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  #1  
Old Sunday, August 26, 2007
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Default Let's Learn Idioms and Phrases in a unique way

Salam to all CSS Aspirants,

I am initiating a thread in which I will place regularly a very interesting way to learn idioms. I have found useful "KNOW YOUR ENGLISH" in www.thehindu.com by "S. UPENDRAN", and would like to collect all those articles in this thread. I hope you all would like it.

Thanks,

regards,

S. AAMIR ALI SHAH

P.S: Please take this first post as a reference to all would-be articles.
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Lo! man is in a state of loss. (Al-Asr:103:2) And every small and great thing is recorded. (Al-Qamar:54:53) And guard yourselves against a day in which ye will be brought back to Allah. Then every soul will be paid in full that which it hath earned, and they will not be wronged. (Al-Baqara:2:281)
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  #2  
Old Sunday, August 26, 2007
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Know your English

``HI, COME on in! Haven't seen you in a while.''
``I was busy with my exams. What have you been up to? Good God, What's all this mess?''
``Just rearranging some of the stuff. Do you think you could....''
``....I smell Sujatha's perfume. Was she here by any chance?''
``That's some nose you have. Yes, she came in at about ten this morning and parked herself on that stool over there.''
``Parked herself? What do you think she is? A car?''
``Even people park themselves you know.''
``Really?''
``When someone parks himself somewhere, he sits or stands in one particular place for a long time. He stays put in that place for quite some time.''
``But won't other people find this inconvenient? I mean....''
``....yes, they will. But when you `park yourself somewhere' you generally don't worry about such things. Here's an example. Anand and Karthik parked themselves on the sofa and remained there all morning.''
``Some of the demonstrators parked themselves in the hotel lobby and refused to budge. How does that sound?''
``Sounds great. The donkeys and cows parked themselves on the road and ...''
``....so this expression can be used with animals as well?''
``It can not only be used with animals, but also with things. Many of the students I know park their chewing gum under the table.''
``I hate it when people do that. Last night Gopa came over to our place and parked his notebooks on my study table.''
``Did you ask for them?''
``Of course not! He said that he would come back for them tomorrow.''
``I see. Prema parked her suitcases in the front room and vanished. She returned in the evening after having met her friends.''
``Can one use this expression in formal contexts?''
``The expression is normally used in informal contexts alone. Usually with people you know fairly well.''
``I think I'll park myself on the sofa.''
``Oh, no you're not! I don't want you to park yourself anywhere. I need your help in carrying these boxes to the...''
``....sorry. I won't be able to help today.''
``What's wrong? Feeling under par?''
``Under what?''
``Under par! When you say that you are feeling under par or below par, it means you are not feeling well. You don't have the energy level that you normally do.''
``I see. The Chairman cancelled the meeting because he was feeling below par.''
``That's a good example. She had viral fever last week. She feels under par even today.''
``Doesn't the expression `off colour' mean the same thing as `below par'?''
``That's right. When you say that somebody looked off colour, it means that he/she was not in good health. For example, you...''
``....let me try. The young man looks a little off colour today. I wonder what's wrong.''
``Very good. The Chairman has been off colour for the past two or three days.''
``Is there any other informal expression which means more or less the same thing?''
``Under the weather! Bharath has been under the weather the past couple of days.''
``What's wrong with you? You look a bit under the weather.''
``Excellent. Another expression that is frequently used in informal contexts is `up to par'. When someone says that he is not `up to par', it means that he is not feeling very good. Not his usual energetic self.''
``Can you give me an example?''
``Certainly. They invited me to come trekking, but as I wasn't up to par, I decided not to join them.''
``I am just not feeling up to par today. How does that sound?''
``Sounds good. This expression can be used with things as well. When you say that something is not up to par, it means that it doesn't meet the required standard. My teacher said that the assignment that I had submitted was not up to par. So she made me redo it.''
``Many students feel that the course that is being offered is not up to par.''
``None of the candidates who appeared for the interview were up to par.''
``As I am feeling below par today, I am going to park myself on your sofa and watch you carry all these boxes!''

