Differences: Sensible, Sensitive, Sensual and Sensuous

Today’s English
September 1st, 2017

Sensible versus Sensitive
A sensible person always makes good judgement.  He has practical thinking and not carried away by emotions, feelings and situational temptations.  Similarly a sensible idea refers to one that is based on reason and experience rather than emotions. It’s the idea that is practically useful. But a sensitive person is one who is easily hurt, offended and quickly responds to even slight changes or differences emotionally.  A sensible person will take a wise decision whereas a sensitive person will fall a victim to the emotional and quick decisions. You can look for a sensible suggestion but you have to be aware of sensitive issues dealing with which is walking on the edges of sword. However a sensitive person understands and be aware of the feelings of others more than anybody else. What about sensitive tooth and sensitive skin?  Here sensitive means “reacting quickly than usual.” 
1. He’s such a sensible man whom everyone likes.
2. Please give some sensible ideas and don’t waste our time.
3. Be careful. It’s a sensitive issue.(=treat with care, otherwise people will get affected or angry)
4. Why are you so sensitive to everything? (=easily upset by everything)
5. I have sensitive skin and can’t use these cosmetics.

Sensual versus Sensuous
Everyone has five senses and the ways of gratification of these senses are uncountable.  Whatever gives pleasure to your senses is sensual. Haven’t you watched sensual scenes, felt sensual touch by someone or longed for sensual food? Though sensuous also refers to giving pleasure to your senses, there is a difference.  The sexual connotations attached with “sensual” is missing in “sensuous".  A glamour scene may be sensual to your eyes but a beautiful piece of painting or music is sensuous since it reaches your heart and delights you for ever. Sensual things appeal to your senses rather than intellect whereas sensuous things or persons are devoid of sexual influences and appeal to you senses as well as your heart and soul.
1. She drew everyone’s attention through her sensual dressing.
2. I have never seen a sensual scene like this.
3. The sensuous qualities of his music was appreciated by everyone.
4. I don’t feel the passing of time when I rejoice at my kid’s sensuous talk.

“He was a gentle and sensitive soul, and therefore had a short temper, which is why he went straight after everything with an ax...”
- Bohumil Hrabal, “I Served the King of England”

Don’t Push the Panic Button!

Today’s English
August 31st, 2017

Are you running ahead the time, running with the time or running behind the time?  If you are going to a place in advance or complete a work before the stipulated time, then you are running ahead the time.  Be punctual and you run along with the time.  Go or do late and you run behind the time.  The phrases “race against the clock" and beat the clock both mean that you are in a difficult situation to finish the task more  quickly than usually.
1.I’m sorry! You are running behind the time. It’s houseful now.
2.You are always beating the clock.  When will you be free?
3.Don’t worry! We are running ahead the time.

If you want to tell someone “to work as fast as possible”, you can use the expression “go hell for leather.”  If you go away from a place very fast, especially to complete some urgent works,  then, as the English idiom goes, you go “like a bat out of hell.”
1.We have no time. It’s time to go hell for leather.
2.I couldn’t talk to him since he rushed out like a bat out of hell.

If you are doing something very quickly without thinking about that, in a difficult situation, then you “press/hit/push the panic button.”
1.I have to push the panic button now. There’s no other go.
2.Hit the panic button and we can rectify the small errors later.

“In our rushing, bulls in china shops, we break our own lives.”
-Ann Voskamp, “One Thousand Gifts”

Five Ways to Improve Your Listening Skill

Today’s English
August 30th, 2017

LSRW is the manthra (the four pillars) of any language learning. A language learner has to start with improving his receptive skills first. (Listening and reading are receptive skills and speaking and writing are productive skills.) Here are the top 5 ways to improve your listening:

1.Watch English movies in English with full text at the footer in the beginning.  Thousands of sites and apps online, like Amazon prime video and YouTube can help you a lot. 

2.Why can’t you go for some standard learning apps like “English central" and Hello English where you can watch thousands of videos by native speakers of English, listen, repeat and compare yours with theirs.? They also ease your learning with game activities. You can start from any  level that suits you and move to higher level.

3.TV channels are almost in all languages and the varieties are more than what you can expect.  Watch, enjoy and improve your listening.  Start with local English news, move to Times Now and end up with BBC English news.

4.Talk to the native speakers of English to learn the right pronunciation and stress patterns.  Many online sites are ready for you with native speakers of English and you should just join with them in chat without hesitation.

5.Would you like to study, work or live abroad? Are you afraid of listening to foreigners' English and talking with them? IELTS is the answer.  International English Language Testing System is meant for non-native speakers of English. Prepare and take this test to improve your listening skills along with other three skills. British council and Cambridge English are awaiting you! To know more about this: http://www.cambridgeenglish.org/exams/ielts/

“Most people do not listen with the intent to understand; they listen with the intent to reply.”
-Stephen R. Covey, “The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People”

Don’t play a mug's game? Got it?

Today’s English
August 29th, 2017

If you are empty, I mean, with little knowledge, you should keep quiet.  Otherwise you will breathe life into the proverb – “empty vessel makes more noise.”  But how can you keep your stomach empty and continue your work even without taking the lunch or dinner?  So don’t work like a machine and take food at the right time.  Because, you know, as the English expression goes, “an empty sack cannot stand upright.”

1. As empty vessel makes more noise, they made all fuss about the matter.
2. First let’s have lunch and then work. Don’t you know “an empty sack cannot stand upright.”?

If you feel that in future a situation will turn out to be bad than expected to be good, you can use the phrase, “see/think the glass as half empty.”
1. The present situation in Tamil nadu makes everyone think the glass as half empty.
2. I see the glass as half empty. Don’t look for any favour from the management.

Have you heard about the phrase “empty nesters"? It refers to parents whose children have grown up and left them.  It shows how much the parents miss them with whom they had their whole heart. An activity that is totally useless is also said to be empty, in other words, it’s “a mug's game.”  If you are doing any such thing, don’t forget that you are “chasing your tail” like a cat.

1. All parents have to turn one day “empty nesters.”
2. Please understand that all your activities on WhatsApp and Facebook is but a mug's game.
3. You can never solve the problem in this system.  You are just chasing your own tail.

“You can exist without your soul, you know, as long as your brain and heart are still working. But you’ll have no sense of self anymore, no memory, no . . . anything. There’s no chance at all of recovery. You’ll just — exist. As an empty shell. And your soul is gone forever . . . lost.”
- J.K. Rowling, “Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban”

The Known Words and the Unknown Meaning

Today’s English
August 28th, 2017

1. Known Word : bag
Unknown phrase: one’s bag
Meaning: one’s interest or taste
Examples:
A. You should choose your job according to your bag.
B. If it’s his bag, let him do it.

2. Known Word : engineer
Unknown meaning: the originator of something
Examples:
A. He is the engineer of all these changes happening here.
B. Who is the engineer of this practice followed here?

3. Known Word : jam
Unknown phrase: a promise of jam tomorrow
Meaning: a promise that is never materialized (never happens)
Examples:
A. I’ll give you a treat tomorrow. Really? Or is it just a jam tomorrow?
B. Don’t believe in his jam tomorrow.

4. Known Word : pencil
Unknown phrase: pencilled in
Meaning: noted down /arranged /scheduled provisionally
Examples:
A. September 10 was pencilled in as the last date for submitting record note.
B. Just pencil in what I say. Later we can change it.

5. Known Word : wife
Unknown phrase: wife beater
Meaning: a man’s sleeveless T-shirt
Examples:
A. With blue jeans and white wife beater, he looked so smart.
B. How much is this wife beater?

