Newsfeed Business English

doldrums

Fri, 30 Dec 2011 00:00:00 GMT+0100

doldrumsThe doldrums originally stems from a maritime word used to describe an area of the ocean near the equator which is calm and has little to no wind. more...

Gross National Happiness

Fri, 30 Dec 2011 00:00:00 GMT+0100

Gross National HappinessSome years ago, in a kingdom far away, a brave dragon king announced to his countrymen that he was more interested in gross national happiness than gross national product. The stuff of fairy tales, perhaps? more...

Sex Sells. Or Does It?

Fri, 16 Dec 2011 00:00:00 GMT+0100

Sex Sells. Or Does It?The use of sex, sexual innuendo and double entendres have long been used by the advertising industry to attract attention and get people talking about their products. But how effective is this strategy really? more...

foundation

Fri, 16 Dec 2011 00:00:00 GMT+0100

foundationA house or building is built on a foundation, which provides a strong, sturdy structure for the building. more...

21st Century Expo

Fri, 02 Dec 2011 00:00:00 GMT+0100

21st Century ExpoAs long as they have existed, trade fairs have always played a central role in trade and industry. Over the course of time, however, their function has changed and their importance has increased. What does a trade fair have to offer you? more...

boom

Fri, 02 Dec 2011 00:00:00 GMT+0100

boomBoom is onomatopoeic. When the word is spoken outloud, it sounds like what it means. A booming sound is loud, deep, and resonant, something that can be heard at a great distance. more...

identity

Fri, 18 Nov 2011 00:00:00 GMT+0100

identityIdentity is the unique characteristics of a person or thing that make it recognizable as itself. At the same time, identity can refer to the way one sees oneself. more...

The Nym Wars

Fri, 18 Nov 2011 00:00:00 GMT+0100

The Nym WarsWhen you're online, who are you? The debate about the use of real names versus pseudonyms may seem trivial now, but if the experts are right, the decision might just shape the future of the internet. more...

post

Fri, 04 Nov 2011 00:00:00 GMT+0100

postIf you want to send letters or parcels by post, you post them. more...

Press 1 to Speak to an Agent

Fri, 04 Nov 2011 00:00:00 GMT+0100

Press 1 to Speak to an AgentUntil recently, customers could call a customer service department and speak with a live operator, receiving 'full-service' support. Now, however, companies are embracing self-service automated support as a means of saving money. more...

Unexpected Indicators

Fri, 21 Oct 2011 00:00:00 GMT+0100

Unexpected IndicatorsHow do we measure the state of our economy? Some waste collectors see lagging economic indicators at the dump. But is less trash really good for the environment, or for the economy? more...

lobby

Fri, 21 Oct 2011 00:00:00 GMT+0100

lobbyIf you lobby someone, then you try to persuade them (usually a politician, the government or an official group) that a thing should or should not happen. more...

The Wine Challenge

Fri, 14 Oct 2011 00:00:00 GMT+0100

The Wine ChallengeWine has been a very much European product for centuries, but this is now being challenged by California and several southern hemisphere countries including Australia, Argentina, Chile, New Zealand, South Africa and Uruguay. more...

appreciate

Fri, 14 Oct 2011 00:00:00 GMT+0100

appreciateThe verb appreciate means to recognize the value or the importance of something or someone. more...

The iPhenomenon!

Fri, 07 Oct 2011 00:00:00 GMT+0100

The iPhenomenon!The late Steven P. Jobs, technology leader, co-founder of Apple and visionary, oversaw the development of multiple revolutionary digital devices, transforming not only product categories but whole industries. more...

stake

Fri, 07 Oct 2011 00:00:00 GMT+0100

stakeA stake is a share or financial involvement in a company. more...

retainer

Fri, 30 Sep 2011 00:00:00 GMT+0100

retainerThe verb to retain means to keep something in one's possession or to maintain a condition. more...

