Heart People Heart Shaped Child Mending Broken American Love

In American life and "pop culture" (popular culture; things that most people are interested in), the heart (Y) is an important "symbol" (a drawing that represents an idea). Heart "imagery" (the use of a symbol, drawing, or image to mean something) is "prevalent" (very common and easily found) in American culture.

Heart imagery is most prevalent in early February, because February 14th is Valentine's Day, a day when Americans celebrate the love that they feel for their husbands, wives, girlfriends, boyfriends, and "to a lesser extent" (not as much) friends. People give their "loved ones" (the people whom one loves) heart-shaped cards, heart-shaped candies, and chocolates packaged in heart-shaped boxes.

The heart symbol is also used in written messages in place of the verb "to like" or "to love." For example, in New York City, many tourists buy t-shirts that say "I Y NY," which means "I love New York." Similar phrases are found on many "bumper stickers" (stickers that have a printed message and are put on the back of one's car).

The phrase "to have heart" means to have courage or to be brave and not be afraid of something. For example, if someone is worried about an exam, you might tell him or her, "You're going to do great! Just study and have heart." This is a way to "encourage" (help someone who wants to do something) him or her to study and do well on the exam.

Finally, children often use the phrase "to cross your heart" to mean to promise to do something, especially to promise to tell the truth. If an uncle promises to take a child to the park, the child might ask, "Cross your heart?" The child is asking whether the uncle is making a serious promise.