Video of the Moment : Prince William and Kate Middleton To Marry (Sky News–16 November 2010)

http://news.sky.com/skynews/Home/UK-News/Royal-Wedding-Prince-William-And-Kate-Middleton-To-Marry-Next-Year/Article/201011315810564

 

to wait in the wings	-	attendre dans les coulisses
to take centre stage	-	arriver sur le devant de la scène
relieved	-	soulagé, déchargé
fairytale	-	un conte de fée
to pop the question (informal)	-	demander la main d’une femme
to date someone	-	sortir avec quelqu’un
expected	-	attendu, espéré
to fail	-	échouer
to catch the eye of someone	-	accrocher le regard
a crush (idiomatic)	-	le béguin, la toquade
a boarding school	-	le pensionnat
to pin	-	fixer avec une punaise
prying eyes	-	des yeux indiscrèts
to graduate	-	terminer ses études
the bubble of privacy burst	-	la bulle d’intimité a éclaté
to pass out (British)	-	términer avec succès (une université militaire ou un centre de formation de la police)
to set tongues wagging	-	faire jaser
reminiscent	-	évocateur
rumours swell	-	les rumeurs gonflent
scrutiny	-	le regard scrutateur
to take its toll	-	faire des ravages
the spotlight	-	la sellette, la une
high profile	-	à forte visibilité, médiatique
stroke	-	dit pour un événement important mais inattendu
to hijack an event	-	récupérer un événement

Idioms & Slang (Video) : Going Dutch

If we go Dutch, it means that everyone pays for their own meal, drinks, entertainment, etc. when they go somewhere together. This can also be called a Dutch date or a Dutch treat.

However, this is commonly practiced amongst non-intimate friends, but can be considered stingy if it is a romantic date or even at a business lunch.

The origins of the expression are a bit cloudy. One school of thought says that it probably came from a Dutch tradition where in the Netherlands it wasn’t uncommon to pay separately when going out as a group.

It is also possible that the expression came about in England during the Anglo-Dutch wars to promote negative Dutch stereotypes. An other example of the latter is Dutch courage, also called liquid courage, because it requires large amounts of alcohol to obtain courage!

Funny Video : Geico Commercial – Woodchucks Chucking Wood

This funny television commercial by Geico is adapted from an old tongue twister: ‘How much could a woodchuck chuck, if a woodchuck could chuck wood.’ Now say that 10 times real fast! A woodchuck is another name for a groundhog which in French translates to une marmotte.

As you can probably deduce from the video, to chuck is an informal verb meaning ‘to throw.’ It also has the meaning of throwing something away you no longer want. In British English, if you chuck someone such as a boyfriend, girlfriend or spouse (un époux, une épouse) , you end the relationship.

Funny Video : Geico Commercial – Drill Sergeant as Therapist

to switch to	-	to change from one thing to another
a drill sergeant / a drill instructor	-	someone in the army responsible for training soldiers to march and other basic military exercises Learn more at : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Drill_sergeant
to chug on over (slang)	-	to go
mamby-pamby (slang)	-	cowardly
a jackwagon	-	an insult probably invented for this television advertisement to avoid saying “jackass,” an insulting term for a stupid person.
a crybaby (slang)	-	a person such as a child who frequently cries, like a baby

Video Of the Moment / Vocabulary In the News : ‘No Appetite’ for Comprehensive Immigration Reform (taken from Newsy.com)

In his first speech on immigration, President Obama called the system “broken," urging Congress to toughen enforcement of existing laws.

Newsy’s sources: CNN / KSAZ / The Huffington Post / The Guardian / ABC

For a full transcript, go HERE!