Playing Hardball

Fri, 30 Sep 2011 00:00:00 GMT+0100

Playing HardballFor those inexperienced in American business, the language of finance can appear dry and straightforward. Despite this common belief, even a native English speaker can be lost in the world of high finance slang. more...

Cherry Garcia or Milli Vanilla?

Fri, 23 Sep 2011 00:00:00 GMT+0100

Cherry Garcia or Milli Vanilla?In 1988, President Reagan named the famous ice cream-making duo, Ben Cohen and Jerry Springfield, the 'US Business Persons of the Year.' The ex-hippies have created a socially-conscious enterprise focused on creating 'caring dairy.' more...

spin-off

Fri, 23 Sep 2011 00:00:00 GMT+0100

spin-offA spin-off is something that is developed or derived from a pre-existing product, program or establishment. A spin-off is also the distribution of assets by a business to its stockholders. more...

jocular

Mon, 19 Sep 2011 00:00:00 GMT+0100

jocularThe adjective jocular refers to something that is funny or causes amusement. Jocular also describes a person who enjoys making jokes and is habitually jolly. more...

Don't Worry! It's Just a Test

Fri, 16 Sep 2011 00:00:00 GMT+0100

Don't Worry! It's Just a TestLanding that dream job has never been easy. And with the current state of the job market, hopeful candidates should not expect anything less than a vigorous selection process. more...

wrangle

Mon, 12 Sep 2011 00:00:00 GMT+0100

wrangleA wrangle is a long and complicated argument. more...

Snap, Crackle and Pop!

Fri, 09 Sep 2011 00:00:00 GMT+0100

Snap, Crackle and Pop!There are five races of corn -- flint, pod, sweet, dent and pop. The first four are all vital to the world's food supply. The fifth race, popcorn, was destined to become a singularly popular snack item. more...

burn rate

Mon, 05 Sep 2011 00:00:00 GMT+0100

burn rateToday many new companies are in business, but have never made a profit. In order for a company to stay in business until they start to earn a profit, a company must borrow from investors. more...

Bagel-Related Injury (BRI)

Fri, 02 Sep 2011 00:00:00 GMT+0100

Bagel-Related Injury (BRI)The US market for packaged bagels is nearly $700 million annually. Whether fresh or frozen, Americans enjoy the chewy, round bread with the hole in the middle as a breakfast food, or snack. But the bagel isn't just delectable; it's dangerous. more...

refine

Mon, 29 Aug 2011 00:00:00 GMT+0100

refineTo refine something is to remove all impurities from a substance, or to make something more polished or elegant. more...

Not Another Meeting!

Fri, 26 Aug 2011 00:00:00 GMT+0100

Not Another Meeting!As the volume of team-based work continues to rise, so too does the number of meetings. Unfortunately, however, not all of these work-related gatherings may be described as a meeting of minds. more...

exhort

Mon, 22 Aug 2011 00:00:00 GMT+0100

exhortIf you exhort somebody to do something, you provoke them by words or advice. It also means to urge strongly or to advise, warn or caution. more...

Revenue in Beauty

Fri, 19 Aug 2011 00:00:00 GMT+0100

Revenue in BeautyInternational visitors to New Zealand have increased rapidly and consistently over the last three decades. With nice weather nearly all year round, maybe it's time to consider booking that flight now. more...

impasse

Mon, 15 Aug 2011 00:00:00 GMT+0100

impasseThe term impasse refers to a person or moving object which comes to a point, situation, or predicament in which there is deadlock. This means that there is no escape or way to continue unless change or alteration is made. more...

Spicy Business

Fri, 12 Aug 2011 00:00:00 GMT+0100

Spicy BusinessWhat became of one man's experiment with fermented pepper mash, salt and vinegar in an old cologne bottle? TABASCO sauce and a 140-year legacy. more...

put one's nose to the grindstone

Mon, 08 Aug 2011 00:00:00 GMT+0100

put one's nose to the grindstoneTo put one's nose to the grindstone is defined as the act of working, studying, or practicing hard or commanding someone else to do so. more...

