So Many Ways to Murder, So Little Time

Posted on Tuesday - July 7, 2015 by Dr. Lucy Tse

And_Then_There_Were_None_US_First_Edition_Cover_1940One of my favorite things to do in my spare (free; extra) time is to read mysteries, fictional (not true; invented) stories about a crime — usually murder (killing another person) — and finding out who committed it. I started reading mysteries or detective (person solving a crime) novels (book-long stories) when I was a kid, and I’ve continued reading them to this day (to the present time).

Don’t get me wrong: I don’t like blood and guts (violence and lots of blood). I’m not a big fan of modern mysteries where crime scene investigations (CSI; careful examinations of where a crime was committed) find traces (indications; small amounts) of evidence that solve the crime. I prefer old-fashioned murders with very little gore (blood from violence) called “cozies.”

Having read mysteries for many years, I’ve developed my favorite ways to murder. Currently, my favorite method is to garrote someone. To garrote someone means to strangle them (stop them from breathing), usually using a piece of wire or thin rope wound (wrapped) around each hand and then pulled back on someone’s throat (part of the body between the head and the shoulders) so they can’t breath. The reason this is my current favorite method for murder is that it’s difficult for someone to escape (get away from it) if they are taken by surprise.

Here’s why and a tip (piece of advice): If I ever try to garrote you, your natural instinct (what you naturally feel you should do) will be to reach up to your neck to pull the garrote — wire or rope — away from your throat. This is nearly impossible to do because you have little leverage (means of using power) compared to me because of our relative positions (place in relation to the other person). Instead, you should twist (turn) your body to the side to try to dislodge (move from its place) the garrote. That’s very hard to remember when someone is garroting you, but don’t say I never taught you anything useful.

One more tip: Since I am relatively (compared to others) short, for me to garrote you, you will have to be shorter than me, walking ahead of me on a set of stairs, or be seated. So don’t walk ahead of me or sit down in my presence (when I am with you). (Again, you’re welcome.)

Garroting supplanted (replace; took the place of) my previous favorite method of murder: poisoning. Poison refers to any substance that can make you ill or kill you. It’s difficult today to find a poison that is undetectable (not easily noticed) and untraceable (leaving no indication of what it was afterwards). In the old days — and in my old mysteries — it was simple to visit an out-of-the-way (remote; with few people) place where these poisons seemed to be plentiful (with many available), at least in the authors’ imaginations. Those were the good old days.

In fact, with today’s scientific and technological advances (improvements), life is hard on (difficult for) murderers. Crime scene investigators have a lot of tools to use to help them find the perpetrator (criminal; person who commits a crime). Forensic science (using science to investigate crime) can give the police a lot of information from minute (very small, pronounced “my-NOOT”) tissue (material from the bodies of animals or humans), blood, and other types of samples (small amounts of something taken for scientific tests). Lab (laboratory; place where science tests and experiments are performed) tests can determine when, how, and under what circumstances you died. Forensic accountants (investigators of records relating to money earned, spent, and moved) and forensic computer experts can trace a victim’s (person who is hurt or killed) background and past activities, possibly finding out my motive (reason) for killing you.

So, as you see, although I have a passion for murder, it’s hard to indulge in (allow myself the pleasure of) it. By the way, if you are with the Los Angeles Police Department and are reading this, please do not be alarmed (shocked and worried). I have not (yet) committed any murders and I don’t have any immediate (short-term; right now) plans to do so. Rest assured (don’t be worried), I would only ever kill on paper (in writing).

– Lucy

Image Credit: First edition book cover of 1940 US edition of Agatha Christie’s And Then There Were None  from Wikipedia

Posted in Books and Reading | 10 Comments

Podcasts This Week (July 6, 2015)

Posted on Sunday - July 5, 2015 by Paolo T

icon_51812We are grateful to our members and donors, because we are only able to produce this podcast with the generous help of our listeners.

If you enjoy our podcasts, please consider supporting ESL Podcast by becoming a Basic or Premium Member today!

