Newsfeed English

What's Good for Your Health...

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

What's Good for Your Health...Many Americans complain that the holidays have become too commercialized and expensive. Indeed, the meaning of Christmas may have gotten lost, but experts say the spirit of giving promotes healthy relationships. more...

wrap

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

wrapAs you probably have seen at restaurants worldwide, a wrap is a trendy food item. Usually it is a flour tortilla filled with a wide variety of meats, cheeses, sauces and vegetables. It's the American version of the tasty Mexican Burrito. more...

Caught in the Act

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

Caught in the Act'Tis the season to be jolly', goes the song, but for tree farmers, December means constant vigilance. With Christmas just around the corner, no tree is safe from ruthless tree poachers. more...

nursery

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

nurseryTraditionally, a nursery is a baby's bedroom or a playroom for small children. A nursery is also where young plants are raised and sold. more...

A Scottish Jewel

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

A Scottish JewelMost historic cities have both old and new landmarks which attract visitors and locals alike. But only a few cities have a volcano in their backyard, even if it's extinct. Edinburgh is one of them. more...

orientation

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

orientationOrientation is location or position relative to the points of a compass. However, the usage of the word has widened to refer to the concept of direction in general. more...

Language in Motion

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

Language in MotionLike any living language, English is changing. Each year, new words enter the language, others become obsolete. English remains the second most spoken language worldwide. But do we all understand each other? more...

juggernaut

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

juggernautA juggernaut is a massive inexorable force, campaign, movement, or object that crushes whatever is in its path. more...

The Islands

Fri, 28 Oct 2011 00:00:00 GMT+0100

The IslandsTo the west, the vast Atlantic ocean. To the east, France. In the middle, the islands of Britain and Ireland. Or should that be Great Britain and Ireland? Or perhaps England? And what's the deal with the United Kingdom anyway? more...

tower

Fri, 28 Oct 2011 00:00:00 GMT+0100

towerA tower is a tall narrow building, usually square or circular. more...

Occupy Wall Street

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

Occupy Wall StreetAre you a young anarchist? A middle-aged unemployed political conservative? Maybe you're fed up with how banks have handled your money. Or perhaps you're the Minority House Leader? You might be ripe for Occupy Wall Street too. more...

trigger

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

triggerThe word trigger in English has several different meanings. As a verb, to trigger something means to cause it. more...

blaze

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

blazeBlaze is both a noun and a verb. As a noun, it can mean an intensely burning fire, or something dazzlingly bright. more...

Indian Summer

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

Indian SummerIn September and October, when the leaves of many North American trees change color, people travel great distances to drink in the spectacular display of pale yellow, ruby red and glowing orange. more...

compose

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

composeCompose is a verb that means to form, put together or make up by combining. Lisa composed her words carefully before mailing the letter to the lawyer. more...

Urban Coyotes

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

Urban CoyotesCoyotes are one of the most adaptable animals known to man. The wolf-like predators thrive in nearly every rural terrain in North America. Now, they're dominating America's toughest terrain: The city. more...

scamp

Mon, 26 Sep 2011 00:00:00 GMT+0100

scampA scamp is someone that behaves playfully or mischievously. It most often refers to a young person that behaves naughtily. more...

reverberate

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

reverberateThis word comes to English from Latin, and literally means to 'beat back.' This is how the word was originally used. In 1611, a sailor wrote about 'a strong wall to reverberate the furious waves of the sea.' more...

Boston's Trail to Freedom

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

Boston's Trail to FreedomNo matter which season, a walk along the North End's brick sidewalks or across Beacon Hill's cobblestone streets will bring to mind colonial times. The Freedom Trail is a walk into the past, and better than any boring school history lesson. more...

tenacious

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

tenaciousThis is a not only an important word, but an important concept or even philosophy to be successful in anything. A tenacious person is persistent in maintaining or adhering to something valued or habitual. He knows what his goals are and he will stick to them. more...

Take a Walk on the High Line

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

Take a Walk on the High LineYou don't have to be one of New York's high flyers to enjoy the city's latest attraction: The High Line. Attracting 'high walkers,' the city's walkway is quickly turning the Big Apple into the Big Green Apple. more...

brew

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

brewThe verb to brew usually refers to beer and it means 'to make beer.' But it is also used to describe the process involved in making tea or coffee. When boiling water is added to tea or coffee, the mixture brews and develops flavour. more...

Ragweed Season!