------------------------------
``It isn't pollution that's harming the environment. It's the impurities in our air and water that are doing it.''
- Dan Quayle (former U.S. Vice President)
-------------------------------

S. UPENDRAN

http://www.hinduonnet.com/2000/10/31...s/13310676.htm
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Lo! man is in a state of loss. (Al-Asr:103:2) And every small and great thing is recorded. (Al-Qamar:54:53) And guard yourselves against a day in which ye will be brought back to Allah. Then every soul will be paid in full that which it hath earned, and they will not be wronged. (Al-Baqara:2:281)

Last edited by Sureshlasi; Thursday, August 30, 2007 at 09:41 PM.
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  #3  
Old Sunday, August 26, 2007
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Know your English

``HEY, GUESS what? Sujatha's sister is getting married.''
``I know that. Sujatha introduced me to the guy a couple of days ago.''
``She did? I wonder why I wasn't introduced to him? Anyway, it doesn't matter. What does he look like?''
``His name is Laxman. He seems to be a nice person. He is no Greek god, mind you, but he is definitely....''
``....Greek god! What are you talking about?''
``Well, when you say that someone looks like a Greek god, it implies that he is extremely good looking. In other words, he is very handsome.''
``I see. How about this example? When I walked into the restaurant - I found a Greek god sitting next to Sujatha.''
``That couldn't have been Laxman. Here's another example. Rajeev is no Greek god, but there is something about him...''
``....who cares about Rajeev. What do you think my chances are of looking like some Greek god when I grow up?''
``Pretty good, I'd say.''
``You really mean that?''
``Of course I mean it. Nothing is impossible, you know. I mean if you kill off all the men in this world and you are the only one...''
``....not very funny. Anyway, the fact that Sujatha's sister didn't find someone who looks like a Greek god is not surprising. She is no Greek goddess, is she?
``No, she isn't.''
``Do you feel peckish at strange hours?''
``What a strange question! Why do you...''
``....I am not asking a question. I'm merely reading a line from this ad.''
``I see. Do you know what `peckish' means?''
``Doesn't it mean `hungry'?''
``Excellent! The word 'peckish' is used in informal contexts in British English to mean `slightly hungry'. Here's an example. After playing two sets, Devi began to feel peckish.''
``Your friend Devi always feels peckish.''
``You have a point there.''
``My neighbour Banu says she usually feels peckish around 11-00 o'clock at night.''
``Many people feel peckish around that time. Yesterday, while waiting at the bus stop, I began to feel peckish.''
``That happens to me whenever the bus is late. I told my mother about it and she suggested to take a snack to....''
``....not `suggested to take', but `suggested taking'.''
``But I have heard many people say, `He suggested to meet after lunch'.''
``It's true that many people say it, but it's wrong. What you need to say is, `He suggested meeting after lunch.''
``I see. How about this sentence? The students suggested going to the zoo.''
``Why go to the zoo when they can look at you?''
``I suggest that you stop making fun of me.''
``Sorry about that. I just couldn't....''
``Let's talk about something else.''
``Like what?''
``Cricket! Isn't it fantastic the way we bounced back in the test series?''
``It was a wonderful achievement. But I feel there is too much of showboating in cricket these days.''
``Showboating? What does it mean?''
``It is an annoying form of behaviour which the players display on the field. Showboating means the same thing as showing off.''
``Like when a fielder has brought off a brilliant catch or a bowler has taken an important wicket?''
``Yes, something like that. Showboating is usually done to attract attention to yourself.''
``Thanks to television, it's become very common these days.''
``Exactly! Here is an example. When the bowler took his second hat trick in the match, I thought there would be a lot of showboating. Surprisingly there was none.''
``How about this example? My friend Mukund is a showboat outfielder. He is well known for his outstanding catches.''
``When Rahul scored his fifth goal, we were all willing to forgive his showboating.''
``There is too much of showboating in cricket these days. It is no longer a gentleman's game.''
``It ceased to be that a long time ago. Anyway, we must be happy that we beat the Aussies.''
``I am extremely happy. I think the trip to Tirupathi brought the Prince of Kolkata lots of luck. From now on, for the sake of the country, our captain should visit Tirupathi before every test series.''
``And should the same person accompany him every time?''
``No comments.''