………

ON MONDAY
ESL Podcast 1118 – Bidding on Online Auctions

In the Learning Guide: Get a full transcript (written version of every word you hear), vocabulary list and sample sentences, and comprehension questions.
In “What Else Does it Mean,” learn the other meanings of “bid” ” and “to list.”
In the “Culture Note,” learn about “Seized Property Auctions.”
“Sometimes ‘law enforcement officers’ (police officers and people with related jobs) have to ‘seize’ (take without permission)…” – READ MORE in the Learning Guide
…

ON WEDNESDAY
English Cafe 510
Topics: American Presidents – Benjamin Harrison; to call the shots versus to wear the pants; inquiry versus enquiry; There’s more than one way to skin a cat.

In the Learning Guide:  Get a full transcript (written version of every word you hear).
In “What Insiders Know,” you will read about “Wovoka and The Ghost Dance Movement.”
“The Ghost Dance was a religious ‘movement’ (people working together to create or advance an idea)…” – READ MORE in the Learning Guide
…

ON FRIDAY
ESL Podcast 1119 – Methods for Quitting Smoking

In the Learning Guide: Get a full transcript (written version of every word you hear), vocabulary list and sample sentences, and comprehension questions.
In “What Else Does it Mean,” learn the other meanings of “for good” and “last resort.”
In the “Culture Note,” learn about “Tobacco Growing in the United States.”
“The ‘tobacco’ (the leaves used in cigarettes and related products) plant ‘is native to’ (comes from; was originally found in) the Americas…” – READ MORE in the Learning Guide

Posted in Announcements | 20 Comments

The Running Of The Interns

Posted on Tuesday - June 30, 2015 by Warren Ediger

enhanced-buzz-29438-1372264124-17You may have heard of the Running of the Bulls (male cows) in Spain, especially the most famous in Pamplona, or seen it on television. This yearly event began many years ago to solve the problem of moving bulls from the corrals (a place to temporarily keep animals) to the bullring, where bullfights are held. The bulls are released from the corrals and allowed to run through the streets to the bullring. Foolhardy (taking unnecessary risks) – in my opinion – young people run in front of the bulls and try to get to the bullring before the bulls. Many are hurt every year. Occasionally some are killed.

The running of the interns (someone who works for a short time in a job in order to get experience), in Washington, D.C., solves a different problem and may seem a little crazy to some. But no one, as far as I know, has been hurt or killed.

The U.S. Supreme Court announces many of its decisions near the end of their yearly term (time of meeting) – in May and June. Some of the decisions are important enough to attract reporters from around the world.

Here’s the problem. The Supreme Court has banned (doesn’t allow) all recording devices – video cameras, audio (sound) recorders, etc. – from the Supreme Court building. Reporters sit in the press room and listen to the Supreme Court proceedings (series of things that happen). When the justices (judges) announce an important decision, reporters in the press room quickly write a report, print it, hand it to an intern, and the running begins. Every television network wants to get their report on air first.

The interns race down a short hallway and out of the Supreme Court building. They cross the courtyard (open area outside), dodging (moving quickly to avoid someone/something) tourists, protestors, and others until they make a hard (sudden) left turn at the sidewalk and sprint (run at full speed) the final yards (meters) to where they breathlessly hand the report to a reporter waiting in front of the television cameras.

The running of the interns is only for the young and fit (in good physical condition). It’s about a quarter of a mile – approximately 400 meters – from the press room to the cameras. And in June, it’s usually hot and humid in Washington.

The winning intern last week, when the Supreme Court announced its decision on Obamacare – the Affordable Care Act – was Lauren Langille from CNBC, an American television business news channel. Congratulations, Lauren!

Here and here are two articles – both with animated (action) photos – that will help you experience this year’s running of the interns.

~ Warren Ediger – ESL tutor/coach and creator of the Successful English web site, where you’ll find clear explanations and practical suggestions for better English.

Photo from The Laurel

Posted in News and Current Events | 14 Comments

Podcasts This Week (June 29, 2015)

Posted on Sunday - June 28, 2015 by Paolo T

icon_51812Why are you only getting half of the benefits of ESL Podcast? The Learning Guide will help you learn English even faster.

Get the Learning Guide and support ESL Podcast today by becoming a Basic or Premium Member!

