Do you have a lot on your plate right now?
No - I'm not talking about food but work, life and things to do.
Probably at this time you do.
Imagine you have a young family, problems at work, some money worries and Christmas around the corner - you'd have a lot on your plate.
Well, thinking about Christmas, Polish friends often ask me what a traditional British Christmas dinner involves. They'll be more blogs to cover this but one important ingredient is Yorkshire Pudding. I always find this hard to explain so here's a short film that shows what they look like and how to cook them. Yum yum!
Saturday, November 27, 2010
Wednesday, November 24, 2010
Birds of a feather flock together
A proverb here and a chance to improve your bird vocabulary!
The fluffy bits on a bird that help it to fly are feathers. The phrase 'of a feather' means of the same type.
Flock is a collective noun for birds although it can also be for sheep!
So as a verb, it means to stay together. Therefore, the whole idiom means that people of a similar type stay together - simple!
Two video clips today - first, Birds of a Feather - a popular TV comedy from the eighties. Quite strong London accents in this. Then just for fun, a group with the unlikely name of A Flock of Seagulls - 80's electropop, check out the hair styles!
The fluffy bits on a bird that help it to fly are feathers. The phrase 'of a feather' means of the same type.
Flock is a collective noun for birds although it can also be for sheep!
So as a verb, it means to stay together. Therefore, the whole idiom means that people of a similar type stay together - simple!
Two video clips today - first, Birds of a Feather - a popular TV comedy from the eighties. Quite strong London accents in this. Then just for fun, a group with the unlikely name of A Flock of Seagulls - 80's electropop, check out the hair styles!
Sunday, November 21, 2010
It ain't over 'til the fat lady sings
Not the best English but that's how it's spoken.
Ain't - a very common abbreviation of is not.
But what does this mean?
It means something is not over until the very end.
It's a quote of a theatre and film performer from the 1900's called Groucho Marx and refers to the custom of Wagner operas ending with a big finale from a large lady.
Here's Groucho in action - you'll need to listen carefully - he speaks quickly and his jokes are sharper than a carving knife. Usually, he's trying to con money out of people.
Ain't - a very common abbreviation of is not.
But what does this mean?
It means something is not over until the very end.
It's a quote of a theatre and film performer from the 1900's called Groucho Marx and refers to the custom of Wagner operas ending with a big finale from a large lady.
Here's Groucho in action - you'll need to listen carefully - he speaks quickly and his jokes are sharper than a carving knife. Usually, he's trying to con money out of people.
Sunday, November 14, 2010
The grass is always greener
One of the classic idioms/proverbs.
The grass is always greener on the other side of the fence.
Things always look more attractive somewhere else.
One place where the grass really is greener is Ireland and here's a beautiful film to prove it!
The grass is always greener on the other side of the fence.
Things always look more attractive somewhere else.
One place where the grass really is greener is Ireland and here's a beautiful film to prove it!
Friday, November 12, 2010
Chick flick
Have you seen any good chick flicks lately?
Probably, for most guys, the thought of it is quite scary.
Here's how it works. Chick (a baby chicken) is a term that used to be used to refer to women, particularly in the hippy 60's.
If you were going to the flicks, you'd be going to watch a movie. The word flick comes from flicker when light flashes very quickly. This is because that's how the movies looked in the early silent movie days.
So what's a chick flick? One that appeals more to women but you may drag your reluctant husband or boyfriend along - he's just hoping he won't be spotted by his mates!
You can also have chick lit. which is literature aimed at women - Sophie Kinsella, for example.
OK, back to chick flicks - nothing defines the genre more clearly than this. Guys - look away now - yuk!!
Probably, for most guys, the thought of it is quite scary.
Here's how it works. Chick (a baby chicken) is a term that used to be used to refer to women, particularly in the hippy 60's.
If you were going to the flicks, you'd be going to watch a movie. The word flick comes from flicker when light flashes very quickly. This is because that's how the movies looked in the early silent movie days.
So what's a chick flick? One that appeals more to women but you may drag your reluctant husband or boyfriend along - he's just hoping he won't be spotted by his mates!
You can also have chick lit. which is literature aimed at women - Sophie Kinsella, for example.
OK, back to chick flicks - nothing defines the genre more clearly than this. Guys - look away now - yuk!!
Monday, November 8, 2010
Blue arsed fly
Have you been busy lately?
Very busy? Oh, that busy.