``Speech making is exactly like childbirth. You are so glad to get it over with.'' - John Barrymore

S. UPENDRAN
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Lo! man is in a state of loss. (Al-Asr:103:2) And every small and great thing is recorded. (Al-Qamar:54:53) And guard yourselves against a day in which ye will be brought back to Allah. Then every soul will be paid in full that which it hath earned, and they will not be wronged. (Al-Baqara:2:281)
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  #4  
Old Monday, August 27, 2007
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Default Know Your English

Know your English


"You're late as usual. What's the excuse this time?"
"Ran into Sarita and Ganesh at the bus stop. They are planning to see Spiderman 3 this evening, and they wanted to know if I'd like to come along."
"I hope you said no. If you go with those two, you'll end up feeling like a fifth wheel."
"A fifth wheel? What are you talking about?"
"This is an expression mostly used in American English. A fifth wheel is a person or a thing that is not required."
"In other words, the person is the unwanted extra. He is like the fifth wheel of a car that already has four good ones, and is therefore unnecessary!"
"For example, the team already has two very good off spinners. I feel like a fifth wheel."
"It is also possible to say, `third wheel'."
"Lavanya is just a third wheel around here. Why don't you send her home?"
"Good example. Is something wrong? You look a little green around the gills."
"What are you talking about? I'm not a fish! I don't have gills!"
"When you say that someone is green around the gills, what you mean is that he/she looks out of sorts."
"In other words, the person looks sick or unwell."
"That's right! The person feels like throwing up. For example, I'm feeling green around the gills. I'd better step outside and get some fresh air."
"It's possible to say `blue around the gills' as well. It means the same thing. Ever since eating the chocolate cake, I've been feeling a little blue around the gills."
"I've been feeling blue around the gills since this morning. That was just an example. There's nothing wrong with me. I feel just fine."
"You don't look it, though. Do you... ."
"Guess who came to see me this morning?"
"I'm not in the mood to play games. Just tell me."
"Ram. He says that he is going to start his own business."
"Ram is going to start his own business! Does he have the smarts to do that?"
"Smarts? You mean `smart', don't you?"
"No, I mean `smarts'. The word `smarts' is used in informal contexts to mean `intelligence' or `expertise."
"Intelligence, eh? Can I say, I've have the smarts to do the job?"
"You certainly can. Here's another example. If I were you, I would talk to Bala. He has the smarts to figure out what to do next."
"But your friend Ram certainly hasn't got the smarts. The only thing that he is good at doing is telling fish stories."
"Fish stories! What are you talking about?"
"A fish story is a tall tale. In other words, a great big lie."
"How about this example? Politicians are good at telling fish stories."
"That's a good example. Do you seriously expect me to believe that fish story?"
"Can you tell me why tall tales are called fish stories?"
"Fishermen always have interesting stories to tell about the fish that they didn't catch. In the stories that they tell, the fish that gets away is always very big. Hence the expression `fish story'."
"That makes sense."

"You know you're getting old when you stoop to tie your shoelaces and wonder what else you could do while you're down there." — George Burns
S. UPENDRAN
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Lo! man is in a state of loss. (Al-Asr:103:2) And every small and great thing is recorded. (Al-Qamar:54:53) And guard yourselves against a day in which ye will be brought back to Allah. Then every soul will be paid in full that which it hath earned, and they will not be wronged. (Al-Baqara:2:281)
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  #5  
Old Monday, August 27, 2007
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Default Know Your English