“One is never afraid of the unknown; one is afraid of the known coming to an end.”
- Jiddu Krishnamurti

Differences: Truth, Fact and Reality

Today’s English
August 27th, 2017

Truth has the following three characteristics:
1.It is “only one", not having two or more forms like lie. Oneness is its nature.

2.Truth never changes at any time, under any circumstances. 

3.It’s eternal, exists for ever, beyond destruction, though everything in the universe including all of us will come to an end one day.

We say God is truth because He has the above three characteristics.

Fact versus truth
Fact is what is known, tested, proved and accepted to be true.  Fact is not truth in the sense that it changes from time to time.  If you say that someone is young and beautiful, it is a fact, not truth.  After some years, the same person may not be young and beautiful. If you say that somebody is poor that is not truth but fact that may change one day.   What you said once becomes false now.  Fact is to be proved whereas truth is to be felt, realized. Fact is accepted from outward evidence but truth arises from your heart, from the centre of your own self. Truth becomes experience but fact becomes your data  and knowledge.

Reality and Truth
Truth that is different from or against what is known, perceived or accepted is reality.  What is hidden and not brought into light for a duration of time is reality.  We use this term when something is contradictory or different from the already known one.

Call your wife "your wife." That’s truth. Call your wife a beautiful angel. That’s a fact.  Call your wife the most innocent one (at the time of marriage) and the reality may be different that will come to light one day.

Example sentences:
1.It’s true that everything changes in course of time.
2.Tell me the fact. Is he really qualified for the job?
3. As a matter of fact, nobody believed in the news telecast by that channel.
4. I couldn’t digest the reality that many learned Ph.D guides are money-minded and Hitlers.
5. Many ads on shampoo gives assurance for hair growth but, in reality, they lead to hair fall.

“If you tell the truth, you don't have to remember anything.”
- Mark Twain

It’s a million dollar question, isn’t it?

Today’s English
August 26th, 2017

Number Idioms in English
1.As easy as one- two- three = very simple and easy
A.E-learning has become as easy as one-two-three nowadays.
B.Booking movie ticket is as easy as one-two-three now, isn't it?

2.Million dollar question = very important but difficult question
A.Who is the next chief minister of Tamil Nadu? Oh no! It’s a million dollar question.
B.Whether the management  will consider your demand is a million dollar question.

3.A nine day’s wonder – a short time exciting thing or person
A.Thermacol experiment on water is a nine day’s wonder.
B.All celebrations in the modern life have become a nine day’s wonder.
C. Is your boyfriend just a nine day's wonder?

4.Behind the eight ball = in a difficult situation
A.Now he’s behind the eight ball.  He should deal with each ball with utmost care.
B.Please help me! I’m behind the eight ball now.

5.Nine times out of ten = almost every time
A.Nine times out of ten, she comes late to the office.
B.They failed nine times out of ten, still they had hopes to win.

(Girl : Nine times out of ten,  I have told you not to touch me here and there. Can’t you?

Boy: Just for enjoyment!

Girl: Don’t you know that it’s just a nine day’s wonder?

Boy: Take it easy! Can’t you?

Girl: First marriage, then I’m yours.  Then everything is as easy as one-two-three for you.

Boy: I can’t! I’m behind the eight ball now.

Girl: If not now, then when?

Boy: it’s a million dollar question!

Girl:…………..?!)

Top 25 ways to say sorry in English

Today’s English
August 25th, 2017

To err is human, to forgive is divine, isn’t it? You say “sorry" when you hurt someone, do something wrong or making inconveniences to others. Many people think that It’s a polite way of expressing your sadness or sympathy for something, a way of keeping good manners.  But one should avoid repeatedly using “sorry” and “thank you" because the former means that you often commit mistakes and the latter is an evidence than you often seek help from others.  One of the former chief ministers of Tamil Nadu, Aringnar Anna once condemned his subordinate for the frequent use of sorry as follows: “Shut up! I’m not a lorry to carry your sorry.” 

How to apologize in English in different situations?
1.I’m sorry to hear that you have lost your job.
2.I’m sorry to say that I can’t help you any more.
3.I’m extremely sorry bro! I couldn’t attend your reception.
4.I’m terribly sorry! I’m late.
5.I shouldn’t have taken your car.  I’m sorry about that.
6.His thesis/ project is in a sorry state and he couldn’t complete even after 4 years.
7.We would like to apologize for the inconvenience you had here.
8.She owes me an apology for doing that.
9.It’s not my fault, so I made no apology for that.
10.Don’t permit your kids to have access to Facebook and Internet. It’s “better safe than sorry.”
11.Excuse me, can I go this way to Bus stand?
12.Excuse me! May I have your pen, please?
13.Excuse/pardon my French (=sorry for swearing), she will never pass the exam.
14.Forgive me for interrupting you madam, why should we do that urgently today itself?
15.Forgive and forget bro.  Don’t talk about his mistake again and again.
16.Pardon sir/madam. (=please repeat what you said. I don’t hear you.)
17.Everyone knows, it’s a pardonable mistake. Take it easy.
18.It’s enough. Let him off the hook. (=forgive him and don’t punish him any more, leave him free)
19.I can’t turn a blind eye to whatever you do. (=I can’t forgive and neglect)
20.I can’t turn a deaf ear to whatever he says.  Let me teach him a lesson soon.
21.It’s time to repent for your sin. Don’t do it at least hereafter.
22.He was guilt-ridden / She had a guilt trip that he shouldn’t have left his parents alone in the village.
23.Please send her your regrets for not attending the party.
24.It’s no use crying over spilled milk. Don’t repeat it again at least hereafter.
25.Doesn’t it prick your conscience? First make your apology to her.

“Apologizing does not always mean you're wrong and the other person is right. It just means you value your relationship more than your ego.”
-Mark Matthews

Don’t be as busy as a cranberry merchant.

Today’s English
August 24th, 2017

It’s your situational needs, burning desires, unwanted commitments and exploiting responsibilities that make you busy with something.  A person who is fully engaged with official works loses the charms in family life.  One who is wrapped up with Facebook and WhatsApp gets disconnected with delights from Nature. At one stage, you stop your inner journey and get lost in the whirlpool of worldly affairs, only to feel sorry for your spiritual suicide one day.  Since the entire world is busy, English is rich with words, phrases and idioms connected with “busy" and here are some ways to talk about your “busy(i)ness”.

1. She kept herself occupied with preparing for TRB exam.

2. He was deeply involved in his thesis work.

3. Sorry! I was completely wrapped up in reading this novel and I didn’t hear your call.

4. We were toiling at shifting the furniture for the exam.

5. Staff members were rushed off their feet making arrangements to welcome the foreign delegates.

6. All staff look hard-pressed workers now. (busy with much work and less time)

7. It seems, you are absorbed in a new work. What’s it?

8. You are always immersed in some work. How can I contact you?

9. The market was bustling with buyers and sellers.

10. You have been on the go (=very busy) all day. Anything special?

11. She was on the move (=very busy) since it was the last day for record not submission.

12. Boss is unavailable now (=busy and no time to talk) and you may meet him in the evening.

13. You can’t talk to him now. He’s on duty. (Engaged with some official duty, busy at work)

14. She is tied up in a meeting till 5 o’clock. There is no chance of meeting her now.

15. He has been a busy beaver since he joined this job.

16. When admission starts, the whole place becomes “as busy as Grand Central Station.”

17. What is the use of being “busy as a popcorn in a skillet.”?

18. You may be “as busy as a cranberry merchant” but don’t forget how much your kids miss you at home.

19. My grandma kept the stork flying (=busy with given birth to children) and now half of the population of our village is our family. 