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

Ragweed Season!Many allergy sufferers in America breathe a sigh of relief when the cooler, wetter weather of fall arrives. But the most common trigger of fall allergies is a hardy plant called ragweed, and it starts to bloom in mid-August. more...

rut

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

rutA rut is an indicator of a path that is being or was constantly used. It comes from the same word as route. A rut originally referred to the track made by a wheel, but today we use rut to refer to a groove in something. more...

Labor Day

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

Labor DayWhile Europeans celebrate Labor Day on May 1, Americans have chosen the end of summer for the holiday: the first Monday in September. The American holiday has a long tradition, one that predates the European one. more...

acclaim

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

acclaimIf you really like something you give it acclaim. This is similar to applaud or praise, or to shout praise or applause. more...

The Big British Blue

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

The Big British BlueIt may look like a French Roquefort, a Danish Blue, or even an Italian Gorgonzola, but this creamy blue cheese doesn't come from the continent. It's a Blue Stilton and it's 100 percent British! more...

blue

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

bluePerhaps it's no surprise that blue doesn't always refer to the color blue. more...

The University of Oxford

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

The University of OxfordSome 3.5 million tourists make their way to Oxford each year. Many come specifically to grace the halls of the city's renowned and prestigious academic institution: The University of Oxford. more...

tune

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

tuneThe word tune originated as a variant of tone, used for 'sound' or 'tone.' Based on this, it took on the meaning of a series of musical notes, especially one which is pleasant and easy to remember or a melody. more...

Harry Belafonte

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

Harry BelafonteMusician Harry Belafonte has been an inspiration that has had lasting effects on all of us. And thanks to him we have been exposed to an unusual style of music called Calypso which continues to influence other musical styles today. more...

staycation

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

staycationA staycation is a relatively new word which refers to a stay-at-home vacation. The term comes from a combination of the words stay and vacation. more...

Is Summer Vacation Unhealthy?

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

Is Summer Vacation Unhealthy?Once upon a time, people believed that too much time spent in the classroom was unhealthy, and too much learning could impair a child's health. Now, American children get 10 weeks of summer vacation. Is that smart? more...

Ray Charles, Musical Master

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

Ray Charles, Musical MasterRay Charles, the innovative singer and pianist who blended gospel and blues and pioneered soul music, was one of America's finest and most beloved musicians. more...

camp

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

campMost people around the world already know what camping is -- living in a tent somewhere for a short vacation in the wilderness. more...

Family Vacation Can Be Unbearable!

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

Family Vacation Can Be Unbearable!Summer vacation is the opportunity to take an extended trip with your family or friends. But if you're venturing into one of the nation's national parks, taking a few extra precautions may save you from some unwanted visitors. more...

munch

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

munchThe English word munch is an onomatopoeia; that means that it sounds like the action it describes. To munch means to eat something (usually a lot of that thing!) loudly and happily. more...

Cape Cod's Cranberries

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

Cape Cod's CranberriesAn autumn meal wouldn't be complete without a side of ruby red cranberry sauce. But these sour little berries are worth checking out no matter what time of year it is, because they're good for you! more...

Washington, A Human Hero

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

Washington, A Human HeroThe 'founding father' of the American nation, George Washington is generally remembered as the personification of wisdom and courage. But David McCullough's biography of the first President paints a rather different picture. more...

deluded

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

deludedWhen somebody confuses fiction with reality or believes that something very unlikely is true, we say that this person is deluded. For example, politicians are deluded if they think that domestic policy is not important to Americans.

Americans Don't Like Football?

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

Americans Don't Like Football?With the opening whistle kicking off the Women's World Cup this week, many continue to scratch their heads at the presence of one national team: the United States of America. Do they even know the rules? more...

benevolent

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

benevolentA benevolent person is always kind and helpful. more...

The Watts Towers

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

The Watts TowersSimon Rodia created an unexpected and controversial work of art out of the waste of his home town. The Watts Towers' 17 structures have decorated the LA district of the same name for over sixty years. more...

A Little, A Few

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

A Little, A FewWhat about 'a little' and 'a few'? Are you clear on when to use them? Check this out! more...

parched

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

parchedThe adjective parched describes earth or crops that are dried out due to extended periods of hot dry weather. more...

Cactus Rustlin'

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

Cactus Rustlin'The Texan cactus faced down the mightiest of opponents: the burning hot sun of Texas. Yet, despite this triumph, it has been humiliated over and over again by a mere mortal – granted a lying, cheating, thieving one – the cactus rustler. more...

brainchild

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

brainchildThe noun brainchild describes a clever and original idea, plan or invention. more...