Multisource political news, world news, and entertainment news analysis by Newsy.com

to toughen / to toughen up	-	to become more strict, or to make something more strict Example: Due to the current economic crisis, many countries are toughening (up) financial rules.
to be a matter of	-	to be a question of Example: It’s only a matter of time before he realizes the mistake he made.
undocumented (adj.)	-	lacking documentation or authentication; lacking proper immigration or working papers Example: About 60% of the illegal alien population in the US are "undocumented aliens," who are commonly known as "unlawful border crossers," or more properly known as "illegal aliens."
to make a mockery of something	-	to make someone or something seem stupid or useless Example: Ten-year marriage contracts would make a total mockery of marriage vows.
to urge	-	to advise someone very strongly about what action or attitude they should take Example: Environmentalists are urging the US Government to stop drilling for oil in the Gulf of Mexico.
an appetite for	-	to advise someone very strongly about what action or attitude they should take Example: The public’s appetite for celebrity gossip seems insatiable. Synonym: a desire for
mixed (adj.)	-	mixed feelings or emotions make you not certain how you feel about someone or something Example: Teachers have mixed feelings about the use of distance language teaching.
coverage (uncountable)	-	news about something on television or radio or in the newspapers Example: People around the world watched live coverage of the FIFA World Cup on television.
to shine a spotlight on something	-	to give a lot of importance to, to give a lot of public attention to Example: The BP oil spill is shining the spotlight on how dangerous and difficult deepwater drilling can be. Other expressions: to be in the spotlight (= to have a lot of public attention) ≠ to be out of the spotlight
after (prep.)	-	in quest or pursuit of something Example: Participants in Star Academy are seeking after fame. / Some believe that President Obama is going after amnesty for illegal immigrants.
a spin (informal / uncountable)	-	a way of presenting information, especially a way that makes something seem good or less bad Example: Not even the craftiest politician could put a positive spin on this. Other Expressions: to spin a story / a spin doctor (=someone who works in public relations or the media who presents news in a way to promote a particular political agenda, they usually try to make a situation look better or worse than what it really is)
to enact legislation	-	to make into an act or statute Example: With the president’s signature, the new legislation/bill on healthcare reform was enacted into law.
to stem	-	to stop something from spreading or increasing, especially something bad Example: France passed a new retirement policy in an attempt to stem an increasing budget deficit.
misguided (adj.)	-	a misguided idea or action is based on judgments or opinions that are wrong Example: Many people believe that the war in Iraq was misguided. Synonym: unfounded
the purview	-	the area of responsibility or influence that a person or organization has Example: Organizing new training is under the purview of the human resources department.
to put forth (formal)	-	to state or offer an idea, opinion, plan ,etc Example: The French government put forth a plan to reform retirement benefits.
to require	-	if a rule, law, contract etc requires something, you must do that thing Example: Car insurance is required by law in most countries.
to be driven by something	-	is motivated by Example: He is driven by the desire to be the best football player.
to outline	-	to give the main ideas of a plan or a piece of writing without giving all the details Example: The document outlines our company’s recycling policy.
contentious (adj.)	-	causing disagreement between people or groups Example: Abortion in the United States is a major contentious issue.
to take something/someone on	-	to fight or compete against someone Example: The United States took on Ghana at the FIFA World Cup but was eliminated by them.
pandering (from the verb ‘to pander’)	-	this is the act of saying or doing what someone wants in order to please them, even though you know it isn’t right. Example: Politicians do a lot of pandering during election time and really don’t mean a lot of what they say or promise.

 

So, what do you think? Did the president’s speech on comprehensive immigration reform make any progress or was he simply pandering? What immigration reform would you like to see in your country? Please feel free to leave your comments!

Video Of the Moment : Movie – Wall Street “Greed is Good!”

