Monthly Archives: July 2008

What Are “Cooties”?

Posted on Thursday - July 31, 2008 by Dr. Lucy Tse

QUESTION: Brian in the U.S. asked: What are “cooties”? I watch “Arthur,” the cartoon (show with animation (drawings)), every morning, and the characters often say, “You have cooties!” but I do not understand! Please help! ANSWER: Cooties are imaginary (not … Continue reading →

Posted in Language & Terms | 11 Comments

Poll: Which Superpower Would You Want?

Posted on Monday - July 28, 2008 by Dr. Lucy Tse

It’s summertime and the movie theaters are full of blockbusters (very successful; earning a lot of money) movies. The number 1 movie in the U.S. this week is The Dark Knight, a movie about Batman. I haven’t seen it yet, … Continue reading →

Posted in Polls | 23 Comments

Is iTunes U for You?

Posted on Wednesday - July 23, 2008 by Dr. Jeff McQuillan

As some of you probably know already, iTunes has a special section for university lectures and classes.  Different universities, including some of the best in the United States, provide free lectures and demonstrations on a variety of topics from some … Continue reading →

Posted in Recommendations, Technology | 10 Comments

“Summertime” by George Gershwin

Posted on Monday - July 21, 2008 by Dr. Lucy Tse

We’re in the middle of summer and it has brought to mind (made me remember) the song “Summertime.” This is a song that was part of a well-known musical (show or movies with singing) called Porgy and Bess, and was … Continue reading →

Posted in Karaoke English | 10 Comments

Home Away from Home

Posted on Thursday - July 17, 2008 by Dr. Jeff McQuillan

The expression home away from home means that the place you are describing is as comfortable as your own house, somewhere you can feel “at home,” and it is usually where you spend a lot of your time. You could … Continue reading →

Posted in Language & Terms | 18 Comments

What a Font Says About You

Posted on Tuesday - July 15, 2008 by Dr. Lucy Tse

A font is the size and style of printed letters and words, like these: The latest trend (fashion; something new that many people are doing) for important people or celebrities is to commission (hire someone to make or create something) … Continue reading →

Posted in Life in the United States | 14 Comments

Urban Dictionary

Posted on Thursday - July 10, 2008 by Dr. Jeff McQuillan

We often get questions about slang words listeners see in the newspaper or (more likely) hear in movies, TV programs, and songs. The problem with slang is that it keeps changing. Words that were slang five years ago may no … Continue reading →

Posted in Language & Terms | 7 Comments

ESL Podcast in Malaysian Newspaper The Sun

Posted on Tuesday - July 8, 2008 by Dr. Jeff McQuillan

Thanks to Bill from the University of Malaya for mentioning ESL Podcast in a recent article that appeared in the daily national newspaper, The Sun, in Malaysia.  We always appreciate our listeners and supporters mentioning ESL Podcast to their friends, … Continue reading →

Posted in About ESL Podcast | 2 Comments

Shoe Store and Bakery?!

Posted on Monday - July 7, 2008 by Dr. Lucy Tse

We’ve all seen places where two business are run out of the same storefront (outside view or entrance to a store). There are a lot of strange combinations and sometimes it is difficult to see how the two business complement … Continue reading →

Posted in Life in the United States | 7 Comments

How Do You Mend a Broken Heart?

Posted on Thursday - July 3, 2008 by Dr. Jeff McQuillan

Last week we published an episode called Mending a Broken Heart about someone who is sad because their boyfriend or girlfriend has left them.  Most of us have experienced this at some time in our lives (and some of us, … Continue reading →

Posted in Discussing the Episodes | 8 Comments