Viva Las Vegas!

Fri, 05 Aug 2011 00:00:00 GMT+0100

Viva Las Vegas!With 36.7 million visitors a year, Las Vegas really knows how to pull 'em in. From elopers to pundits and weekend adventure-seekers, it's got something to make even the strongest of us weak. more...

parsimonious

Mon, 01 Aug 2011 00:00:00 GMT+0100

parsimoniousWhen people are excessively frugal and unwilling to spend money, they're parsimonious. In other words, they are stingy. more...

Target? No, 'Tarzhay'

Fri, 29 Jul 2011 00:00:00 GMT+0100

Target? No, 'Tarzhay'Once compared with the likes of Ralph Lauren, in 2000, well-known Orange County designer Mossimo Giannulli found himself on the verge of bankruptcy. All at once, Target executives envisioned haute-couture for cheap. more...

goods

Mon, 25 Jul 2011 00:00:00 GMT+0100

goodsDid you know that the adjective good can be made into a noun? Yes, it can! Simply add an -s and use it with an article to refer to items that are for sale or items that you own. more...

Planning for the Golden Years

Fri, 22 Jul 2011 00:00:00 GMT+0100

Planning for the Golden YearsThe average twenty-five-year-old should not think that retirement is something for old fogies. Retirement is, at a minimum, a 30-year plan. more...

issue

Mon, 18 Jul 2011 00:00:00 GMT+0100

issueAn issue is a subject or problem. more...

A Gangster of New York

Fri, 15 Jul 2011 00:00:00 GMT+0100

A Gangster of New YorkBorn in New York City in 1823, William Tweed, a.k.a. Boss Tweed, began his career as a carpenter, but took a hankering to politics -- and corruption. Once one of the most powerful men at Tammany Hall, his career ended on the cellblock. more...

hankering

Tue, 12 Jul 2011 00:00:00 GMT+0100

hankeringThere are two expressions which use the word hankering: to take a hankering to something, or to have a hankering for something. more...

The Brown Bag ... Breakfast?

Fri, 08 Jul 2011 00:00:00 GMT+0100

The Brown Bag ... Breakfast?The Child Nutrition Act of 1966 secured federally subsidized funds to aid the nation's impoverished youth. The money provides school lunches nationwide, yet 13.9 million children remain inadequately fed. more...

career ladder

Tue, 05 Jul 2011 00:00:00 GMT+0100

career ladderWhen an employee progresses from one position to the next, with increasing responsibility and importance, he or she is said to be climbing the career ladder. Promotions are likely to happen with a frequency equal to the space between rungs on a ladder. more...

No Way Vacay!

Fri, 01 Jul 2011 00:00:00 GMT+0100

No Way Vacay!Summer is here and many employees are looking forward to waving goodbye to their boss for a couple of weeks. But recent polls in the US show that a decreasing number of Americans are actually doing this. more...

insolvency

Mon, 27 Jun 2011 00:00:00 GMT+0100

insolvencyInsolvency is defined as the lack of financial resources. When a company undergoes insolvency, it no longer has the capability to meet its debt obligations. more...

The Big Three

Fri, 24 Jun 2011 00:00:00 GMT+0100

The Big ThreeA credit rating agency (CRA) determines a company or government's ability to pay back a loan. Recently, the Big Three CRAs -- Moody's, Standard & Poor's and Fitch -- have come under scrutiny. more...

Over A Drink

Wed, 22 Jun 2011 00:00:00 GMT+0100

Over A DrinkIn general, Britons like to keep work talk at work. Unless you are explicitly at a business lunch or dinner, Britons try to avoid talking about work at the dinner table. This unwritten rule also applies to pubs and bars. more...

bellwether

Mon, 20 Jun 2011 00:00:00 GMT+0100

bellwetherA bellwether is the leading sheep of a flock; best identified by the bell around its neck. more...