20. Sorry madam! I’ve too much on my plate now. Please come and see me later.

“Problem with an old friend who is too busy:
he always perceives you as if never changed.”
- Toba Beta, “Master of Stupidity”

How to encourage someone in English?

Today’s English
August 23rd, 2017

A teacher who motivates brings out the ridden potentials of the students to light.  A parent who encourages lifts up the dull spirits of the beloved ones. A friend who cheers you up fires you up to burst into wonders. A Guru who wakes you up graces you rebirth. You may try the following to spirit up any dull soul on your way.

1. It’s a nice try! Don’t lose hopes.
2. Keep it up!
3. You are on the right track. Go ahead.
4. It’s almost done. Don’t give up.
5. Come on! It’s just a piece of cake. You can do it.
6. You can! Give it your best try/shot.
7. You rock! I’m impressed much.
8. Nice job! / Great job!
9. What’s there to lose? Try at your best!
10. You look so smart! Why can’t you try?
11. Where there’s a will, there’s a way! First give it a try.
12. Done well! Keep going.
13. Do you know? Thousand miles journey begins with one step/a single step.
14. Rome was not built in a day! Don’t lose your spirits.
15. Hats off to Mr.Sanjay! It’s really a spectacular performance.
16. Well done Miss. Priya! You’re our pride.
17. Good job! You’re an asset to our institution.
18. Time and tide waits for none. Tomorrow never comes.  Try now.
19. Opportunity knocks at your door but once. Don’t sleep.
20. Faith can move mountains! If you can’t, who can?

“Made weak by time and fate, but strong in will
To strive, to seek, to find, and not to yield.”
-Tennyson, “Ulysses”

Why buy a cow when the milk is free?

Today’s English
August 22nd, 2017

What was costly yesterday is cheap today.  Yes, let’s know today words and expressions related to cheap.  If you are charged less for products and services, it may be cheap, economical, inexpensive, low-priced, affordable, moderate, rock-bottom and  reasonable but at the same time, it may be poor in quality, substandard, second-rate, third-rate, fourth-rate, low-grade, inferior, worthless, useless, nondurable, vulnerable, rubbish and junky.  If it’s “cheap and cheerful”, it’s cheap and of good quality but if it’s “cheap and nasty,” it’s cheap and of poor quality.

1.How was your yesterday shopping- cheap and cheerful, or cheap and nasty?
2.Shit! He made us stay at a fourth-rate hotel.
3.Buying home has been made more affordable by our project.

There are three confusing idioms – cheap at half the price, cheap at double the price and “buy cheap, buy twice.”   The first one “cheap at half the price" (also known as cheap at the price) means that something is worth buying as investment and we needn’t worry about the cost, especially when we buy good books and shares.  The second one cheap at double the price represents that even if you double the price, it is cheap with reference to its value, extremely inexpensive. The third one –“buy cheap, buy twice" is actually a warning not to buy a worthless product offered at low price.

1.This book may cost above 1000 rupees, yet it’s cheap at half the price.
2.It’s clearance sale! You can buy most of the silk saris cheap at double the price.
3.I never buy anything sold by platform vendors.  Why should I fall a victim to buy cheap, buy twice.

If you buy something very cheaply, it’s “dirt cheap.”  You can also use the phrase “as cheap as chips" that too means “extremely inexpensive.”  But you should be very careful when the price is low because it may sometimes “fold like a cheap suitcase.” (=of poor quality)  Have you heard about the beautiful saying –“Why buy a cow when the milk is so cheap/free"?  If you like a free ride rather than buying a vehicle of your own, and visit a library rather than paying from your pocket for newspaper,  this saying is meant for you.
1.So amazing! Everything is dirt cheap here.
2.Dresses are as cheap as chips here.
3.Be careful before buying this!  It may fold like a cheap suitcase.
4.He has never paid for any newspaper. He firmly believes in, “why buy a cow when the milk is free?”

Just for fun!
Girl : it’s five years since we started to love each other.  When are you going to marry me? 

Boy: ………..

Girl: You always want kisses as cheap as chips.  Why do you keep silent now? What about our marriage? Tell me when?

Boy: Why buy a cow when the milk is free?

Girl: What?! Rascal…You….. (chasing)

Have you heard about daylight robbery and highway robbery?

Today’s English
August 20th, 2017

If you have money, you can book first class ticket, five star hotel, study at first-rate college, wear a tip-top dress, buy a flat at a premium, order superior furniture, expensive car and enjoy a lavish life style.  Have you got it? First-class, five star, first rate, tip top, at a premium, superior, expensive, lavish, grand, classic, deluxe and exquisite are the terms which will be helpful to you to talk about things and services of high quality.

1. He booked a room for us in a deluxe hotel.
2. I would always like to read classic novels.
3. His choice was always to buy exquisite furniture.

In English, if you buy something expensive, you pay “a pretty penny” or “top dollar” for that.  If you pay through the nose, again it's expensive.

1. You know, I paid a pretty penny for my car.
2. She has paid top dollar for this deluxe flat.
3. Once she likes something, she will be ready to pay through the nose.

When you feel that the cost/price of something is too high, you can use the expressions “break the bank", highway robbery and daylight robbery. The first one is used when it’s humorously said but the other two express your shock and anger at the overpriced product.

1. Do you want me to buy this bungalow? Then I have to break the bank.
2. They are charging Rs. 5000/- just for registration.  It’s highway robbery.
3. Who will buy this third-rate watch for $100? It’s simply daylight robbery.

“Pride costs us more than hunger, thirst, and cold.”
- Thomas Jefferson

Can you put two and two together and make five?

Today’s English
August 19th, 2017

The word draw is a frequently used one in English.  You can draw a picture, draw somebody’s attention, or finish a Game in draw (without winning on either side). Here are few other expressions connected with draw and they may draw your attention to spoken English.

In English, to draw a line doesn’t simply mean to make a line. It’s used when you set a limit to something, and differentiate something. If “battle lines are drawn", it means that something has become very clear now.

1. You need not be a miser but at the same time, you should draw a line at spending your money. (=to set limit)
2. You may be friendly with him, but don’t forget to draw a line.(=to set limit)
3. Both of them behave in the same way. I couldn’t draw a line between them. (=I couldn’t differentiate).
4. The battle lines are drawn. It’s so apparent now which party allies with which one.

If you stop doing something, you can say that you have drawn curtains on it.  You can use the same when you keep something secret.
1. He decided to draw curtains on his long career.
2. You can’t draw any curtains on your love affair.  We already know about that.

Can you put two and two together and make five?  This English expression humorously carries the meaning that you have wrongly understood something.  If you are slow in understanding, people will say that you are slow on the draw.
1. He’s just my friend.  Why do you put two and two together and make five?
2. She’s slow on the draw. Please explain everything in detail.

When the wheel of fortune rotates, we don’t know which number it will stop on.  There are many occasions in life on which you have the least control.  This is what the phrase “the luck of the draw" means.

1. Winning this lottery is sheer luck of the draw.  There’s nothing in our hand.
2. How did he score this much? It’s just luck of the draw.

“Most of us have the good or bad fortune of seeing our lives fall apart so slowly we barely notice.”
- Carlos Ruiz Zafón, “The Shadow of the Wind”

Common English Errors with Abbreviations

Today’s English
August 19th, 2017

Abbreviations are compact, convenient and timesavers but many learners and users of English are often confused how to read and write them, especially where to use capital letters, whether to read as a word or spell letter by letter and whether to use apostrophe or not. It’s time to clear off all such clouds.

There are four kinds of abbreviations in English – acronyms, contractions, shortenings and initialisms.