An Ingenious Marketing Plan

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

An Ingenious Marketing PlanCity marketing has become very popular in recent years, but marketing one's home town is not a recent phenomenon. In fact, one of the most successful promotional campaigns dates back to the 19th century. more...

It's, Its

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

It's, ItsIs it it's or its? Do you know when to use which one? It's very simple really! more...

grave

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

graveThe word grave has two meanings in English. more...

Not so Cute and Cuddly

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

Not so Cute and CuddlyMany city-born children think of rabbits as cute little Easter bunnies, or cuddly household pets. But for rural and agricultural communities, they're destructive pests. In Australia alone, rabbits cost the government millions a year. more...

Farther, Further

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

Farther, FurtherDid you know that some style guides differentiate between 'farther' and 'further'? more...

solder

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

solderA solder is a mix of soft metals which usually includes tin and lead. more...

The Fixie

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

The FixieNew Yorkers, San Franciscans and Los Angelenos have always been trendsetters. Now they are heading to the local cafe on a one-speed brakeless and even illegal track bike called the fixie. more...

Bob Dylan Turns 70

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

Bob Dylan Turns 70Strangely never a young man, Bob Dylan really did turn 70 this week. more...

market

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

marketA market is a place or event where people are able to buy and sell things. more...

A Lot of Hot Air?

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

A Lot of Hot Air?Apparently all we really want to do is talk to each other, to connect, to share our lives with other human beings who share the same interests – at least, that's the latest findings from the research group, Forrester Research. more...

Affect or Effect?

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

Affect or Effect?Even native speakers have trouble using these two words properly. Read on, and you'll never have this problem again! more...

monkey suit

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

monkey suitA monkey suit is another name for a tuxedo. It is often called a monkey suit because it looked like the outfit worn by an organ grinder, a man who played music with a small monkey, in the 19th century. It is usually used in a negative way. more...

The Tuxedo

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

The TuxedoFor nearly a hundred years, people believed that Griswold Lorillard invented the first tuxedo. But then, historian Chris Sonne uncovered the black-and-white suit's true designer – King Edward VII. more...

Hi Ho, It's Off to Work We Go!

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

Hi Ho, It's Off to Work We Go!Commuting is what you do when you travel between home and work or school, regardless of whether you drive, take the bus, or take the train. Americans are champion commuters. more...

keepsake

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

keepsakeQuite simply, a keepsake is something that is given or kept that is meant to evoke sentimental value about a person, place or event. Such an item can be large or small, cheap or expensive -- only the memories associated with it matter. more...

Gone With the Wind

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

Gone With the WindLast week's ravaging series of tornados killed hundreds and left thousands homeless. Some people lost everything: but one woman is trying to help them find what little they have left. more...

Here's a Tip!

Wed, 04 May 2011 00:00:00 GMT+0100

Here's a Tip!Do you leave a tip in Britain and the US? Absolutely! more...

fakelore

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

fakeloreFakelore is a combination of two words: fake and folklore. more...

Pecos Bill

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

Pecos BillRiding in on a tornado, swinging a rattlesnake as a lasso, Pecos Bill is one of the Wild West's most famous cowboys. Although he never actually lived, Pecos Bill has become an American legend and tall tale. more...

No -ing!

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

No -ing!Here's a useful tip! These verbs are not usually used in the continuous form (the '-ing' form). more...

honor

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

honorHonor refers to someone and something's good name or reputation. John would never hurt someone like that. He's a man of honor. Thousands die each year fighting for the honor of their country. more...

Commemorating Las Vegas

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

Commemorating Las VegasFor stamp collectors, it's always exciting to see the year's new issues. And when one of them just happens to contain a controversy, well, all the better. A recent sheet of US stamps is offering just that. more...

Cloth, Cloths, Clothes

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

Cloth, Cloths, ClothesWhen it comes to cloth, cloths and clothes, things can get a bit tricky. more...

sack

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

sackMost of the time when people talk about a sack, they are talking about a paper bag that you carry your groceries home in, and in England, people call a backpack a rucksack. more...

Forgotten History

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

Forgotten HistoryIn 1513 Ponce de Leon, looking for the fountain of youth, first set foot here. A few years later Juan Menendez de Aviles established a settlement here. St. Augustine, Florida is the oldest European city in America. Sadly, that's the problem. more...

Is It a Capital or a Capitol?

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

Is It a Capital or a Capitol?What's the difference between a capital and a capitol? If you're talking about government, even native speakers have trouble keeping these words straight. more...

afraid

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

afraidThe verb afraid means to experience a feeling of fear. more...

Whose Garden of Eden?