Hacking for Europe

Fri, 17 Jun 2011 00:00:00 GMT+0100

Hacking for EuropeHackers: savvy high-tech developers who have gone over to the dark side. Yet, recent events across Europe are challenging our notion of these villains – or at least, those hackers with a penchant for all things cultural. more...

slug

Tue, 14 Jun 2011 00:00:00 GMT+0100

slugA slug is a small, slimey creature much like a snail without a shell. more...

Just Visiting? Pay This Tax, Please!

Fri, 10 Jun 2011 00:00:00 GMT+0100

Just Visiting? Pay This Tax, Please!Many cities, short on cash, are inventing new ways to replenish funds by taxing out-of-towners. But is raising the ever-popular bed tax worth it, when the guests won't come back? more...

Sports Talk: From the Ballpark

Wed, 08 Jun 2011 00:00:00 GMT+0100

Sports Talk: From the BallparkSome people think American business talk is like its own foreign language. In fact, a lot of business lingo comes from American sports, just like these! more...

to play hardball

Mon, 06 Jun 2011 00:00:00 GMT+0100

to play hardballThe definition of the term to play hardball refers to the American sport of baseball. more...

Generation Dumb? Or Not?

Fri, 03 Jun 2011 00:00:00 GMT+0100

Generation Dumb? Or Not?Author Mark Bauerlein has caused quite a stir with his book, The Dumbest Generation, which discusses the effects of technology on a generation of 'digital natives.' Is technology really dumbing down youth? more...

Hiring a Car

Wed, 01 Jun 2011 00:00:00 GMT+0100

Hiring a CarOscar Wilde once said 'England and America are two countries separated by the same language.' Ah, yes! Americans say 'cookies' and Britons say 'biscuits.' But what about when you're on the road? more...

goodwill

Mon, 30 May 2011 00:00:00 GMT+0100

goodwillThe noun goodwill refers to benevolent interest, as well as friendly and helpful feelings. more...

Democracy in the Workplace

Fri, 27 May 2011 00:00:00 GMT+0100

Democracy in the WorkplaceIn most companies, the responsibility for important business decisions is carried by a few individuals in top management positions. But one British company has succeeded in breaking out of the mould. more...

Approximately!

Wed, 25 May 2011 00:00:00 GMT+0100

Approximately!While it's important to get the numbers right in business, sometimes it's easier for your listener to retain approximations. more...

bottom out

Mon, 23 May 2011 00:00:00 GMT+0100

bottom outThe 'bottom' is the lowest part of something. A bottom on a person is the part of the body that one sits on. more...

The Men's Underwear Economic Index

Fri, 20 May 2011 00:00:00 GMT+0100

The Men's Underwear Economic IndexYou've heard it before: the shorter the season's hemlines are, the better the economy. But according to none other than Alan Greenspan, men's underwear is an economic indicator as well. more...

On a Business Trip

Wed, 18 May 2011 00:00:00 GMT+0100

On a Business TripBritons and Americans sometimes use different words for the same things. Did you know, for example, that what Americans call a 'cafeteria' Britons call a 'canteen'? Interesting, isn't it? more...

bid

Mon, 16 May 2011 00:00:00 GMT+0100

bidTo bid for an item means to offer a particular amount of money to buy it. more...

The Battle for 11 Wall Street

Fri, 13 May 2011 00:00:00 GMT+0100

The Battle for 11 Wall StreetAmerica's biggest companies pay half a million dollars each year just to list their shares on the New York Stock Exchange. With that comes the glory of seeing one of their executives ringing the opening bell. more...

Which Floor?

Wed, 11 May 2011 00:00:00 GMT+0100

Which Floor?Sometimes there's some confusion between Britons and Americans about which floor they work on. more...

refined

Mon, 09 May 2011 00:00:00 GMT+0100

refinedSomething that is refined is pure, or free from unwanted substances or additives. more...

May 6, 1935

Fri, 06 May 2011 00:00:00 GMT+0100

May 6, 1935On this day in 1935, Franklin Delano Roosevelt's created the Works Progress Administration, which became the largest agency of FDR's New Deal legislative program to fuel economic recovery during the Great Depression. more...