Acronyms and the errors:
If you form a word from the initial letter of two or more words, this abbreviation is known as acronym. You should read acronym as a word, not as separate letters. The whole acronym can be in capital letters or only the first letter.  If the acronym has now become a common word, you can write it completely in small letters.
1.NASA – National Aeronautics and Space Administration. (Read as a word NASA, not as separate letters N…A….S….A. )
2.Aids or AIDS – Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (Read as a word. You can use all capital letters or only the first letter as done here)
3.laser – light amplification by the stimulated emission of radiation (the whole acronym is now written in small letters since it has become a common word.)

Initialisms and the errors
Like acronym, initialism is also an abbreviation formed from the initial letters of two or more words but the main difference is that an acronym is read as a word (AIDS) but an initialism is not read as a word but letter by letter (BBC).  Initialisms are mostly written in capital letters without full stops in British English, with full stops sometimes in American English.  Indians generally follow British English. 
1.DOB – Date of birth (Read letter by letter, not as a word. Don’t use full stop in between.)
2.DVD – Digital Versatile Disc or Digital video disc .
3.DVDs versus DVD's  (The first one is plural of DVD but the second one is possessive form - DVD's storage capacity is 4.7GB.)

Shortenings and errors
Shortening is an abbreviation in which the beginning or the end or sometimes both the beginning and end of a single word is dropped.  It is read as a word and written in small letters. Full stop is used at the end while shortening days, months and other non-English terms.
1.veg – a shortening of vegetables (end is dropped)
2.veggie – a shortening of vegetarian (end is dropped)
3.blog – a shortening of weblog (the beginning is left out)
4.fridge– a shortening of refrigerator (both the beginning and end are dropped)
5.Tue. Nov. etc.= Tuesday, November,  et cetera (don’t omit full stop after this type of shortening)

Contractions and the errors
Contraction is an abbreviation in which a letter or some letters in the middle of a word are omitted. Sometimes contractions are done in more than one word and an apostrophe is used then. (do not = don't)

1.Dr – contraction of Doctor (Don’t use full stop in British English. Dr Devarajan, Dr Senthil Kumar, etc. If you use a full stop, it’s American English.  The meaning of full stop in Latin is “the following letters are omitted.” When you say “Prof.” you can use full stop because “following letters -essor are omitted.  Oxford dictionary and Cambridge dictionary avoid use of full stop in Mr, Dr, Er, etc.)

2.Prof. – contraction of the title Professor (use full stop, Prof. Patel)

3.I’ll – contraction of I will (use apostrophe to mark the omission of “wi”)

4.won’t – contraction of will not

Relax!
(Manager : Being my PA, know the pros and cons and the dos and don’ts.  If you don’t, I can’t, then you won’t.  Haven’t you? For everything, I couldn’t. It’s yours, isn’t it?

PA : …………….???!)

Learn English from Proverbial Dialogue

Today’s English
August 18th, 2017

Disciple : Your one look is worth thousand words, Master. Your presence is a blessing.

Master: May be but don’t you know genius is one percent inspiration and ninety-nine perspiration.?

Disciple: Familiarity breeds contempt, master. How long should I do the same meditation here?

Master: Rome was not built in a day! No pain, no gain.

Disciple: Can you suggest something different to try here?

Master: All roads lead to Rome! All paths lead to Ganga!

Disciple: All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy. I’m such a Jack now.

Master: life is a Game. All work is too. Play it. Your spiritual path is constructed by yourself. Because, One man’s meat is another man’s poison.

Disciple: Do you mean, I should plan for myself?

Master: Failing to plan is planning to fail.

Disciple: Can’t you transfer your wisdom to me just with your blessing?

Master: You drink as much as you’re thirsty. I can lead the horse to water but I can’t make it drink.

Disciple: I met several masters. I applied different methods. Still I couldn’t realize myself.

Master : Jack of all trades, master of none. Don’t you know that the best things in life are free. Stop searching, watch in.

Disciple: one of my masters has said, If the shoe fits, wear it. But If you can’t stand the heat, get out of the kitchen.

Master: It’s better to light the candle than curse the darkness.

“He who cannot endure the bad will not live to see the good.”
- Jennifer Donnelly, “The Winter Rose” 

Life is a hide-and-seek game. Find where you are!

Today’s English
August 17th, 2017

1. New-born -  The World Health Organization defines newborn as a baby under 28days old.

2. Infant – It is derived from the Latin word “infans” that means “speechless" and “unable to speak".  Therefore the term can be used until the young child learns to speak. A young child between one month and one year of age is an infant.

3. Toddler – To toddle means to walk with short and unsteady steps.  A young child who has just learnt to walk is a toddler.  It generally happens around one year of age.

4. Baby – Cambridge dictionary defines baby as “a very young child, especially one that has not yet begun to  walk or talk.” Once it talks and walks, the terms infant and baby may be avoided. (Around one year).  But you can use it to address the person you love most at any age – your daughter, wife, husband, lover, etc.  (Oh baby, I’ll do anything for you.).  The same is an offensive word if it’s used when somebody behaves like a child or not very close to you. (Ah baby! Why do you ask about this?)

5. Child – a boy or girl until he or she becomes an adult(18 years old) is called as a child. But Child marriage refers to the one in which the girl is below 18 or the boy is below 21 as per Indian laws and child labour refers to employment before the age of 14. Childhood legally ends when a person reaches anywhere 15 to 21 depending upon the countries, mostly 18 in many countries.

6. Kids – an informal and common word for children

7. Tweener – a pre-teen child, especially between 9 and 12 is a tween or tweener.  This is called tweenage.

8. Teenager – a young person between thirteen and nineteen(all ages ending in “teen”) is a teenager.  You can say such a person – “you are in your early/late/sweet teens.”

9. Adult – a person whose childhood legally ends at 18 is an adult. (You have to watch 'adult only' or “18+” videos, if only you are really an adult).

10. Adolescent – a young person developing from a child into an adult. The WHO defines an adolescent as “a person aged 10 to 19 years inclusive.”

11. Youth – a young man or woman especially before becoming an adult. The period of life during this age is known as youth. Youngster is also a young person.

12. Man – an adult male human

13. Woman – an adult female human

14. Lady /gentleman – polite term for woman/ man

15. The middle-aged – people who are neither young nor old, between 45 and 65

16. The aged – very old people, above 65

17. Senior citizens – polite expression for aged people, generally people above 60 but in Indian railway, men above 60 and women above 58.

18. Sexagenarian – a person between 60 and 69

19. Septuagenarian – a person in seventies, between 70 and 79

20. Octogenarian – a person between 80 and 89

21. Nonagenarian – a person between 90 and 99

22. Centenarian – a person who is 100 and above

23. Supercentenarian – a person who has passed 110th birthday.

Do you know?
As per astrology, human life span is 120 years. Since the death of 117-year-old Emma Morano of Italy on 15 April 2017, 117-year-old Violet Brown of Jamaica, born 10 March 1900, is the oldest living person in the world whose age has been documented.

If he’s the Trojan horse, I’ll be the anti-virus.

Today’s English
August 16th, 2017

Have you heard of the phrase “Mexican standoff”?  It’s used when there is an everlasting argument between two people or groups, especially when there is zero chance for an agreement between them.  It’s just like holding each other at gunpoint – no proceed or retreat is possible.
1. I can’t say yes or no.  It’s simply a Mexican standoff.
2. She couldn’t resign the job, nor could she continue. It was a Mexican standoff.
3. Let’s get away from them.  Their argument is just a Mexican standoff.

