Archive for December, 2009
Bigwig: Such an Important Person
Now, the Special English program, Words and Their Stories. (MUSIC) Some expressions describe people who are important, or at least who think they are. One such expression is, bigwig. In the seventeenth century, important men in Europe began to wear false hair, called wigs. As years passed, wigs began to get bigger. The size of [...]
Ace in the Hole: Put on Your Poker Face
Now, Words and Their Stories, a program in Special English by the Voice of America. (MUSIC) It is surprising how many expressions that Americans use every day came from the card game of poker. For example, you hear the expression, ace in the hole, used by many people who would never think of going near [...]
A Chip on Your Shoulder: What Are You Going to Do About It?
Now, the VOA Special English program, Words and Their Stories. (MUSIC) Every week at this time we tell the story of words and expressions used in American English. Some of them are old. Some are new. Together, they form the living speech of the American people. Some popular expressions are a mystery. No one is [...]