………

ON MONDAY
ESL Podcast 1116 – Reading and Processing Emails

In the Learning Guide: Get a full transcript (written version of every word you hear), vocabulary list and sample sentences, and comprehension questions.
In “What Else Does it Mean,” learn the other meanings of “to scan” and “to process.”
In the “Culture Note,” learn about “E-cards.”
“Americans often send ‘greeting cards’ (printed, folded cards with an image on the front and a kind…” – READ MORE in the Learning Guide
…

ON WEDNESDAY
English Cafe 509
Topics: American Playwrights – Arthur Miller; Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood; to evoke versus to invoke; fluently versus fluency; pronouncing bought and boat, late and let, and beer and bear

In the Learning Guide:  Get a full transcript (written version of every word you hear).
In “What Insiders Know,” you will read about “The Electric Company.”
“The Electric Company is an American educational series that first aired on October 25, 1971…” – READ MORE in the Learning Guide
…

ON FRIDAY
ESL Podcast 1117 – Assembling Furniture

In the Learning Guide: Get a full transcript (written version of every word you hear), vocabulary list and sample sentences, and comprehension questions.
In “What Else Does it Mean,” learn the other meanings of “part” and “bent.”
In the “Culture Note,” learn about “Buying Used Furniture.”
“People who don’t want to pay “full price” (the price being charged for a new item in a store)…” – READ MORE in the Learning Guide

Posted in Announcements | 7 Comments

ESLPod Now Has an App! Download Learn English Magazine

Posted on Wednesday - June 24, 2015 by Dr. Jeff McQuillan

PromotionMagAdFB.001I have some very exciting news to announce today: ESLPod.com now has an app on the Apple and Android app stores. It’s called Learn English Magazine, and it’s free!

Learn English Magazine includes some of the best material from our website, plus several new ways to improve your English, including videos, cartoons, and articles that you can only find in the magazine.

Every regular issue is free.

Apple users can download the app and subscribe here.

Android users (4.1 or later operating system) can download and subscribe here.

There are already four cool issues for you to download and enjoy. We’ll be publishing the magazine every two weeks.

To my knowledge, Learn English Magazine is the only free magazine app for learning English on either the Apple or Android app stores, so be sure to share the news with your friends, family, and coworkers.

Also in the magazine is the opportunity to sign up for a new special report I’ve written with information on how to improve your English, called “5 Things You MUST Know to Improve Your English.” To get the special report and additional tips on improving your English speaking and listening, download the magazine app, subscribe, and look for the special report offer inside the magazine.

If you have ever wondered how you should go about improving your English quickly, then you should read this special report, which you can only get in the magazine.

Here are some of the item in our latest issue (Issue #4):

  • Videos: Fling, Cast, or Toss?
  • My Life in English: The Catcher in the Rye and the American Teenager
  • Vocabulary: Why Having Convictions is Not the Same as Being a Convict
  • Business English: Selling on the Internet
  • Warren Ediger’s America: California’s Beauty in the Work of John Muir
  • Life in the U.S.: Why Dumb People Call the Police
  • Last Laugh: No Strings Attached (Cartoon)

Oh, and if you have time after you download the app, I would really appreciate it if you could write a review in your country’s app store. The review does not need to be in English, and it would really help us get the word out (let other people know) about the new magazine.

~Jeff

Posted in Announcements | 32 Comments

Podcasts This Week (June 22, 2015)

Posted on Sunday - June 21, 2015 by Paolo T

icon_51812Is your limited English standing in your way? Do you want to improve your English now?

Learn English even faster with the help of the Learning Guide. In it, you’ll get more vocabulary, language explanations, sample sentences, comprehension questions, cultural notes, and more.

Get the Learning Guide and support ESL Podcast today by becoming a Basic or Premium Member!

………

ON MONDAY
ESL Podcast 1114 – Forms of Government

In the Learning Guide: Get a full transcript (written version of every word you hear), vocabulary list and sample sentences, and comprehension questions.
In “What Else Does it Mean,” learn the other meanings of “imaginary” and “rule.”
In the “Culture Note,” learn about “Anti-Federalism.”
“‘Anti-Federalism’ was a ‘movement’ (the efforts of many people to change society in some way)…” – READ MORE in the Learning Guide
…

ON WEDNESDAY
English Cafe 508
Topics: American Musicals – Cabaret; The Guggenheim Museum; relation versus relationship; rerun versus syndication; belly of the beast

In the Learning Guide:  Get a full transcript (written version of every word you hear).
In “What Insiders Know,” you will read about “The Drama Desk Award.”
“In 1949, an organization called the “Drama Desk” was ‘founded’ (created; started) by New York City theater…” – READ MORE in the Learning Guide
…