Mano a mano is another phrase that points out any fight, quarrel or argument between two people.  If an argument is very strong to eliminate all oppositions, it’s called in English as a sledgehammer argument.  You can see in real life some people who will always disagree with you whatever decisions or statements you make.  This is what we say in English through the phrase “argue the toss.”

1. Everyday there is  mano a mano between me and my wife.
2. His sledgehammer argument won everybody’s favour in the debate.
3. Whatever you say, he will argue the toss. (=he will disagree with you.)

You can find some people who will be in an organization or team but do everything against it.  There are two beautiful phrases in English - Trojan horse and black sheep.  The first one refers to a person who works against his own group, organisation or team whereas the second one stands for a person who brings shame to his own family or group.  You will raise your eyebrows to know the story behind black sheep.  It’s said that the black wool from a black sheep born to the white flock is considered to be commercially undesirable as people find it difficult to dye. Thus it brings shame to the whole flock.  Think, then, why the song goes “baa baa black sheep, have you any wool?”.
Why Trojan horse? After a fruitless ten year war, the Greeks built a huge wooden horse inside which soldiers hid themselves and found victory over Troy when the horse was taken into the city by Trojans as a victory trophy. Today it refers to even a computer malicious programme intended to harm your system or steal away your data.

1. At last we identified the Trojan horse in our team.
2. I was shocked to see him the black sheep in our group.
3. If he’s the Trojan horse, I’ll be the Plumbytes anti-malware.

“I'm sorry to say that the subject I most disliked was mathematics. I have thought about it. I think the reason was that mathematics leaves no room for argument. If you made a mistake, that was all there was to it.”
- Malcolm X, “The Autobiography of Malcolm X”

Let’s hope for clean India on this Independence Day!

Today’s English
August 15th,2017

Cleanliness is next to godliness, isn’t it? It’s time to enrich our vocabulary on cleanliness both in and out.
If something like  a pot, room, board, shoe or dress is clean, it’s washed, polished, cleansed, mopped, broomed, brushed, wiped, sponged, flushed,  rubbed, scrubbed.white,neat, tidy and spotless. If you keep your room very clean and tidy, you keep them in apple-pie order.

1. Have you washed the plates?
2. Don’t forget to flush the urinal after use.
3. Just now I mopped the floor.
4. The days are gone since my wife polished my shoes.
5. He always keeps his room in apple-pie order.

If a paper, form, writing pad or note is clean, it’s untouched, unused, empty, blank, bare, fresh, plain, clear, new, pristine and unfilled.
1. Still many leaves of my note are unused.
2. She kept the application form unfilled as she had some doubts.
3. These are pristine and you would feel happy to use them first.

If air, water or food is clean, it’s fresh, pure, hygienic, healthy, uncontaminated, clear, unadulterated and distilled.
1. The patient needs clean air. Please open the window.
2. Get two bottles of distilled water for the battery.
3. Are these fruits fresh?

If you are a clean person, you are honest, virtuous, straightforward, decent, righteous, chaste, guiltless and innocent. The expressions to have clean hands and keep your hands clean also mean the same. Then you are a squeaky-clean person.
1. Our HOD has clean hands and she won’t be afraid of anybody.
2. He’s such a squeaky-clean person and nobody can question him.

The idioms “as clean as a whistle” and “ as clean as a new pin” are used when something is extremely clean.  If you clean your clock, it means, you beat or defeat somebody in the game quickly and effectively. When you wipe the slate clean, you actually give a fresh or new chance to someone.

1. I have never seen such a place as clean as a whistle/new pin.
2. Our players are much trained and they can easily clean your clock soon. 
3. Don’t worry.  Let me wipe the slate clean for you. (=let me give you a fresh chance)

The word “clean" is likely to be misunderstood in the expressions such as “make a clean breast of something” (= to frankly tell everything) and “clean your nose" (=to stay away from troubles). If you clean your plates, it means that you have eaten all food served to your plate. Officials use the phrase “clean bill of health" that is a statement certifying something to be safe, legal or in good financial condition..
1. If only you make a clean breast of the matter, I can help you.
2. First learn how to clean you nose that’s very important when you help others.
3. Don’t waste the food.  You have to clean your plate.
4. Our financial minister has produced clean bill of health on Indian economy.

Relax!
Father: Don’t forget to clean your plate.

Son: it’s already cleaned by mom. When I finish, she will again clean it.

Father: First learn some English idioms and they will help you to clean your nose.

Son: my nose is already clean dad.

Father: ………….?!

It’s time to know all that is yucky, icky, mucky and manky

Today’s English
August 14th, 2017

If something is dirty, we say that it’s unclean, mucky, manky, untidy, soiled, defiled, foul and messed up. If we spread a liquid or substance and make something dirty, we may use the word “smear".
1.The room was so untidy and I couldn’t sit there.
2.She defiled her beauty by over makeup.
3.The floor has been soiled and needs a cleaning.
4.The children smeared the jam all over the sofa.
5.I can’t use these foul toilets. / Arun, have you messed up the whole room again?

If you play dirty, it means that you play tricks / use unfair or dishonest means to win.  Grubby hands refer to dishonest people and corrupt hands.

1.Don’t try to play dirty and win.
2.Don’t play dirty with me! Stop all your nonsense.
3.We should be careful that these files don’t fall into grubby hands.

What about dirty jokes? They are obscene, indecent, vulgar, offensive and naughty jokes that people disgust. If something is extremely unpleasantly dirty, we use the word “filthy".  Filthy or mucky pictures and videos are also sexually offensive ones.

1.Don’t play dirty jokes here.
2.If you post dirty /filthy pictures or videos, you will be removed from this WhatsApp group.
3.Most of the government public toilets are always filthy.
4.I still wonder how they live surrounded by these filthy conditions.

If you smear or tarnish somebody’s reputation, it means that you spoil their reputation.  You pollute nature and make it dirty and harmful.  You contaminate water and dangerous or poisonous substances are present in them. Unsanitary or insanitary places are those which are dirty and likely to cause diseases.

1.By these scandals, you can never tarnish my reputation.
2.Students became sick after drinking the contaminated water.
3.The unsanitary conditions around the hostel posed a great danger to the inmates.

If something is unpleasant to your eyes, especially colours, you can use the words yucky and icky. 
1.Drawing is good but the colours are so yucky and disgusting.
2.Who will like a car with this icky colour?

“We must clean the lens of our hearts to see the state of our souls. However, too often the former is too dirty to even know that the latter exists.”
-Craig D. Lounsbrough

Differences: adverb, adverbial and adjunct

Today’s English
August 13th, 2017

Adverb is a word that adds something to the meaning of a verb but an adverbial can be not only a word (adverb) but also a phrase or clause:
1. He came 'yesterday.' (Adverb)
2. He came in the afternoon. (Adverbial phrase)
3. He came 'to collect money from me.' (Adverbial phrase)
4. He came 'because/as he needed some money.' (Adverbial clause)

An adverb or adverbial answers four questions: where?, when?, why? and how?
1. He danced 'on the stage.' (Where?)
2. He danced yesterday. (When?)
3. He danced like a rock star. (How?)
4. He danced to collect fund for the poor.(Why?)

Adverbial versus adjunct
An adverbial adds to the meaning of a verb and becomes an integral part of the sentence and without that the sentence won’t be meaningful.  But an adjunct adds additional, extra or optional meaning to a sentence without which the sentence is not affected.
1. I kept my key on the shelf. (Adverbial, you cannot just say “I kept my key”)
2. I kept my key near the book on the shelf.(near the book is adjunct and can be removed)

“Glenn used to say the reason you can't really imagine yourself being dead was that as soon as you say, 'I'll be dead,' you've said the word I, and so you're still alive inside the sentence. And that's how people got the idea of the immortality of the soul - it was a consequence of grammar.”
- Margaret Atwood, “The Year of the Flood”

I can do it at the push of a button. And you?