You could a busy bee, meaning that you are industrious but if you've been extra busy lately, we'd say you've been rushing around like a blue arsed fly!
Don't ask why. Here's an interesting film about the London Underground - people certainly rush around like blue arsed flies there!
Very busy? Oh, that busy.
You could a busy bee, meaning that you are industrious but if you've been extra busy lately, we'd say you've been rushing around like a blue arsed fly!
Don't ask why. Here's an interesting film about the London Underground - people certainly rush around like blue arsed flies there!
Sunday, November 7, 2010
Happy as Larry
Who's Larry and why is he so happy?
I really don't know but when you are very happy, we say as happy as Larry!
One of the happiest Larry's I know is Larry Hagman who played the evil JR Ewing in the hit TV series Dallas in 80's.
It was essential viewing at the time and told the story of everyday oil barons - great fun!
Here's a clip.
I really don't know but when you are very happy, we say as happy as Larry!
One of the happiest Larry's I know is Larry Hagman who played the evil JR Ewing in the hit TV series Dallas in 80's.
It was essential viewing at the time and told the story of everyday oil barons - great fun!
Here's a clip.
Thursday, November 4, 2010
The Scottish play
Are you superstitious? Do you worry if you see a black cat or expect seven year’s bad luck if you break a mirror?
If so, you would have to be careful as an actor or actress.
One of the best things you can do as an actor is to act in a Shakespeare play.
There are many classics such as Romeo and Juliet, Hamlet, Othello and The Merchant of Venice.
One of the most famous plays is ‘The Scottish play.’
Of course, that’s not its real name but no actor would dare say its name directly as this would bring extremely bad luck - even death! This is a very strong tradition in theatre and is still followed by all actors because many serious accidents have occurred.
One explanation is that the play involves a lot of sword fighting so is naturally dangerous. Another theory is that there is a scene in which witches cast a spell. It is believed that in his research, Shakespeare met real witches and used a real spell, so that the play is cursed!
If you are not sure which play I am talking about here it is. A very spooky Polanski film version!
If so, you would have to be careful as an actor or actress.
One of the best things you can do as an actor is to act in a Shakespeare play.
There are many classics such as Romeo and Juliet, Hamlet, Othello and The Merchant of Venice.
One of the most famous plays is ‘The Scottish play.’
Of course, that’s not its real name but no actor would dare say its name directly as this would bring extremely bad luck - even death! This is a very strong tradition in theatre and is still followed by all actors because many serious accidents have occurred.
One explanation is that the play involves a lot of sword fighting so is naturally dangerous. Another theory is that there is a scene in which witches cast a spell. It is believed that in his research, Shakespeare met real witches and used a real spell, so that the play is cursed!
If you are not sure which play I am talking about here it is. A very spooky Polanski film version!
Tuesday, November 2, 2010
On the same wavelength
What are you if you are on the same wavelength as somebody else.
Well, you could say you have the same understanding; you see the world in the same way.
This metaphor comes from radio.
We now take for it granted that we can listen to any music we like and choose from many radio stations but it wasn't always like that.
In the UK, the big change, like a lot of others, happened in the 60's with the arrival of Pirate Radio.
Sounds interesting? It is. Here's a short film about the famous Radio Caroline. I think you'll enjoy as we're on the same wavelength.
Well, you could say you have the same understanding; you see the world in the same way.
This metaphor comes from radio.
We now take for it granted that we can listen to any music we like and choose from many radio stations but it wasn't always like that.
In the UK, the big change, like a lot of others, happened in the 60's with the arrival of Pirate Radio.
Sounds interesting? It is. Here's a short film about the famous Radio Caroline. I think you'll enjoy as we're on the same wavelength.
Monday, November 1, 2010
Can't see the wood for the trees
Sometimes you can't see the wood for the trees.
You are maybe too close to a situation and just can't make sense of it.
As a dyslexic I often experience this especially when it comes to working with ornate fonts. Somebody recently sent me something in Times New Roman and it looked like a forest of fast growing thorns.
Here's a great video which shows some of the effects people can have. It's a bit extreme but you get the idea of what it's like when you can't see the wood for the trees.
You are maybe too close to a situation and just can't make sense of it.
As a dyslexic I often experience this especially when it comes to working with ornate fonts. Somebody recently sent me something in Times New Roman and it looked like a forest of fast growing thorns.
Here's a great video which shows some of the effects people can have. It's a bit extreme but you get the idea of what it's like when you can't see the wood for the trees.
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