At the shareholder's meeting, Gekko (Michael Douglas) announces that "greed is good."

corporate (adj)	-	relating to large companies, or to a particular large company Example: Coca-Cola's corporate headquarters are in Atlanta, Georgia Related terms: a corporation, corporate America (= big businesses in America), corporate culture
unfit (adj. – superlative form used in video : unfittest)	-	not having the right qualities to do a particular job or activity (Ex. an unfit mother) Synonyms: incompetent, incapable ≠ fit
survival of the fittest (Evolutionary theory)	-	the idea that your survival depends on competing successfully within your environment with other creatures of your own type Example: In business, it’s the survival of the fittest
in my book (expression)	-	used when giving your strong opinion about something Example: She’s the best teacher in this school, in my book.
a deal	-	a formal agreement, especially in business or politics Related terms to show a successful deal: do/cut/make/reach/ strike a deal (with someone) ; a deal goes through Related term to show a deal couldn’t be made: a deal falls through
to be involved with something	-	to be connected with Example: He denied that he was involved with organized crime.
a stockholder (American) / a shareholder (British)	-	someone who owns stocks (=equal parts into which a company’s money is divided) in a company.
greed	-	a strong wish to have more money, things, or power than you need Example: a growing culture of corporate greed (=the greed of large companies);  their greed for power
for lack of something	-	a situation in which you do not have any, or enough, of something that you need or want Example:  We couldn’t find her passport, but it wasn’t for lack of trying (=we tried hard to find it).
to cut through something	-	1. to deal quickly and effectively with something that causes problems or is confusing; 2. to make a path through something by cutting Example: 1. We need to cut through the political rhetoric and see what really lies behind the policy. 2. He cut his way through the jungle with a machete.
upward (adj.)	-	moving or turned toward a higher position
a surge	-	a sudden increase
mankind	-	all humans considered as a single group. Note: Some people avoid using this word because they think it is offensive to women, and they use ‘humankind’ instead Synonyms: humankind, the human race
mark my words (expression)	-	used for telling someone to listen carefully to what you are saying, especially because you will be proved right in the future Example: President Obama will not be reelected in 2012, mark my words.
malfunctioning (adj.)	-	not working or operating correctly Synonyms: failing, flopping ≠ functioning, working, successful

Video of the Moment : Movie – Toy Story 3 “Ken Meets Barbie”

The toys are given a tour by Ken (Michael Keaton), who is quite impressed by the blonde Barbie.

to donate	to give something such as money or goods to an organization, especially to a school, hospital, political party, or charity
a loss (singular)	a disadvantage that you have when someone leaves or when you cannot use something any longer
to settle in	to make yourself comfortable in a place because you are going to stay there for a long time
Far out! (informal exclamation)	Cool!
in a jiff / in a jiffy (informal)	very quickly, or very soon
folks (informal)	used for talking to a group of people (Ex. “What do you folks think?”)
an ascot	a broad neck scarf that is looped under the chin (Note: they are playing the words “ass” and “cut”, a bit too osé on the part of Pixar if you ask me!)
recess (American) / break (British)	a period between school classes when students can eat, rest, or play
Right on! (informal exclamation)	used for emphasizing that you agree with or support someone or something
to look forward to something	to feel happy and excited about something that is going to happen
stuffed	a stuffed toy or cushion has been filled with a soft material
puffed	big, round, and light
buffed	made to shine after being polished

Video of the Moment : Movie - The Devil Wears Prada "Gird your loins!"

Andy (Anne Hathaway) watches as the Runway Magazine office turns upside down when it is announced that Miranda (Meryl Streep) is on her way.