Today’s English
August 12th, 2017

Yesterday was difficult but today is going to be easy.  Any work that requires less amount of skill, effort and time is easy, simple, effortless,  trouble-free, idiot-proof, child’s play, child’s word, easy-peasy, duck-soup, a piece of cake, as easy as ABC, manageable, compliant and user-friendly.

1. Don't worry. Our products come out with idiot-proof instructions.
2. It’s just duck soup and I can do it.
3. You may find it difficult but it’s child’s play to him.
4. Life has never been a piece of cake like this.

If yours is “Take it easy policy", you are often natural, sociable, calm, serene, undisturbed, trouble-free, friendly, amiable, quiet, relaxed, easy-going,  peaceful and unworried.  Instead of saying 'take it easy', you can say "be at leisure", take your ease, feel at home, enjoy yourself, entertain yourself, hang loose, stay loose, let it all hang out, take things easy, take a cold shower, relax, chill out and kick back.

1. It’s time to enjoy yourself.  Why do you worry about it?
2. Don’t bother about other’s comments.  Let it all hang out.
3. Hang loose!  Don’t take everything seriously.
4. His life’s always easy-going wherever he is.
5. What about her dressing? Are you disturbed? Yes, I have to take a cold shower.

If you did something very easily, you can say that you did it just “at the push of a button” or “at the stroke of a pen.”   The expression “one hand tied behind your back" also means the same.

1. You can’t do everything at the push of a button, mind it.
2. If a principal/manager/C.M wants to change everything, they can do it just at the stroke of a pen.
3. She’s capable of doing everything just with one hand tied behind her back.

“Observing and commenting, it is a piece of cake.
Experiencing and sharing, that is a piece of work.
- Toba Beta, “My Ancestor Was an Ancient Astronaut”

Is your job a heavy cross to bear?

Today’s English
August 11th, 2017

When doing a work needs much skill, effort, time we say that it’s difficult, problematic, complicated, hard, strenuous, tough, arduous, laborious, tedious, tiresome, troublesome, toilsome, hellish, Herculean, Himalayan and backbreaking.  People who are very difficult to deal with are said to be unhelpful, uncooperative, stubborn, obstinate, bullheaded and pigheaded.  Difficult times in your life are those moments which are unfavorable, unfortunate, inconvenient, adverse, bad, terrible, dreadful, hard, nightmarish, direful and distressing.

How to talk about difficult things and situations in life?
If something or somebody is very difficult to deal with, you can say that it /  he is a heavy cross to bear, a hard or tough nut to crack and a bitter pill to swallow.

1. This new responsibility is really a heavy cross to bear.
2. Nobody can answer this question, you know, it’s a hard nut to crack.

Albatross is a large white bird living near the Pacific and South Atlantic oceans.  But its name is used to refer to any person who is giving trouble to you and from whom you want to be free. It can all so be used for a troublesome thing.

1. My uncle is really an albatross and treats me like a slave. 
2. Do you take me as an albatross?
3. Corruption is an albatross to many countries even today.

There is also another beautiful phrase – the tip of the iceberg. It refers to a small noticeable part of the problem whose full unknown real size is still much bigger. 
1. The strike of Government employees shows you only the tip of the iceberg.
2. What you know is only the tip of the iceberg. Soon you will see the remaining.

3. The merit of all things lies in their difficulty.
- Alexandre Dumas, “The Three Musketeers”

Learn English from “The Immortals of Meluha”

Today’s English
August 10th, 2017

You would often hear from an English teacher – “Read short stories and novels and you can make headway in a fun way.”  It’s true that novels take you to a world of real-life situations and conversations and ease up your try for picking up day-to-day English. Why can’t you try free e-book apps like “oodles books” and “Amazon Kindle”  and start reading today itself.  Here is a sample novel – “ The Immortals of Meluha” by Amish, published in 2010.

Let’s try how we can make use of expressions in the book for our real-life situations:

1.Call it a day = to retire, to decide to stop doing something

A.Let’s call it a day and resume the work tomorrow.
B.It’s time to call it a day. I can’t work anymore. My battery is fully down!

2.Fight pointless battles = argue or quarrel without any purpose, not worth doing

A.Let me stop all my pointless battles with my boss.
B.Why do you fight pointless battles with your wife.  Just say yes for all and soon she will forget what she asked for.

3.Stand shoulder-to-shoulder with somebody = to stand united with somebody, to be close together, next to each other

A.I want you all to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with me in completing the work.
B.I could see all students stand shoulder-to-shoulder getting ready for the rally.

4.Hope for the best, prepare for the worst= have positive attitude, be prepared for disasters

A.Hope for the best! I’m sure, the exam is going to be very easy for you.
B.My daddy was so angry. I was prepared for the worst before attending his call.
C.We have to be prepared for the worst. Anything may happen at any time here.

5.It’s just /only a matter of time = you are sure that something will happen but don’t know when it will.
A.You’re pouring out all your energy.  Surely you will get the government job one day.  It’s just a matter of time.
B.Wait and see our demands fulfilled soon.  It’s only a matter of time.

Chillax!
Hubby: Why do you lock the doors inside now at day time?

Wife: yes, you call it a day and resume all your work tomorrow.

Hubby: Are you going to fight pointless battles again?

Wife: Give me your phone now. Tell me who’s that lady standing shoulder-to-shoulder with you.

Hubby: She’s a new staff.  I don’t know anything about her.  Believe me!

Wife: Do you know what I’m gonna to do now with doors locked inside?

Hubby: Let me hope for the best and be prepared for the worst!

For the review of the book mentioned in today’s English, visit
http://fantasybookcritic.blogspot.in/2013/01/the-immortals-of-meluha-by-amish.html?m=1

Differences: happiness, joy, pleasure, delight, bliss, and ecstasy

Today’s English
August 9th, 2017

The happiness that comes from sweets and ice cream, the one from helping others, the one from a child’s innocent reply or behavior, that which is from watching natural sceneries, that you have while loving a person and the one you have through spiritual experiences are not the same, are they?  What makes the difference is whether it’s sensual or spiritual, whether it appeals to your mind or felt at heart and whether it’s little or great, temporary or long lasting. 

Happiness versus joy
Have you ever thought why we don’t use another word except “happy" to greet others in expressions such as “happy birthday” “happy friendship day" and “happy pongal”?  Happiness is a frequently used word for several contexts including the special occasions for wishing someone. You feel happy when something good happens to you.   Joy is a feeling of great happiness. So you often cry out of joy and jump out!  It’s felt a bit deeper in your heart than happiness.  So you shed tears of joy, not tears of happiness.

1. She’s happy with her job now. / Are happy now? / Happy Christmas!
2. They shouted with joy. / She shed tears of joy when her daughter was praised on the stage.

Pleasure versus delight
External objects, person and activities can give you pleasure.  You can read for pleasure, play for pleasure, dance for pleasure and watch movies for the same.  Delight is a feeling of great pleasure arising from the heart.  Love delights you.  Nature delights you.  Melodies delight you.  You read stories and novels for pleasure but you read poems for delight.  Robert Frost is right when he says, “A poems begins in delight and ends in wisdom.”

1. Everybody gets pleasure in watching TV and browsing the net.
2. I take pleasure in reading detective novels.
3. The flower show delighted me a lot.
4. Lovers are delighted at speaking through eyes.