ON FRIDAY
ESL Podcast 1115 – Buying Meat from a Butcher

In the Learning Guide: Get a full transcript (written version of every word you hear), vocabulary list and sample sentences, and comprehension questions.
In “What Else Does it Mean,” learn the other meanings of “cut” and “whole.”
In the “Culture Note,” learn about “New York City’s Meatpacking District.”
“The Meatpacking District in New York City ‘occupies’ (takes up space) a neighborhood in Manhattan…” – READ MORE in the Learning Guide

Posted in Announcements | 10 Comments

Writing in English: Verbs That Help Your Reader See

Posted on Tuesday - June 16, 2015 by Warren Ediger

dog_with_glasses_by_danihee-d53949bGood writers think of one thing: how to make what they want to say as clear as possible.

In Writing In English As A Second Language, I quoted (said what someone else said) William Zinsser, who wrote that “your best tools are short, plain…active verbs…. So fall in love with active verbs. They are your best friends.”

Mike Emrick is the play-by-play announcer (person who describes a game on radio or TV) for the Chicago Blackhawks hockey team. Many people believe he’s the best. The verbs he uses are one of the reasons why. The verbs he uses help his listeners see the action.

Recently someone made a list of verbs Emerick has used to describe Blackhawk games. I’ve chosen a few of them to show how good active verbs can give your reader or listener a better idea – a picture, in fact – of what you’re describing.

You don’t need to know much about hockey to make sense of (understand) Emerick’s verbs. Just remember that in hockey, players skate back and forth on the ice and use sticks to try to hit the puck (small round piece of hard rubber) into the other team’s net, or goal. It’s like soccer on ice.

I’ve chosen two groups of verbs. The first group describes how players hit the puck. The second group describes how the puck moves, especially as it goes into the net.

Here are some of Emrick’s verbs:

Chop – He chopped at the puck. / He hit at the puck as if trying to cut something with a tool.

Finesse – He finessed the puck into the net. / He hit the puck in a skillful or expert way.

Jab – He jabbed at the puck. / He hit at the puck with short quick movements of his stick.

Muscle – He muscled the puck into the net. / He used all his strength to hit the puck into the net.

Sky – He skied the puck. / He hit the puck high into the air.

Swat – He swatted at the puck. / He tried to hit the puck the same way you would try to hit a mosquito or some other insect that was bothering you.

Hop – The puck hopped into the net. / The puck jumped into the net like a rabbit.

Curl – The puck curled into the net. / The puck moved into the net in a curved (not straight), or circular, line.

Trickle – The puck trickled into the net. / The puck moved slowly into the net, little by little.

Skitter – The puck skittered across the ice. / The puck moved lightly and quickly, like a small animal.

If you do a lot of reading and listening, and pay attention to the verbs writers and speakers use, you’ll discover many more good active verbs.

Can you think of some other good active verbs for hockey or soccer? Let’s see how many verbs we can come up with that fit one of the sentences I used above – He _____ the puck (or ball) or The puck (or ball) _____ into the net. Add your verbs to the comments.

~ Warren Ediger – ESL coach/tutor and creator of the Successful English web site.

Photo from Deviantart used under Creative Commons license.

Posted in Language & Terms, Life in the United States | 15 Comments

Podcasts This Week (June 15, 2015)

Posted on Sunday - June 14, 2015 by Paolo T

icon_51812Get the full benefits of ESL Podcast by getting the Learning Guide. We designed the Learning Guide to help you learn English better and faster. Get more vocabulary, language explanations, sample sentences, comprehension questions, cultural notes, and more.

Get the Learning Guide and support ESL Podcast today by becoming a Basic or Premium Member!