to turn something upside down	-	to change in a complete way, often in a way that is shocking or upsetting
to be on one’s way	-	to be about to arrive or happen
to text message	-	to transmit a text message (SMS)
a facialist	-	a beautician who specializes in beauty treatment for the face, usually consisting of massages and the application of cosmetics
to rupture a disk	-	to tear or split the cartilage between the bones in your back
Gird your loins! (often humorous)	-	This expression comes from an older, archaic English and means to prepare for a difficult or dangerous activity. The idea is of bringing out your inner strength and fortitude. To gird meant to prepare for action and was the image of placing a flexible belt around your waist, such as one that had a sword. Your loins are your lower abdominal regions about the hips, particularly where your reproductive organs are.
a bagel	-	a type of bread that is small and round with a hole in the middle. See link!
a tale	-	a spoken account of someone’s experiences, especially when they are made to seem more exciting or unpleasant than they really were. E.G. “tales of your incompetence do not interest me” (as spoken in clip)
a layout	-	the way in which the words and pictures on a page are arranged
smiley (adj)	-	smiling, tending to smile a lot
paunchy (adj)	-	with a paunch, i.e. fat around the stomach (usually on a man)
to RSVP	-	to reply to an invitation with a yes or a no (from the French répondez s’il vous plaît)
to drop someone off	-	to take someone to a place in a car
to pick someone up	-	to take someone who is waiting by the road into your vehicle and take them somewhere
sharp (adverb, i.e. “at 7:30 pm sharp”)	-	at exactly a particular time

Video of the Moment : Movie - “Percy Jackson & the Olympians : The Lightning Thief”

to be courted (old-fashioned)	-	When Medusa states that she was courted, she wants to say that men pursued her romantically in the hopes of eventually marrying her.
a suitor (old-fashioned)	-	a man who wants to get married to a particular woman
to curse	-	to use magical powers to make bad things happen to someone
Come on!	-	Used for encouraging someone to do something
to sneak a peek	-	to secretly take a quick look at someone or something

Video of the Moment : Jake Learns from “Avatar”

Jake (Sam Worthington) logs the progress of his education in the language and ways of Pandora.

a rack (slang)	-	This is primarily, though not only,  a military slang term meaning “bed” or “bunk.” So when Jake says that he wants to “get some rack,” he means he wants to “get some sleep.” If it’s time to go to bed you could say, “It’s time to hit the rack.”
a shack	-	a small plain building usually built of wood or metal
to blur	-	If something blurs, it becomes difficult to see clearly and the edges aren’t clear. Many different things can blur such as our eyes or our memories. If our eyes blur, you can say that your vision has become blurry. If you wake up in the morning after having drunk too much alcohol, your memories of the night before might be blurry. In the movie clip Jake states that the days are starting to blur together which means he can no longer distinguish one day from another because they all seem the same.
to be a pain	-	If we say something is a pain, we want to say that it is annoying and we don’t enjoy it. Sometimes we add “in the neck” such as learning English can sometimes be a pain in the neck. Two other common possibilities, though extremely impolite, are to be a pain in the butt or a pain in the ass.
to field strip (military term)	-	to take apart a weapon for cleaning, lubrication and repair or for inspection
a moron	-	an insulting term for someone who behaves in a stupid way. If we want to say that someone’s actions are stupid we would describe those actions as moronic.
to be on board	-	This expression means to be involved in a project or organization, or working for a company. When Jake says that Norm is back on board, he is saying that he has rejoined the group.

Video of the Moment : Obama Ecstasy Pills !?

Video of the Moment : John Adams, Making Of (HBO)

As a follow-up to yesterday’s post commemorating the birthday of America’s 2nd First Lady, Abigail Adams, I am posting a 20 minute video on the making of the 2008 HBO television mini-series John Adams. I cannot praise enough this historically accurate television series.

Video of the Moment : Everglades National Park

Cartoon : Having a Field Day

Cartoon by Jimmy Margulies of The Record (New Jersey) published on 3 October 2009.

Background info : This cartoon concerns the story of David Letterman, a television host and comedian on a late night television talk show. Mr. Letterman was recently forced, due to an extortion attempt (see yesterday’s post for definition), to admit publically on his television show that he had sexual relations with some of his female employees. During the Clinton presidency, Letterman was known to make jokes about the former president’s sexual affaires. Now, it appears that the shoe is on the other foot.