Know your English


"Your company seems to be doing quite badly. According to my cousin... "
"Have you come here to cheer me up or make me feel even more depressed?"
"Sorry! How did your boss react when people started selling their shares?"
"He didn't turn a hair."
"Didn't turn a hair, eh? How could he? Your boss is completely bald!"
"He's as bald as a coot, isn't he? When you say,..."
"What is a coot? Is it an animal of some kind?"
"It's a bird. And... "
"When you say that someone is as bald as a coot, what you probably mean is that the person is completely bald. Am I right?"
"One hundred per cent. My neighbour is as bald as a coot."
"My twenty-five year old cousin is as bald as a coot. We've been telling him to wear a wig."
"Maybe someone should tell Sehwag to wear one as well. Ever since he started losing hair, he's stopped scoring runs."
"Maybe he's related to Samson! Anyway, what does `didn't turn a hair' mean?"
"When you give someone bad news and he doesn't show any emotion, you say, `he didn't turn a hair'."
"When my boss was told that the union members were going on strike, he didn't turn a hair."
"He's a cool customer, isn't he?"
"He certainly is. I wouldn't want his job, though. He has to take a lot quick decisions. I want a job where I don't have to take any. A job... "
"Then become a Supreme Court Judge. The only time he takes a quick decision is when he has to decide whether Doordarshan should be given telecast rights for a cricket match."
"You have a point there."
"Turn on the TV, will you? I want to... "
"There's something wrong with it."
"It's not even a year old. It's still in guarantee, isn't it?"
"You don't say that something is `in guarantee', but `under guarantee'. Yes, the TV is still under guarantee."
"How about this example? I have to remind my father that the air conditioner is still under guarantee."
"Good example. By the way, the stress in guarantee is on the final syllable. Not on the first. How is your friend Sunita doing?"
"She's doing great! She's got a job in a call centre and is working alongside of Arun and Sarah."
"She works alongside Arun and Sarah. You don't say `alongside of'. For example, the children took great delight in working alongside the clowns."
"Senior citizens were seen fighting alongside soldiers."
"We jogged alongside the Olympic champion..."
"I understand how to use `alongside' now. So, please stop. Tell me, are you in the mood for a movie?"
"A movie, eh? Not a bad idea! Going out might do me a world of good. It might help me overcome my depression. Can you wait for a while? I'll take a bath, and then... "
"Take your bath? Shouldn't you say, `I'll have my bath'?
"You can either `take a bath' or `have a bath'. Both are acceptable. The British say `have a bath', while Americans say, `take a bath'."
"OK then, you have your bath. While I'm waiting, I'll write a letter."
"A letter? To whom?"
"To Sehwag. I'm going to tell him to wear a wig."

"If you want to make God laugh, tell him your future plans." — Woody Allen
S. UPENDRAN
__________________
Lo! man is in a state of loss. (Al-Asr:103:2) And every small and great thing is recorded. (Al-Qamar:54:53) And guard yourselves against a day in which ye will be brought back to Allah. Then every soul will be paid in full that which it hath earned, and they will not be wronged. (Al-Baqara:2:281)
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  #6  
Old Tuesday, August 28, 2007
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Default no yur ingleish

Know your English


``I HAVE been coming here every day, but you are never around. Don't tell me that you are already busy with next month's conference''
``A conference requires a lot of planning. There are so many rules and regulations to be followed. Even my boss is stymied by some of...''
``....your boss is what? What was the word you used?''
``S..t..y...m..i..e The `y' in the first syllable is like the `y' in `my', `by', and `cry'. The `ie' in the second syllable is pronounced like the `i' in `kit', `bit', and `hit'. The main stress is on the first syllable `sty'.''
``But what does `stymie' mean?''
``Believe it or not, it's a word that comes from the world of golf. How would you feel if you were to find your opponent's golf ball obstructing your path to the hole.''
``Well, if the opponent's golf ball is between mine and the hole, I would probably feel pretty annoyed and frustrated I guess. I would probably feel that he placed the ball there to ensure that I didn't make any progress.''
``Excellent! When something `stymies' you, it prevents you from doing whatever it is that you had planned to. There is an obstruction which leaves you confused.''
``In other words you end up making no progress in whatever it is you are doing.''
``Exactly! Here's an example. The change that the new teachers tried to bring in was stymied by the administration.''
``How about this example? We had a test in physics yesterday. Most of the students were stymied by the first question.''
``That's a good example. My attempts to get a promotion were stymied when my boss' son applied for the same position.''
``Competing with the boss' son is not going to get you anywhere, is it? So, how is the preparation for the conference coming along?''
``Our Coordinator has been sweating blood ever since....''
``....sweating blood? Good grief! That sounds serious. Have you taken him to the doctor?''
``Doctor? What for? I don't ...Oh I see. When you say that someone is sweating blood, it doesn't mean he/she is really bleeding. It means that the person is working really hard to complete something.''
``I see. For a minute you had me worried there. Is `sweating blood' an expression used in informal contexts?''
``That's right. Here is an example. The old man sweated blood to put his grandson through college.''
``I usually sweat blood a month before the final exams. How does it sound?''
``Good. But six months before the final exams, you don't even sweat. Let alone sweat blood.''
``That's true. My nephew Vyomekesh is sweating blood to complete his science project on time.''
``Talking about nephews, did you....''
``....I wish that the Indian cricket team would sweat blood for the sake of the country.''
``They probably would if the Board made it clear that a player's pay would be determined by his performance, rather than his non performance.''
``Some of the newspaper articles dealing in cricket were very interesting.''
``Dealing with and not dealing in.''
``What is the difference between the two?''