Bliss versus Ecstasy
Bliss is extreme happiness that arises from heart and lasts for a long time.  It’s also the term for serene joy arising out of your spiritual experiences such as helping the needy, realisation of truth and union with God.  Newly married life for the first few months or years (?!) is blissful and realisation of true God and your own self is blissful for ever.
Ecstasy is overpowering joy and you are often out of your own control and sometimes you may even fall unconscious because it’s rapturous and throws you into madness. You can dissolve yourself at ecstasy by taking drugs or drinks. But bliss is empowering delight and you are enjoying total consciousness in full control.
1. Married life takes you to sheer bliss that cannot be put into words.
2. Know yourself and you will be blissful for ever. / Ignorance is bliss. (You need not worry about something if you don’t know about it)
3. He lost himself in sheer ecstasy after taking the drugs.
4. He was not himself when ecstasy poured through him.

“Now a soft kiss - Aye, by that kiss, I vow an endless bliss.”
- John Keats, “Endymion”

Are you still on the slow boat to China?

Today’s English
August 8th, 2017

'Slow and study wins the race' is of course true but doing something very slowly would irritate others and solution may become a question mark.  What happened to 7th pay commission in Tamil Nadu? How many files on the government tables move as slow as a snail?  30 million cases are in pending and 90 million people are awaiting the justice as per the news by Hindustan Times in 2016. 

If a person likes sleeping more and working less, he is a sluggard, a lazy guy.  If a person does works very slowly, he is a slowpoke. If a person is very slow in understanding, he is muttonheaded, dullheaded, boneheaded and dopey.

1. Why did you give this work to that sluggard? 
2. I don’t know how to deal with these slowpokes.
3. Soon I realized that he was a muttonheaded fellow.
4. His each response proved that he was absolutely dopey.

If you want to use polite terms to talk about people who understand things slowly, you can use the phrase – “slow on the uptake" and those who understand fast – “quick on the uptake".

1. He’s a little slow on the uptake but very obedient.
2. Nancy is a bit quick on the uptake and I’ve no problem with her.

When you are moving extremely slowly, you are going ahead at snail’s pace.  You can score in ones and twos (=in small numbers) and explain a project inch by inch (=in great detail, step by step). Spend at least 10 minutes a day for improving your English and by and by you will see the progress. (=by degrees, gradually)

1. Due to heavy traffic, we have to move at snail’s pace.
2. By saving in ones and twos, she managed money for her daughter’s marriage.
3. Thanks for explaining the mechanism inch by inch.
4. By and by I learnt the entire work involved into it.

If you are waiting for a very long time for somebody or doing something for a very long time, you can say that you are on a slow boat to China.
1. I don’t know how long we have to be on a slow boat to China like this.
2. What about your career advancement?  We’re still on the slow boat to China.

“I once visited a village of primitive people.
At village, I felt time and life moved slower.”
- Toba Beta, “My Ancestor Was an Ancient Astronaut”

I see, a sword of Damocles hangs over your head

Today’s English
August 7th, 2017

All the following sentences are, of course, wrong. Can you say why?

1.He hanged the clock/picture/photo/calendar on the wall.
2.Her long hair hanged down to the ground.
3.When they caught him red-handed, he hanged his head in shame.

The verb form “hanged" is the past and past participle of hang and it must be used only in the sense of killing a person by tying a rope around the neck.  In all other senses of hanging, the verb form “hung" should be used for past and past participle.  So the sentences need to be corrected as follows:

1.He hung the clock/picture/photo/calendar on the wall.
2.Her long hair hung down to the ground.
3.When they caught him red-handed, he hung his head in shame.
4.They hanged him in public so that others wouldn’t commit such a rape in future.
5.He hanged himself last night. (=committed suicide)

Differences: hang on, hang on to and hang out
1.Hang on = wait
A.Hang on a minute please. My son is getting ready.
B.(Over phone) Hang on please.  Let me check whether he’s here.

2.Hang on to= keep and don’t sell
A.I have to hang on to this old watch that’s from my great grandfather.
B.Why do you still hang on to these old things?

3.Hang out = to spend a lot of time in a place, to dry your washed clothes
A.I was happy with my friends, hanging out the whole day at Brookefields.
B.Have you hung the washing out? / I hung out the washing just now.

If you feel that something bad is going to happen to a person, you can use the expression – “a sword of Damocles hangs over the head" .  (It actually comes from the story in which Damocles the courtier in the kingdom of  Syracuse had to eat his delicious food with a sword hanging above his head tied to a thin horsehair.  The king made such arrangement to make Damocles realise how people with power couldn’t enjoy the luxury gifted to them since they should be cautious of thousand and one things around them.)

A.He’s inviting troubles to himself. I see, a sword of Damocles hanging over his head.
B.All ministers nowadays have the Damocles hanging over their head.

If you want to buy something without worrying about the expense, you “hang the cost/expense".  If you admire someone, you listen to their words with full attention.  This is what “hang on somebody’s words" means.

A.It’s so beautiful. Let’s buy this and hang out the cost.
B.My wife used to hang on my words when we started the married life. Now she has muted me and hung on to the words of serial actresses.

“If my Valentine you won't be,
I'll hang myself on your Christmas tree.”
-Ernest Hemingway, “88 Poems”

How to thank your well-wishers in English?

Today's English
August 6th, 2017
Vote of Thanks for the Citizens of the World

Thanks to my mummy and daddy
Who Xeroxed me into their Mini-me.
Deeply beholden to my teacher who
Made my feature and future.

My sincere gratitude to the sages
Who made my life's spiritual pages.
I extend my thanks to house-makers
No rain, no pain. Their roof, my safety's proof.

Much obliged to food-makers, with infinite compassion,
And fountains of sweat, be my life-makers.
Pleased to thank Mr.Wind, like a Spider-Man,
Who jumps in and out to electrify my life.

My heartfelt thanks to Miss.Water, Ocean's daughter
Who rules and cools Mother E and Me.
Deeply indebted to Day's King who expects no respect,
But showers his energy to power my life.

I'm grateful to Almighty, the Source of me and ALL,
Yet All Resources to me.
My Path, my Journey, my Destination.
Thanks Heaven for Thy Call to Come Home.

Note: (thanksgiving phrases used in the poem) 1. Thanks to, 2. I feel much beholden to, 3. I express my sincere gratitude to, 4. I extend my thanks to, 5. I feel much obliged to, 6. My heartfelt thanks to, 7. I'm deeply indebted to, 8.I'm grateful to, 9.Thanks Heaven, 10.Pleased to thank.

“God gave you a gift of 84,600 seconds today. Have you used one of them to say thank you?”
-William Arthur Ward

Don’t you know curiosity killed the cat?

Today’s English
August 5th, 2017

If you are very anxious and excited to know something such as result, judgement and what would happen in a particular situation, in English, it can be said that you are “on pins and needles" or “on tenterhooks.” Awaiting is a little painful, isn’t it? That’s why it’s said you are on pins and needles.

1. I did the exam well, still I’m on pins and needles awaiting the result.
2. We’re on tenterhooks to know the management’s decision on increment this year.

If a person says, “curiosity killed the cat", you should understand that it’s a warning to you not to ask so many questions about their private affairs.  Yes, why should we “stick our nose into” their personal life out of curiosity? 

1. Stop talking about my married life again and again.  Don’t you know, curiosity killed the cat?
2. How many times have I told you not to stick your nose into her personal life?

If you pay your full attention to something out of excitement and forget everything else, it’s certain that you “are on the edge of your seat.” If you are too anxious about something, your anxiety itself will make you very much nervous and worried.  Then, you are just “a bundle of nerves.”