To have a field day - A time of great pleasure, activity, or opportunity, as in The press had a field day with this sensational murder trial. This colloquial expression, dating from the 1700s, originally referred to a day set aside for military maneuvers and exercises, and later was extended to a similar day for sports and games. Since the early 1800s it has been used more loosely. (Answers.com)

To learn more: http://www.newsy.com/videos/late_show_s_special_episode (transcript of video can be found at this link)

Interesting Words: E-waste

Taken from http://www.macmillandictionaryblog.com/words-in-the-news-e-waste/

E-waste – language and words in the news

by Kati Sule on September 28, 2009

E-waste is the new BuzzWord this week on Macmillan Online Dictionary.

The term e-waste, an abbreviation for electronic waste, and sometimes also referred to as e-scrap, describes used electronic devices such as mobile phones, computers, televisions, etc., that have been discarded. According to estimates by the UN, the world produces up to 50 million tonnes of e-waste per year.

For more information about e-waste and electronic waste recycling see the links below.

EDay in New Zealand
“New Zealand-wide, more than 1000 tonnes of electronic waste is expected to be diverted from landfills on eDay. The e-waste’s ultimate destination is South Korea, where valuable components are given a second life and remaining materials are responsibly disposed of.

Short video on e-waste in India (7:50 minutes)
“Every year, hundreds of thousands of old computers and mobile phones are dumped in landfills or burned in smelters. Thousands more are exported, often illegally, from Europe, US, Japan and other industrialised countries, to Asia. There, workers at scrap yards, some of whom are children, are exposed to a cocktail of toxic chemicals and poisons.”

The world is consuming more and more electronic products every year. This has caused a dangerous explosion in electronic scrap (e-waste) containing toxic chemicals and heavy metals that cannot be disposed of or recycled safely. But this problem can be avoided. We are pressing leading electronic companies to change; to turn back the toxic tide of e-waste. Every year, hundreds of thousands of old computers and mobile phones are dumped in landfills or burned in smelters. Thousands more are exported, often illegally, from the Europe, US, Japan and other industrialised countries, to Asia. There, workers at scrap yards, some of whom are children, are exposed to a cocktail of toxic chemicals and poisons.

In the News : British Legal History Being Made

Traditionally, the House of Lords was the highest court in the United Kingdom. As of today, a new judicial institution takes over that role; the UK now has a Supreme Court! To learn more about the new UK Supreme Court, go to Sky News at :

 http://news.sky.com/skynews/Home/UK-News/British-Legal-History-Made-As-Supreme-Court-Opens/Article/200909415396373?lpos=UK_News_Carousel_Region_2&lid=ARTICLE_15396373_British_Legal_History_Made_As_Supreme_Court_Opens_

Here’s a video as well :

To learn more, go to : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/UK_Supreme_Court

Video of the Moment : Jimmy Carter Makes His Voice Heard (Newsy)

As a follow-up to the story in yesterday’s “Vocabulary In the News” talking about former President Jimmy Carter’s controversial remarks, here’s a video from Newsy. Use the transcript to work on your vocabulary acquisition at :

http://www.newsy.com/videos/jimmy_carter_makes_his_voice_heard

Culture Spot : On This Day – 17 September

There are two important events in American history that took place on this day.

On this day in 1787, the US Constitution was signed and adopted by the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia after a long, hot summer of intense negotiations among the various state representatives. On March 4, 1789 the government under the new Constitution began operations. September 17 is an American federal observance known as Constitution Day. The holiday was created in 2004 and mandated that all publically funded educational institutions provide educational programming on the history of the US Constitution.

The Articles of Confederation and Perpetual Union (America’s first constitution) which had been drafted in 1777 and finally ratified in 1781 was the governing document since Independence but unfortunately, it was a very inefficient document. Under this document, Congress (there was only a legislative body and no president!) was powerless to enforce its decisions and was denied the power of taxation leaving the government and military short of funds. It also left Congress in a weakened position when it came to foreign policy and had no means to regulate commerce. Also, due to its inability to tax, Congress could not pay the debts it owed to countries like France and the Netherlands for their assistance in our struggle for independence from Britain.