``When a shop or a company deals in something, it does business buying and selling those things.''
``I see. So when you `deal in' something, you specialise in it. Is that it?''
``Well, yes. Here is an example. If you want to buy a good pair of jeans, go to my cousin's shop. He deals in jeans.''
``How about this example? When they started their business, they dealt only in stationery. But now they also deal in cassettes and CDs.''
``That is a good example.''
``Now tell me, what does `deal with' mean?''
``When a book or an article deals with a particular topic, it discusses or covers that particular topic. Here is an example. Corruption is a topic that is dealt with in detail in this book.''
``The article doesn't deal with how badly women were treated.''
``When a person `deals with' something, he/she usually handles that something. For example, the Rector dealt with the problem quickly.''
``Our batsmen must learn to deal with the Australian bowling.''
``I am sure they will be able to do that after the third test.''
``But we are playing only three test matches.''
``I know that. You see....''
``....I have an idea. Just as kids have a trial ball when they play cricket, our players should ask for a couple of trial tests.''

* * *
``Some women get excited about nothing and then marry him.'' - Anon
S. UPENDRAN
__________________
Lo! man is in a state of loss. (Al-Asr:103:2) And every small and great thing is recorded. (Al-Qamar:54:53) And guard yourselves against a day in which ye will be brought back to Allah. Then every soul will be paid in full that which it hath earned, and they will not be wronged. (Al-Baqara:2:281)
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  #7  
Old Tuesday, August 28, 2007
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Default no yur ingleish

Know your English

``HI! WHY are you walking like that? Is there something wrong?''
``Yes, it's my back, I'm afraid. It's playing up again.''
``What did you play? I thought you were too busy....''
``....I didn't play anything. When you say that some part of your body is `playing up', it means that it is causing problems. This is .....''
``....Oh, so what you're saying is that you have a back problem.''
``I guess you could say that.''
``I see. Can I say my grandmother's leg is playing up again?''
``You can. What's wrong with the leg?''
``I think it has something to do with the weather. It's been raining non stop for the past three days and whenever it rains....''
``....the weather, of course! Why didn't I think of it before? The weather could be the reason why my back is playing up too.''
``Could be. But tell me, is this expression used with parts of the body alone? Or can it be used with....''
``....`play up' can be used with machines and instruments as well. For example, I can say, our telephone is playing up again.''
``Meaning the telephone is not working properly. It's creating problems.''
``Exactly!''
``The telephones in our city play up whenever there is a slight drizzle.''
``You have a point there. I'd better take the car to the mechanic. It's playing up.''
``Didn't you have it repaired last week?''
``I did. But....''
``.... nothing ever gets fixed, does it?''
``You're right! Nothing ever gets fixed. Venkat recommended the mechanic that I...''
``....Venkat! Is it true that he called your Chairman `a dirty old man'?''
``Yes, he called him that in a meeting. Poor Venkat, the incident is being played up by everyone.''
``Played up, again? What does it mean this time?''
``When you play something up, you make it out to be much more important than what it actually is. In other words, you exaggerate.''
``Isn't this what all newspapers do? Last week, for example, all the local newspapers played up the divorce story.''
``So true. People seem to be very interested in the private life of a movie star. When I went to visit my cousin last week, my mother told me not to let her play up her illness.''
``I don't know why so many people exaggerate their illness. Tell me, we have the expression, `play up'. Is there an expression `play down'?''
``There definitely is. It means the exact opposite of `play up'.
``I see. So, when you play down something, it means that you reduce the importance of someone or something?''

``Exactly! Here's an example. The Minister tried to play down his role in the scandal.''
``The Government is trying to play down its recent loss in the local elections. How does that sound?''
``Sounds great. Namrata tried to play down her role in the scandal.''
``What's her brother Janardhan up to?''
``The last time I saw him he was playing at being a chef.''
``Playing at? Isn't it wrong to say that?''
``When someone `plays at being' someone or something, they pretend to be that someone or something.''
``Little kids do this all the time.''
``Exactly! They pretend all the time. Here's an example. Sharmila and Rajesh were playing at being astronauts.''
``I played at being a pilot when I was young. How does that sound?''
``Good! The politicians were playing at being pirates.''
``I don't think they have to play at being pirates. Most of them already are! Anyway, does Janardhan still play tennis?''
``Let's just say he plays at tennis.''
``Plays at tennis! That is definitely wrong.''
``No, it isn't. When you `play at' something, you don't do it seriously. You are merely pretending to do it. For example, in yesterday's match, most of the players were playing at batting.''
``In other words, they were just pretending to bat. Another case of match fixing?''
``Don't say that. The press will play it up again.''

