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Americans have many "terms" (words with special meanings) to talk about "party-goers" (people who go to parties). A "guest of honor" is the person whom a party is "held" (organized and hosted) for. For example, at a birthday party, the person who is celebrating a birthday is the guest of honor. At a graduation party, the person who is finishing school is the guest of honor. Often there are "VIPs" (an acronym for "very important people") at a party. If your "boss" (supervisor, or the person one works for) comes to a party, then he or she would be a VIP even if he or she isn't the guest of honor.

Sometimes people come to a party without an invitation. These people are called "party crashers," especially if they "crash" (ruin and destroy) a party. In American movies, you may see parties on college "campuses" (areas with many university buildings) which are ruined by party crashers who drink too much alcohol and damage the home where the party is being held.

A "party-pooper" is a person who isn't very much fun at a party. A party-pooper is someone who is sad or depressed and makes it difficult or impossible for other people to have fun. Often a "party-pooper" is a person who doesn't want to do what everyone else wants to do. In contrast, a "party animal" is a person who really enjoys going to parties and has a lot of fun.

Finally, some people who go to parties are known as "wallflowers." A "wallflower" is a very quiet and shy person who doesn't enjoy talking to other people and sits quietly next to the wall. This is especially true at dances, where wallflowers sit and watch everyone else dance, but are too "timid" (shy) to dance.