………

ON MONDAY
ESL Podcast 1112 – Doing Impersonations

In the Learning Guide: Get a full transcript (written version of every word you hear), vocabulary list and sample sentences, and comprehension questions.
In “What Else Does it Mean,” learn the other meanings of “gesture” and “tone.”
In the “Culture Note,” learn about “Elvis Impersonators.”
“American comics impersonate many different ‘celebrities’ (famous people, especially musicians, actors, singers, and athletes)…” – READ MORE in the Learning Guide
…

ON WEDNESDAY
English Cafe 507
Topics: The Leo Franks Trial; on hand versus in hand versus at hand; discrete versus discretion

In the Learning Guide:  Get a full transcript (written version of every word you hear).
In “What Insiders Know,” you will read about “The Song ‘Strange Fruit.'”
“In 1937, a ‘little-known’ (not famous) high school teacher named Abel Meeropol in New York City…” – READ MORE in the Learning Guide
…

ON FRIDAY
ESL Podcast 1113 – Getting a Family Portrait Taken

In the Learning Guide: Get a full transcript (written version of every word you hear), vocabulary list and sample sentences, and comprehension questions.
In “What Else Does it Mean,” learn the other meanings of “to pose” and “prop.”
In the “Culture Note,” learn about “Occasions for Portraits.”
“With the ‘widespread’ (by many people across a large area) use of digital cameras…” – READ MORE in the Learning Guide

Posted in Announcements | 17 Comments

Should I Capitalize That?

Posted on Tuesday - June 9, 2015 by Dr. Lucy Tse

Anyone learning English already knows that the English language is full of quirks (strange things). One quirk has to do with capitalization, whether a word is written with a capital first letter (Letter) or not (letter). With some words, its meaning actually changes when you capitalize it. These words are called “capitonyms.”

Some of the most often used capitonyms are related to place names. Here are a few examples.

Earth: the planet that we live on
“Do you believe there is life on planets other than Earth?”

earth: dirt, the material on the surface of the ground
“The workers found important historical artifacts (items made by people who live a long time ago) under the top layer of earth.”

Notice that the pronunciation of both terms are the same.  That’s not the case with the example below:

Polish:  relating to the things or people of Poland
“Are you going to eat that Polish sausage (a type of food, similar to a hot dog)?”

to polish: to make something shiny (reflecting light) by rubbing it
“Yimi polished his leather shoes before going on the important interview.”

…

Other capitonyms have nothing to do with place names.

Frank: a man’s name
“Do you know Frank Bumgardner?  I went to high school with him.”

frank: in speech or writing, being honest and direct
“Please be frank with me.  I want to know the truth even if it’s bad news.”

August: the eighth month of the calendar year
“Many families go on vacation in August, right before school begins again in September.”

august: respected and considered very important
“Monica didn’t expect to attend a dinner with such august guests that included members of the royal family.”

There isn’t a comprehensive (with all included) list of capitonyms, but you can find more examples here.  The only way to know how they are being used is by looking at the context (words used around it).

Are there similarly strange quirks in the languages you speak?  Do capital letters make a difference in meaning?

– Lucy

Posted in Language & Terms | 12 Comments

Podcasts This Week (June 8, 2015)

Posted on Sunday - June 7, 2015 by Paolo T

icon_51812We are grateful to our members and donors, because we are only able to produce this podcast with the generous help of our listeners.

If you enjoy our podcasts, please consider supporting ESL Podcast by becoming a Basic or Premium Member today!

………

ON MONDAY
ESL Podcast 1110 – Experiencing Drought

In the Learning Guide: Get a full transcript (written version of every word you hear), vocabulary list and sample sentences, and comprehension questions.
In “What Else Does it Mean,” learn the other meanings of “reserves” and “relief.”
In the “Culture Note,” learn about “The 1936 North American Heat Wave.”
“In 1936, North America experienced the most “severe” (strong; intense) ‘heat wave’…” – READ MORE in the Learning Guide
…

ON WEDNESDAY
English Cafe 506
Topics: Ask an American – International work visas; to demonstrate versus to indicate versus to denote; hoot and to not give a hoot; Nice to meet you

In the Learning Guide:  Get a full transcript (written version of every word you hear).
In “What Insiders Know,” you will read about “Categories of Visas.”
“The U.S. Department of State ‘issues’ (creates and gives to others an official document)…” – READ MORE in the Learning Guide
…

ON FRIDAY
ESL Podcast 1111 – Symptoms of Depression

In the Learning Guide: Get a full transcript (written version of every word you hear), vocabulary list and sample sentences, and comprehension questions.
In “What Else Does it Mean,” learn the other meanings of “distant” and “tank.”
In the “Culture Note,” learn about “National Suicide Prevention Lifeline.”
“The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is a national ‘hotline’ (a phone number that people can call…” – READ MORE in the Learning Guide

Posted in Announcements | 7 Comments