Article excerpts from newspaper

[Ju]

Dear all,

Following are some article excerpts from a newspaper:


1) "A middle-aged, gum-chewing waitress finally arrived and slapped down 3 plates or rice. She cracked her gum and went back to work."

• gum-chewing : Is it a proper expression of someone is chewing gum or it implies something?
• cracked her gum : What does it mean?

2) "I always told you, facts first & theories second. Don't you remember?"

• fact first, theories second : Is it a proper / common expresson?

3) "She said she is bound to win the game" : What does it mean?



Many thanks/ Ju

[Mister Micawber]

.
1-- Chewing gum is overly casual for service staff. Cracking one's gum is even more rude: it means trying to blow a bubble in non-bubble gum-- and all you get is a little sharp 'crack!' or 'pop!' noise.

2-- Facts first, theories second. Honestly, I have never heard it, but just as honestly, it sounds like a saying many might say. Ms Google only gives me a couple of hits on the phrase.

3-- Be bound to win = be sure/confident of winning.
.