The Other Drug

Fri, 06 May 2011 00:00:00 GMT+0100

The Other DrugSugar has had many critics over the years, but none has received so much attention as Robert H. Lustig, MD, UCSF Professor of Pediatrics in the Division of Endocrinology. Dr. Lustig argues that sugar is toxic – in all doses. more...

compromise

Mon, 02 May 2011 00:00:00 GMT+0100

compromiseThe verb to compromise means to come to mutual agreement about something. Quite often, it involves some sort of sacrifice for one or both parties involved. more...

Will Work in Space

Fri, 29 Apr 2011 00:00:00 GMT+0100

Will Work in SpaceIn June, NASA will send the shuttle Atlantis into space for its final mission. With no new manned space projects in the works, there's now a glut of qualified astronauts on the market. more...

The Business Meal

Wed, 27 Apr 2011 00:00:00 GMT+0100

The Business MealIt's perfectly common for business to be conducted over breakfast, lunch or dinner. In the United States there are some key things to pay attention to when dining out. more...

calling

Tue, 26 Apr 2011 00:00:00 GMT+0100

callingThe word calling describes a strong desire to do a certain job -- one that is usually socially valuable. more...

Virtually Spiritual

Thu, 21 Apr 2011 00:00:00 GMT+0100

Virtually SpiritualIn a world consumed with social networking media, no organization can afford to rest on its laurels nowadays -- not even the spiritual ones. more...

Yes, Sir! No, Sir!

Wed, 20 Apr 2011 00:00:00 GMT+0100

Yes, Sir! No, Sir!How do you address someone whose name you don't know? more...

jockey

Mon, 18 Apr 2011 00:00:00 GMT+0100

jockeyThe noun jockey refers to the person who rides a horse in a horse race. more...

A Day at the Races

Fri, 15 Apr 2011 00:00:00 GMT+0100

A Day at the RacesThere are those who enjoy a little flutter on the horses on race day, and then there are those who take their hobby to the next level and buy the actual horse -- or at least, a tiny piece of it. more...

Sports Talk: Fielding

Wed, 13 Apr 2011 00:00:00 GMT+0100

Sports Talk: FieldingSome people think American business talk is its own foreign language. In fact, a lot of business lingo comes from American sports, just like these! more...

reception

Mon, 11 Apr 2011 00:00:00 GMT+0100

receptionA reception desk is the place in a hotel or office building where people go when they first arrive. more...

A Night to Remember

Fri, 08 Apr 2011 00:00:00 GMT+0100

A Night to RememberFor travelers with a loose budget, the world is getting a little more interesting. More of the well-heeled will be able to spend their nights in one of the growing number of luxury hotels that fall into the category known as 'boutique.' more...

Job Titles

Wed, 06 Apr 2011 00:00:00 GMT+0100

Job TitlesDeciding whether to capitalize job titles is not always easy. Here are some rules you can follow: more...

store

Mon, 04 Apr 2011 00:00:00 GMT+0100

storeIf you store something you put it away for the future, or keep it in a safe place and in good condition. more...

The Albrecht Discount

Fri, 01 Apr 2011 00:00:00 GMT+0100

The Albrecht DiscountThe Albrecht Discount -- Aldi -- is not new to America, but recently it's been upping its game. In fact, it's been making such strides in the food retailing business that it's piping home-grown giants like Wal-Mart and others to the post. more...

American Business Meetings

Wed, 30 Mar 2011 00:00:00 GMT+0100

American Business MeetingsOnce the business meeting has been scheduled, it is expected that it begin on time. Business cards are exchanged and then it's right down to business. more...

sound decision

Mon, 28 Mar 2011 00:00:00 GMT+0100

sound decisionIf something is sound it is in good condition. more...

App, App, Amazon!

Fri, 25 Mar 2011 00:00:00 GMT+0100

App, App, Amazon!Amazon is creating waves -- and not in its Outdoor and Recreation section either. The online behemoth has just launched its own app store, which will sell Android apps. This move essentially cuts Google out of the picture. more...