Journalism: A profession whose business it is to explain to others what it personally does not understand.''
- Lord Northcliffe.
S. UPENDRAN
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Lo! man is in a state of loss. (Al-Asr:103:2) And every small and great thing is recorded. (Al-Qamar:54:53) And guard yourselves against a day in which ye will be brought back to Allah. Then every soul will be paid in full that which it hath earned, and they will not be wronged. (Al-Baqara:2:281)
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  #8  
Old Wednesday, August 29, 2007
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Know your English


``HI! COME on in. Did your cousin get the job?''
``We are not really sure.''
``Why not? He did well at the interview, didn't he?''
``He must have. But the man who interviewed him says that he'll give him the job provided my cousin pays him something in return.''
``He wants a bribe, eh? Why doesn't he give him a piece of bread and get it over with?''
``A piece of bread! I wish it were that simple. The man wants....''
``....but that's what a bribe amounted to. Don't you know that?''
``You mean to say that when you bribed someone, you gave him a piece of bread?''
``Exactly! The word `bribe', some people believe, originally meant a piece of bread. In the old days, when fairly well to do people went for a walk, they used to carry bread in their pockets. When beggars used to harass them for money, they used to dip into their pockets and give them a piece of bread instead.''
``Since the rich man wanted to be left in peace, he gave the poor man a piece of bread.''
``It was a bribe to stop pestering him.''

``That's interesting. If only the same practice continued even today, then...''
``.... many houses would be stinking of stale bread.''
``We would be talking about bread scam rather than urea scam!''
``Tell me, are you planning on joining the new computer course?''
``No, I am not. It's very expensive. The fee.....''
``....how much is it going to cost you? Two cows or three cows?''
``Two or three cows! What are you talking about?''
``That's what the word `fee' means. It comes from the Anglo Saxon `feoh' meaning `cattle'.''
``But what is the connection between cattle and money?''
``Well, in the old days, cattle represented a man's wealth. The more cattle an individual had, the more money he had.''

``I see. I wonder what would happen if I took some stray cattle and walked into .....''
``...they wouldn't let you anywhere near the building.''
``That's true. Anyway, what's the silly movie you are watching?''
``I have no idea what the movie is called. It's about this kid who gets rescued by a soldier. Later, they....''
``.... speaking about soldiers. My cousin Ravi has joined the army. He told me that he is going to be in the infantry.''
``Is your cousin an infant?''
``No, he isn't. He wouldn't be able to join the army if he were.''
``That's true. Any way, this movie....''
``....wait a minute! Are you saying that there is a connection between `infant' and `infantry'?''
``Don't you see any connection?''
``Well, both words look alike, but that's about it. An `infant' is a child. And `infantry' is a term that is used in the army. I don't see any connection.''
``Well, there is a connection. You see, the word `infant' comes from the Latin `infans' which means `unable to speak'. So, the original infant was a child who hadn't begun to speak as yet.''
``But these days, in some countries, children less than the age of seven are called infants. Surely they would know how to speak and write!''
``That's true. The meaning of the word has changed somewhat. Now coming to the word ``infantry'. You see....''
``....don't tell me the infantry consisted of little children who didn't know how to speak.''
``No, I am not saying that. The original infantry consisted of young men. Youths, shall we say, and they...''
``....but surely these men could speak?''
``Of course, they could. But they were not expected to. Since they were all very junior people in the army, they were not expected to speak unless they were spoken to.''
``Since they couldn't speak on their own, I guess that's why they were called `infants'.''
''That's right.``
``Are you keen on watching this movie?''
``Yes, could you become an `infant' for the next hour or so?''
``Am I supposed to give you some cattle for letting me watch this movie?''
* * *
`
`Speeches are like babies - easy to conceive, but hard to deliver.''
- Pat O' Malley
S. UPENDRAN
__________________
Lo! man is in a state of loss. (Al-Asr:103:2) And every small and great thing is recorded. (Al-Qamar:54:53) And guard yourselves against a day in which ye will be brought back to Allah. Then every soul will be paid in full that which it hath earned, and they will not be wronged. (Al-Baqara:2:281)
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  #9  
Old Wednesday, August 29, 2007
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KNOW YOUR ENGLISH