1. It’s such a film that it’ll keep you on the edge of your seat from the beginning to end.
2. Would you like to know his affair with her? I’m sure, it’ll bring you to the edge of your seat.
3. Whenever the board exam result comes, our students are just a bundle of nerves.

Chillax!
Meena: I’m on pins and needles, tell me whether you love him or not?

Praveena: Don’t you know curiosity killed the cat?

Meena: I’ll kill you now if you don’t open your mouth, you know, I’m your friend.

Praveena: it’s something personal.  Why do you poke your nose into it?

Meena: yes, I have to.  I’m a bundle of nerves now.

Praveena: tell me why.

Meena: it may put you on the edge of your seat to know. But it’s time to tell you. I too love him. I’m also on tenterhooks now.

Praveena:………….?!

Don’t ask for the moon.

Today’s English
August 4th, 2017

Have you heard this story? A rich businessman met a sage and told him that he had everything in life but not peace.  The Rishi asked him to write his appeal in a paper. The man wrote – “I want peace.”  The Rishi simply struck off the first two words and gave him the paper back.  This was the solution.  “I" (ego) and “want" (desire) are the huge rocks which block the sunshine of peace.  However the more we want, the more we need different words to express our feelings and desires.  Language is but the dress of your thoughts, feelings and desires.

Ten Words to Express Your Desires:
(Wish, want, desire, long for, burn, aspire to, fancy for, act on impulse, prefer and yearn)
1. I wish, tomorrow is my retirement day. / I wish, I had a new sari/car like this.
2. I want this work to be done before evening. / She wants a meeting with you.
3. He had a strong desire for money and power.
4. He longed for the peaceful life he had earlier.
5. He was burning for her.
6. He aspired to be the next president.
7. I fancied for a BMW car after joining the job.
8. Think twice. Don’t act on impulse.
9. I prefer ice cream to biscuits. (=I like ice cream rather than biscuits)
10. She yearned for acting in Sankar's film.

Expressions to carry your wants

1. To have an eye for something = to deeply desire for
A. He has an eye for the principal’s post.
B. I thought, you had an eye for me. Not at all.

2. To your heart’s desire = to have as much as you want
A. Eat to your heart’s desire and all these items are only for you.
B. I talked to her to my heart’s desire and felt so happy about that.

3. Ask for the moon = desire for something extraordinary or unavailable
A. Don’t ask for the moon and take what is available here.
B. Do you think that I’m asking for the moon? I just want to study abroad.

4. Lick your lips = to long for having something
A. Why can’t we order for some ice creams? See! kids are licking their lips.
B. He is always licking his lips for more and more money.

5. Something is calling you = feel a strong desire to get it
A. Wait for a while. Pizza is calling me. (=let me go and get pizza first)
B. This new model bike is calling me a lot. I need to save more money to buy that.

“To burn with desire and keep quiet about it is the greatest punishment we can bring on ourselves.
- Federico García Lorca, “Blood Wedding and Yerma”

Learn English from Charles Dickens

Today’s English
August 3rd, 2017

Charles Dickens (1812-1870),one of the greatest novelists (perhaps, children’s novelists) of the Victorian era is best remembered for his novels “A Tale of Two Cities”, “Great Expectations” and “Oliver Twist".  Everyone would raise their eyebrows to know that how a boy who left school and worked in a factory could become later an editor of a weekly journal for 20 years and write 15 novels and hundreds of short stories. The words and phrases coined by Dickens are as great in number as those by Shakespeare and Milton and he is quoted for 9218 citations in Oxford English Dictionary.  Let’s try a few words and expressions coined and popularised by Dickens:

1.Word: devil-may-care

Meaning: careless,  not worrying about the outcome/consequences of your actions

Source: from the Pickwick Papers, 1837

Examples:
A.What I don’t like is her devil-may-care attitude that hurts everyone.
B.His devil-may-care response irritated me a lot.

2.Word: lummy

Meaning: cute, first-rate

Source: from Oliver Twist, 1839

Examples:
A.He arranged his party in a lummy restaurant. (=first-rate)
B.I still like to play with his lummy daughter Venya. (=cute)

3.Word: rampage

Meaning: to move through a place with lot of noise and causing damage

Source: Great Expectations, 1860

Examples:
A.The agitators rampaged through the street setting fire to cars.
B.Seventeen cases have been filed against the protesters who rampaged through the city yesterday.

4.Word: flummox

Meaning: to confuse somebody a lot

Source: The Pickwick Papers

Examples:
A.The last question in the quiz programme flummoxed me a lot.
B.I was completely flummoxed by her contradictory statements.

5. Expression: have someone’s number

Meaning: to know or understand someone more and get an advantage of that

Source: from  Bleak House

Examples:
A.Don’t worry! I have his number and he can’t cheat me.
B.Have you got her number? Yes, of course.

“There are books of which the backs and covers are by far the best parts.
-Charles Dickens, Oliver Twist

Differences: change, modify and alter

Today’s English
August 2nd, 2017

Change versus modify

Change means to make something different or to become different completely from the earlier state whereas modify refers to "to slightly change something as you wish or need."  If you change your dress, you wear a different dress and if the signal changes from red to green, it completely changes. You cannot use “modify" here. 

Modification occurs when you make slight changes to a software to make it suitable for the current requirements.   You can modify the content of a document that means that you make slight changes in the words or structures and you don’t change it completely. 

1. I changed my mind not to go there. (Complete change from earlier state).
2. Have you changed your car? What happened to the old one?
3. You can modify it a little rather than buying a new one.
4. I feel, we can slightly modify the design to make it damn good.

People are generally shocked at complete change.  Anything can change for the better but an unwanted change that creates troubles on the way of other people is denoted by the expression “move the goal posts".  A complete change of opinion, plan or behaviour is called “an about-turn" and “turn into a new leaf.”  If you change yourself according to the circumstances, to the current needs of the time, it is said that “you move with the times.”  There is another beautiful expression that a leopard can’t /doesn’t change its spots that means, a person cannot change his nature, behaviour or character, especially something bad completely.  If you change a person in the middle of the work, as said in the English expression,  “change the horse in the middle of a race", you will be the loser.

1. We’re going to the park, not to the movie.  Why have you taken the about-turn?
2. What can we do if the management often moves the goalposts? (=often changes it’s rules, policies, plans)
3. It is said, Gandhiji turned into a new leaf after watching the drama “Harichanthra.”
4. His dressing and the old specs showed that he didn’t move with the times.
5. Once she decides, nobody can change her mind, You know, a leopard can’t change its spots.
6. The manager shouldn’t have removed her from the team. Now he feels sorry for changing the horse in the middle of the race.

Alter versus change
Like modification, alter means slight change in something, not complete change. Though in some places, alter and change can be used interchangeably, alter always sound more formal than change.   Alter is specifically used in changing the size, design, structure and appearance of something.  You can alter the new dress according to your height and here you cannot use the word change or modify.

1. Do you need any alterations in this dress?
2. We have proposed to alter the elevation of the house.
3. Any alterations or additions in features would invite extra charges.

Chillax!

Wife: I’ve decided to stop watching TV serials.

Hubby:  It’s a change for the better.

Wife: I’m also thinking of uninstalling whatsapp and Facebook.

Hubby: you’ve turned into a new leaf.

Wife: I’d like to install some edutainment apps for our kids.

Hubby: Well, you move with the times.

Wife: I even advised my friend not to quarrel with her husband and apply for divorce.

Hubby: It’s good not to change the horse in the middle of the race.

Wife: But, one condition, you should also uninstall your apps as I do.

Hubby: Why do you make such an about-turn?

Wife: So that you will be free to listen to my complaints about your mother.

Hubby: I understand, a leopard can’t change its dots!