An online education in American slang

Jessica Beinecke, 24, hosts an online travel and pop-culture show called “OMG! Meiyu” that has become a viral sensation among Chinese young people.

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Jessica Beinecke, 24, films her Web video show in her Capitol Hill living room. "OMG! Meiyu" ("meiyu" means "American English" in Mandarin) has become a huge hit in China, where she has more than 100,000 followers on a social networking site and followers discuss her postings in popular chat rooms. Fluent in Mandarin Chinese, Beinecke translates the slangy parts of American life and culture for her Chinese audience.

Sarah L. Voisin / THE WASHINGTON POST

Beinecke's script in English and Mandarin Chinese -- and nearby, props for her segment on fruit-themed idioms. She uses her MacBook to film the low-tech show. She posts episodes on Weibo, a Chinese social media site, but many users re-post the show elsewhere.

Sarah L. Voisin / THE WASHINGTON POST

Beinecke explains the meaning of "sour grapes" for the segment on idioms. Most of the show's themes come from viewer suggestions.

Sarah L. Voisin / THE WASHINGTON POST

Beinecke interviews Cathy Yen, the owner and manager of Asia Taste and Jumbo Bubble Express in Rockville, with video journalist Yuyang Ren. Beinecke began hosting a travel show for Voice of America's Mandarin service that is broadcast monthly and shot in places such as New York and Las Vegas, but she added the slang segment, "OMG!," in July.

Nikki Kahn / THE WASHINGTON POST

Beinecke poses with a fan, Ka Wing Lam, 21, of Olney at Jumbo Bubble Express, a Taiwanese tea cafe, in Rockville. Beinecke said she hopes her "online friends" learn that American life is not how it's portrayed by Hollywood. "This is not 'Gossip Girl,'" she said. "We all like to hang out, get a bowl of noodle soup and talk to our friends, and this will show that there's a few English phrases to use while you do that."

Nikki Kahn / THE WASHINGTON POST

Beinecke prepares to film a standup shot outside Jumbo Bubble Express. English teachers in China have told her they present "OMG!" to students to help them learn the language. On the show, she explains expressions such as "rocking a dress," "sweating bullets" and having a "muffin top."

Nikki Kahn / THE WASHINGTON POST

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