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

Whose Garden of Eden?For people with phobias, Florida's Everglades National Park may not be the best vacation destination - water, alligators and insects abound. And now a new resident may give visitors a real scare: the Burmese python. more...

What Americans Call Themselves

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

What Americans Call ThemselvesSure, people from the U.S. are Americans, but what do Americans call themselves? more...

dude

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

dudeDude is a common American English slang word used to address a person. Originally, it was used only to address young males, but in recent years, despite its feminine form 'dudette,' it's used for both genders. more...

At 50, Ken Gets a Makeover

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

At 50, Ken Gets a MakeoverAt Mattel, it seems that turning 50 means it's time for a new look. That's what happened to Barbie in 2009, and now her long-time companion Ken is on top. more...

Don't Be Late!

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

Don't Be Late!Americans and Britons are very conscious of time. Lateness is considered very rude, and not just in a business setting. more...

silver screen

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

silver screenThis word was coined in 1918 with the development of motion pictures. Today we show motion pictures on a white plastic or canvas background, but when movies were first developed, they where shown on a large metal or silver screen. more...

Actress Elizabeth Taylor Dies

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

Actress Elizabeth Taylor DiesAfter more than seven decades on the silver screen and more than 50 films, actress Elizabeth Taylor, known as one of Hollywood's true stars, has died at the age of 79. more...

Very Pretty!

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

Very Pretty!Pretty! This word is just great! Check this out. more...

lush

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

lushWhen used to modify a noun, the word lush is very positive. A lush garden or lush forest is very green with lots of flowers and fruit. It also means that something is appealing to the senses, thus the lush sounds of the orchestra would be a pleasure to hear. more...

The Wearing of the Green

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

The Wearing of the GreenMarch 17 is a national holiday in Ireland, and known as Saint Patrick's Day by millions of people throughout the world. Perhaps not surprisingly, you don't have to be Irish to really make a day of it. more...

Breath, Breathe

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

Breath, BreatheIt's easy to mix up the words breath and breathe. Here's a good way to remember the difference. more...

swagger

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

swaggerSwagger is both a verb and a noun. The verb to swagger, is to walk slowly in a self-assured and arrogant manner. more...

'P' is for Product Placement

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

'P' is for Product PlacementOne of the last holdouts in Europe, the UK has finally agreed to allow advertisers to showcase products within regular television programming. But just in case viewers want to hide their eyes, they'll be warned first. more...

Over 303 Million and Counting!

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

Over 303 Million and Counting!Ever wondered how many people actually live in America today? more...

bluff

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

bluffThe noun bluff is a steep bank, precipice or cliff. more...

Flipping Mad About Pancakes

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

Flipping Mad About PancakesPancake racing, a seemingly unlikely event found on sports calendars in Great Britain, traditionally takes place the day before Ash Wednesday, and offers a final shot of fun before the sobering weeks of Lent. more...

Borrow or Lend?

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

Borrow or Lend?These two verbs have a very similar meaning and regularly confuse non-native speakers of English. Read on, and you'll never be confused again! more...

baggage

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

baggageBaggage is a synonym for the word 'luggage.' Baggage is all the bags and cases you bring with you when you travel. It is an uncountable noun. more...

The Man in Black

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

The Man in BlackJohnny Cash is the voice of America. His musical journey through the heart of the country began fifty years ago. And though the Man in Black has turned gray, the country legend is still going strong. more...

Since When? For How Long?

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

Since When? For How Long?The two little words for and since can create all sorts of headaches for learners of English. Do you know how to use them correctly? more...

bark

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

barkBark is the woody, protective outer layer of a tree or stem. It can be smooth, rough, thick or thin. more...

Tapping the Sap

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

Tapping the SapWhen winter temperatures rise to the freezing point, an unusual harvest tradition begins throughout North America's East: maple tree sap. more...

Bed and Breakfast

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

Bed and BreakfastBed and Breakfasts, or B&Bs as they are generally called, are a very popular form of accommodation in Britain and America. They are often less expensive than hotels and motels. more...

valentine

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

valentineOften associated with February 14, Valentine's Day, a valentine can actually be a few different things, and doesn't have to be seasonal at all. more...

A Hand Full of Sweet Nothings

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

A Hand Full of Sweet NothingsIn the United States, over 8 million NECCO Sweethearts Conversation Hearts candy are sold in celebration of Valentine's Day. Not familiar with the sweet treats? Then read on. more...

She Can Advise You and Give Advice!

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

She Can Advise You and Give Advice!The verb to advise and the noun advice are easy to confuse. After all, they sound and look nearly the same! more...