my story into four sentences.

Irked - bored

I feel less irked.

Episode 8 Rewardishment

Drenched – soaked wet

Sweetie, you're drenched in sweat!

To pull into – to arrive at a particular place

An intersection – a place where two or more things meet/cross

What is this world where you just pull into the intersection and trust a stranger is not going to kill you?

Conflict-averse – when a person avoids conflicts or disagreements

I'm extremely conflict-averse, and she's terrifying.

To chug – to drink a large amount in a single action

At least I'm not a bar owner who can't chug a beer.

To tase – to attack with a gun

Always pee before you tase.

To be on edge – nervous, close to breakdown

Reptile musk is a defense mechanism, and my girl is very on edge.

To booze – to drink a lot of alcohol

I don't think I should be boozing.

Corny – sentimental

To bail – let go

I was gonna say that we're your family, but then that felt so corny, so I bailed.

Episode 9 The Welcome Protocol Transcript

Hereby – by this document

Sophie, I hereby present you with my plus-one ticket for tonight's premiere party to Flubber: the Musical.

To tempt – to attract and make people want something

I didn't wanna be tempted by solid foods.

To invoke – to call something to be used

I'm sorry, guys, but I'm invoking.

To brag up a storm – to emphasize that someone does something with all their energy, strength, and ability

There's the Hype Men, who brag up a storm.

A gander – a look or glance

Take a gander at this.

To trot out – to show something to attract attention

We can't just trot it out for a one-date nobody.

Meticulous – very precise

I'm Robert, the meticulous chef.

To pull off – to succeed

You really pulled this off.

Deprived – lacking something necessary for life

I was so sleep deprived from showing her 200 looks, I forgot to tell the designer not to let anyone else wear it!

To nix - cancel

Let's nix the Welcome Protocol, and go straight to the Fake Emergency Protocol.

Distraught – very worried and upset

And I will drive you to the hospital as you are distraught.

To cut the crap – to get to the point

Come on, Dana, cut the crap, alright?

Dorky - awkward

God, I know that sounds dorky. 

7