"HOW DO you pronounce r...a...p...p...o...r...t?"
"Why do you want to know?"
"First, you tell me, and then I'll tell you."
"O.K. The `a' in the first syllable is pronounced like the `a' in ....."
".... like the `a' in `china', I bet."
"No, it's like the `a' in `cat', `bat', and `sat'. The `or' in the second syllable is like the `or' in `pore', `sore', and `bore'. The final `t' is silent."
"The stress? Is it on the first or second syllable?"
"It's on the second syllable. When you have a good rapport with someone...."
".... I know what it means. When you have a good rapport with someone, you have a good relationship with him or her. You understand the individual very well."
"Lots of people find it strange that I have an excellent rapport with Bala."
"Well, I guess it's because you two are so different. Anyway, how about this example? My physics teacher has an excellent rapport with all his students."
"Good! I wish my boss had a good rapport with the new accountant."
"I thought your new accountant had some good ideas about how to cut costs."
"She does. But my boss isn't willing to listen to anything she says. According to him she's just a Johnny come lately."
"Johnny come lately? What does it mean?"
"When you refer to someone as a Johnny come lately what you mean is that he/she is a newcomer. As you know, this accountant joined the company very recently."
"So your boss isn't willing to listen to your accountant because she doesn't know much about the company?"
"That's right."
"How about this example. We don't pay any attention to Laxman. He is a Johnny come lately and doesn't know what he is talking about."
"Another expression which means the same thing is 'new kid on the block'."
"I have been going to the same restaurant for ten years. Why should I listen to some new kid on the block?"
"I have been with my company for fifteen years. But my boss still thinks of me as the new kid on the block."
"That's because he's been with the company for forty years, and....."
".... I don't want to talk about my boss. Tell me, why did you want to know about rapport?"
"Well Sujatha said that if I wanted to have a good rapport with her, then I should...."
".... a good rapport with Sujatha! That's not going to happen."
"Why not?"
"You are too lowbrow for her."
"Lowbrow? What does it mean?"
"Well, what kind of a person is Sujatha?"
"She is very intelligent. I guess you could call her an intellectual. She...."
".... at least, she thinks she is an intellectual. Pretends to be one anyway. What sort of person are you?"
"Well, I am not very bright. I am not very fond of intellectuals. I guess you could say that I am not very refined. Furthermore, I,....."
"...all those things make you a lowbrow."

"O.K, I think I understand. I feel ill at ease in the company of highbrows. You could say that I am allergic to them."
"Geetha used to be a highbrow, but she has given up some of her fancy ways."
"Some of the highbrows in my class meet every Sunday to discuss post structuralism and ....."
".....don't want to know."
"O.K. Tell me, is there a middlebrow?"
"Yes, there is. Someone who is a middlebrow is average."
"In other words, mediocre?"
"That's right. People like you and me are middlebrows."
"I thought you said that I was a lowbrow."
"According to Sujatha you are. But in my opinion...."
".... forget it. I have to go. You take care."
"You too."
* * *
"Doing nothing is very hard to do...you never know when you're finished." — Leslie Nielsen
__________________
Lo! man is in a state of loss. (Al-Asr:103:2) And every small and great thing is recorded. (Al-Qamar:54:53) And guard yourselves against a day in which ye will be brought back to Allah. Then every soul will be paid in full that which it hath earned, and they will not be wronged. (Al-Baqara:2:281)
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  #10  
Old Thursday, August 30, 2007
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Default no yur ingleish