In 1786, state representatives convened in Philadelphia to discuss changes to the Articles. However after much discussion and debate, it became clear that an entirely new constitution was need creating a federal system of government. Many states were completely against this idea fearing the loss of state sovereignty. After much debate, a document unlike any other governing document in the world had been born. A document guaranteeing a balance of power between state sovereignty and a central federal government. The wisdom of those delegates has left an enduring document and today the US Constitution is the shortest and oldest written constitution in the world, a document very much cherished by Americans.

In school, children memorize the preamble to the US Constitution which is the following:

“We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, ensure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.”

Here’s a funny video from the American sitcom, The Andy Griffith Show, where Deputy Barney Fife tries to recite the Preamble to the Constitution from memory! 

For those of you brave enough to read a good history book on how the US Constitution came into being, I very highly recommend the book The Summer of 1787: The Men Who Invented the Constitution by David O. Stewart (ISBN 978-0743286930)

This has become one of my favorite books in my library!!

---

Also on this day in 1814, Francis Scott Key finished his poem “The Defence of Fort McHenry” which would become the words for the United States national anthem “The Star-Spangled Banner.”

The poem was written towards the end of the War of 1812 against the British. Key, along with American Colonel John Stuart Skinner, were guests aboard a British ship to discuss a prisoner exchange. However, the British were about to attack Baltimore and could not let Key and Skinner leave the ship before the attack since they knew the strength and position of the British ships. They could do nothing but helplessly witness the bombardment of Fort McHenry. In the morning, Key went out on deck to see if the fort had successfully resisted the attack. Through the smoke he saw that the American flag still waved over the fort! The Americans held!

This vision inspired Key to write a poem and he intended for the words to fit to the rhythm of John Stafford Smith’s song “To Anacreaon In Heaven,” a song from a gentlemen’s club! The melody with Key’s poem added became known as “The Star-Spangled Banner” and was widely popular throughout the United States. However, the song did not become the official anthem of the US until 1931 with a Congressional resolution signed by President Hoover. Before 1931, the United States never had an official anthem!

The flag that inspired Key can still be seen in the Smithsonian in Washington, D.C.

“The Defence of Fort McHenry” (The Star-Spangled Banner)

by Francis Scott Key

O! say can you see by the dawn's early light
What so proudly we hailed at the twilight's last gleaming?
Whose broad stripes and bright stars through the perilous fight,
O'er the ramparts we watched were so gallantly streaming?
And the rockets' red glare, the bombs bursting in air,
Gave proof through the night that our flag was still there.
O! say does that star-spangled banner yet wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave?

On the shore, dimly seen through the mists of the deep,
Where the foe's haughty host in dread silence reposes,
What is that which the breeze, o'er the towering steep,
As it fitfully blows, half conceals, half discloses?
Now it catches the gleam of the morning's first beam,
In full glory reflected now shines in the stream:
'Tis the star-spangled banner! Oh long may it wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave.

And where is that band who so vauntingly swore
That the havoc of war and the battle's confusion,
A home and a country should leave us no more!
Their blood has washed out their foul footsteps' pollution.
No refuge could save the hireling and slave
From the terror of flight, or the gloom of the grave:
And the star-spangled banner in triumph doth wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave.

O! thus be it ever, when freemen shall stand
Between their loved home and the war's desolation!
Blest with victory and peace, may the heav'n rescued land
Praise the Power that hath made and preserved us a nation.
Then conquer we must, when our cause it is just,
And this be our motto: 'In God is our trust.'
And the star-spangled banner in triumph shall wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave!

American Cuisine : Make a Peach Cobbler (Video)

It’s the end of the summer season and probably the peach season as well but I found this nice, easily understandable video explaining how to make an American summer favorite : peach cobbler!! You’ll have to convert the measurements to metric and the temperature from Fahrenheit to Celsius.

Video of the Moment : The Country Remembers 9/11

To access the transcript of this video, go to : http://www.newsy.com/videos/the_country_remembers_9_11