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Regimented
Word of the Day: Regimented If something is too controlled or much too organized, then it is regimented. In daily life, this word doesn’t carry a positive meaning. To relate this word to Japan, I’m sure you know what ゆとり教育 is. The ゆとりregimented教育 (yutori kyoiku) system was created when the Ministry of Education decided that…
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Rite of passage
WotD: Rite of passage There are some things in life which highlight a change in our lives. They could be official ceremonies or informal events that have a significant meaning. The one thing they have in common is that they are rites of passage. A rite of passage is an official ceremony or informal event,…
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Let sleeping dogs lie
English Proverb: Let sleeping dogs lie The meaning of let sleeping dogs lie is quite simple, really: do not wake up a sleeping dog. Why? Well, a sleeping dog is not dangerous. However, if you wake up a sleeping dog, she may bite you. In other words, do not bring up a topic which could…
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Buzz (someone) in
Word of the Day: Buzz (someone) in Buzz someone in means to open a door for someone by pressing a button. Think about it this way. If you live in an apartment building, when someone wants to visit you or deliver a package, they need to call you from the front door of the lobby.…
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On a wing and a prayer
English Phrase: On a wing and a prayer I’m sure everybody who reads this has taken an English test or some other on a wing and a prayer. I am sure you felt you had not prepared enough for the test, but you had to take it anyway and hoped you would do well. That’s the…
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Gem
Word of the Day: Gem Precious stones such as diamonds, emeralds, and rubies are usually called gems. They are all rare and hard to find. Well, ladies, Valentine’s Day has recently come and gone, and let me tell you that your husband can also be called a gem. I know he does not look like…
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As American as apple pie
English Expression: As American as apple pie If you describe something as American as apple pie, you mean that it is stereotypically American. Monday night football, muscle cars and icanHarley Davidson motorcycles are as American as apple pie. If you see or hear anything about these things, you immediately think of the USA. They are…
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Parcel vs. Package
Word of the Day: Parcel vs. Package Just a short one today. Some students switch back and forth between parcel and package; sometimes, they say parcel, and sometimes package. So what’s the difference? Well, parcel is British English, and package is American English. If you live in the United States and send your British friend a…
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It takes two to tango
Idiom: It takes two to tango It takes two to tango is usually used when discussing something that is bad but requires two people to make it happen. Perhaps your friend wants to argue with you, but it takes two to tango. If you do not argue with your friend, there is no argument, even…
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Joie de vivre
Word of the Day: Joie de vivre Let’s go, French, shall we? English has many French loanwords, such as joie de vivre, because French has been a significant part of English since William the Conqueror led the Norman invasion of England. We also use French phrases. Our pronunciation of French may not be entirely correct,…
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