Meeting and Greeting

Wed, 23 Mar 2011 00:00:00 GMT+0100

Meeting and GreetingDespite their reputation for adhering to traditions, Britons usually only shake hands on meeting someone for the first time. Subsequent greetings are usually just verbal. more...

underemployment

Mon, 21 Mar 2011 00:00:00 GMT+0100

underemploymentUnderemployed means to be insufficiently employed. In other words, if a person is only working part-time when he or she needs or wishes to be employed full-time, then the person is underemployed. more...

The Cover Letter

Fri, 18 Mar 2011 00:00:00 GMT+0100

The Cover LetterAfter hours or even days of work, you finally have the perfect CV. And you've found the perfect position to apply for. Now you need the perfect cover letter. This can make the difference between getting an interview and being ignored. more...

Straight, But not Impolite

Wed, 16 Mar 2011 00:00:00 GMT+0100

Straight, But not ImpoliteBusiness discussions in Britain are straight and to the point. The goal is not to follow an agenda religiously, but to quickly and efficiently make decisions and come to an agreement on the topic at hand. more...

discount

Mon, 14 Mar 2011 00:00:00 GMT+0100

discountA discount is a reduction in the usual price of something. more...

The Daily Deal Site

Fri, 11 Mar 2011 00:00:00 GMT+0100

The Daily Deal SiteIn 2008, Groupon offered its first discount for a Chicagan pizza parlor. Of 400 subscribers, 20 customers showed up for a cheap slice. With over 3,000 employees and 60 million subscribers, Groupon is on the fast-track to success. more...

Leaving a Voicemail

Wed, 09 Mar 2011 00:00:00 GMT+0100

Leaving a VoicemailIn the United States it is common for nearly one fourth of all calls made to business contacts to go straight to voicemail. Here are some tips that will help you increase your chances of receiving a return call. more...

net

Mon, 07 Mar 2011 00:00:00 GMT+0100

netA net is something made of string, rope or metal links to catch something. more...

Net 60

Fri, 04 Mar 2011 00:00:00 GMT+0100

Net 60Small businesses provide many indispensible services to larger businesses. Lately, however, bigger businesses just aren't paying their bills. New extended payment policies allow businesses to pay as late as 60 to 120 days. more...

Principle or Principal?

Wed, 02 Mar 2011 00:00:00 GMT+0100

Principle or Principal?Not sure what the difference is between a principle and a principal? Well, read on -- you might be surprised! more...

bash

Mon, 28 Feb 2011 00:00:00 GMT+0100

bashThe verb 'to bash' means 'to hit hard' or 'to criticize.' more...

Royal Wedding -- Ka-ching! Ka-ching!

Fri, 25 Feb 2011 00:00:00 GMT+0100

Royal Wedding -- Ka-ching! Ka-ching!In only a matter of weeks, commoner Kate Middleton will walk down the aisle of Westminster Abbey and wed her Prince -- literally! Many Britons are hoping that her happy-end will end happily for them too – especially in their pockets! more...

Short Selling

Wed, 23 Feb 2011 00:00:00 GMT+0100

Short SellingShort Selling is a method of trading that has recently made headlines, but what exactly is it? more...

bling

Mon, 21 Feb 2011 00:00:00 GMT+0100

blingThe word 'bling' has been popularized by the emerging hip-hop culture beginning in the late 1980's and early 1990's. more...

Driving in Luxury

Fri, 18 Feb 2011 00:00:00 GMT+0100

Driving in LuxuryWhat's the difference between a ghost and a phantom? If you're in the market for an ultra-luxurious car, then quite a lot. Rolls-Royce's latest addition to its line is wafting through the market and leaving ripples in its wake. more...

Was That AD or BC?

Wed, 16 Feb 2011 00:00:00 GMT+0100

Was That AD or BC?In the politically correct world, times have changed -- literally. more...