Category Archives: Life in the United States

If you lived in the American South in the 1940s and you were African American, you would likely be very aware of the Jim Crow laws (see “What Insiders Know” in the Learning Guide of English Cafe 197). These laws … Continue reading →

Twenty-five years ago, in the movie Field* of Dreams, a mysterious (difficult to explain or understand) voice told Ray Kinsella, “If you build it, he will come.” Ray,  a young Iowa farmer, was not sure who “he” was, but he … Continue reading →

If you had been driving across California’s Central Valley (low land between mountains) recently, you would have seen a low-lying (just above the ground) cloud on the horizon (where the sky touches the earth). The cloud stretched (spread out) as … Continue reading →

If you walk — actually, you’d more likely drive — around Los Angeles, you’ll notice one thing: a lot of successful and wealthy-looking older men with beautiful young women. No, that’s not his daughter. It’s probably his girlfriend or trophy … Continue reading →

It’s summertime. Vacation time for most people. And for many Americans, RV time. There are close to 10 million recreational (an activity done for enjoyment) vehicles, or RVs, in the U.S. RVs are motor vehicles or trailers (a vehicle pulled … Continue reading →

If you walk down two flights (a set of steps between one floor and the next) of stairs to the basement of an office building near Times Square and through some heavy metal doors, you’ll enter a place people rarely … Continue reading →

Americans and Brits have a love-hate relationship (unclear feelings about each other). We love the British and the British hate us. This is evident (clear) if you watch any British drama shows. Americans are portrayed as (shown to be) loud, brash (aggressive … Continue reading →

Americans who remember the 1970s probably remember streakers – usually students – who ran naked (without clothes) in public places as a joke or to shock (surprise and upset) people. Today there’s a new group of streakers. At least that’s … Continue reading →

If someone calls you a “moron,” you should be very offended (feel insulted). A moron is someone who is very stupid. The term is harsher (more severe; more of an insult) than “stupid” or “dumb.” Today, Americans use this term … Continue reading →

At universities and research organizations today, there is a very common buzzword (a word or phrase that has become popular, like a slogan): collaboration. Collaboration refers to working with others to share ideas, with the aim (goal) of creating something … Continue reading →