KNOW YOUR ENGLISH


"I KNOW that Dilip was well prepared. But when he saw the Chairman sitting in the front row, he went totally blank. The poor guy forgot what he was going to say."
"That happens to a lot of people. What did Dilip do? I mean, how did he...."
"....he winged it. That was the only...."
"....what do you mean he winged it! You mean to say he ran away?"
"Nobody runs away from a presentation. If Dilip had run away, he would have lost his job. When you say that somebody `winged it' what you are saying is that the person improvised. He made things up as he went along; he...."
"....why does it always have to be a `he'? It could be a `she'. She does or says something spontaneously. Without any preparation."
"That's right. You stand up and say something even though you are not prepared."
"Like some of the speeches that our not so respected politicians make?"
"Exactly! Most of our politicians just wing it."
"Hey, how about this example? When I told my teacher that I wasn't really prepared for the debate, he told me to just go out there and wing it."
"That's a very good example. Here's another one. The tall man in jeans who came for the audition this afternoon didn't know his lines. So he just winged it. But to everyone's surprise he got the part."
"Some people have all the luck. Does this example sound OK? The speaker had misplaced his notes. He had no option but to wing it."
"Sounds great!"
"So tell me, was the Chairman angry with Dilip?"
"He didn't say anything. But my boss was really angry. He went ballistic."
"Went ballistic? Doesn't the expression mean to become extremely angry?"
"Exactly! The teacher went ballistic when the student didn't turn in her assignment."
"My father went ballistic when my sister broke the new table lamp."
"Any way, as I was saying, my boss went ballistic. He has given Dilip his walking papers. He has asked...."
"....his walking papers? What are you talking about?"
"When a company gives you your `walking papers', it means that you have been sacked. Or `fired', as the Americans would put it."
"You mean that poor Dilip has lost his job?"
"That's right. He has been asked to leave."
"But that's terrible."
"I know. He is going to be joining the ranks of the unemployed pretty soon."
"The poor guy shouldn't have made the presentation. He should have just run away."
"You may be right."
"Walking papers. I have never come across that expression before."
"It is considered slang, but it's used quite often by native speakers in informal contexts. For example, I can say, our company is downsizing. I hope I am not given my walking papers. I need this job to help repay some of my debts."
"How about this example? When Ashok was given his walking papers, he looked at his boss and laughed."
"He can afford to. His wife has a really fantastic job. And with his qualifications and the contacts that his wife has, Ashok can get a job anywhere."
"How about Dilip? How did he react?"
"Dilip! The poor guy is in a funk."
"In a funk? What a strange expression!"
"When you say that you are in a funk, it implies that..."
"...I can guess the meaning. It probably means that you are feeling depressed. It probably means the same thing as `feeling blue'."
"My! You're in excellent form today. That's exactly what it means. Arun has been in a funk ever since he came to know that the Indian cricket team had lost the match."
"He's in a funk because our cricket team lost? That's really crazy. Well, all I can say is poor Arun is going to be in a funk most of the time because our overpaid underachievers always lose."
"Except when they play in India of course."
"That's true. By the way, it is also possible to say `in a blue funk'. For example, I can say, Sushila has been in such a blue funk that she refuses to even step out of the house."
"Padma has taken a couple of weeks off from work to come out of her blue funk."
"Poor Dilip. I hope he gets a job soon. I can't imagine him being in a funk actually. You see, he always seems so happy, so relaxed. As if nothing can bother him."
"That's true. He gives the impression that he is pretty laid back. But he ..."
".... laid back. Does it mean someone who is usually calm and relaxed?"
"That's right. When you say that someone is laid back what you are implying is that the individual gives the impression that he is calm and relaxed. That nothing ever worries him. I have been told by many people that I am pretty laid back."
"You are laid back, if you ask me."
"Who is asking you? I am anything but laid back. I get worked up about a lot of things. My only problem is that I don't ....
"...relax, will you? I was just kidding. I know that you get upset when things don't work out. As for me, I am pretty laid back about a lot of things."
"You can afford to be because you are still a student. But if your boss gets the impression that you are laid back, then I can assure you....
"... I'll probably get my walking papers."
"Absolutely right."
"But I will tell you one thing though. I'll never let anything worry me. I'll never..."
"...that's what they all say."
* * *
"I confess that I cannot understand how we can plot, lie, cheat and commit murder abroad and remain humane, honorable, trustworthy and trusted at home." — Archibald Cox talking about America


S. UPENDRAN
__________________
Lo! man is in a state of loss. (Al-Asr:103:2) And every small and great thing is recorded. (Al-Qamar:54:53) And guard yourselves against a day in which ye will be brought back to Allah. Then every soul will be paid in full that which it hath earned, and they will not be wronged. (Al-Baqara:2:281)
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