I have practice in this group to know more new words and vocabulary and know different new things, so I think reading stories or news is helpful for that. Let us help each other in doing this.I hope everyone will show a good story or interesting news.
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Do you know any other stories about this word? If so, please, share them with others. I do know one more but I am waiting for your replies.
Tanya said:
A Story about Cocktail
While sipping a cocktail, have you ever thought about the meaning of the word?
cock + tail = cocktail
Why is that? – Well, nobody knows for sure, but there are numerous theories about the origin of the name. Here are just a few, which I like most:
1. The drink used to be decorated with a plant that looked like a cock’s tail. Today, colourful stirrers and picks (e.g. umbrellas) are used instead.
2. Alcoholic leftovers that could not be drawn off through the taps of the barrels were all put into one jar and sold. Cock is said to have been the name of what today is called tap (or spigot). Alcoholic leftovers were called tailings. So according to this theory, the drink was first called cock-tailing, which later became cocktail.
3. Alcoholic leftovers from bottles and barrels were put into a large cock-shaped ceramic vessel, the tap of which was at the tail of that cock. According to this theory, the drink was first called cock’s tail.
4. A pharmacist in New Orleans used to offer his guests a drink (brandy, sugar, water and bitters) in an egg-cup. He called the drink egg-cup cocquetier. His guests shortened this to cocktay, which later became cocktail.
5. The term derives from cock ale, a drink for which the blood of a cock was used – yuck!
While sipping a cocktail, have you ever thought about the meaning of the word?
cock + tail = cocktail
Why is that? – Well, nobody knows for sure, but there are numerous theories about the origin of the name. Here are just a few, which I like most:
1. The drink used to be decorated with a plant that looked like a cock’s tail. Today, colourful stirrers and picks (e.g. umbrellas) are used instead.
2. Alcoholic leftovers that could not be drawn off through the taps of the barrels were all put into one jar and sold. Cock is said to have been the name of what today is called tap (or spigot). Alcoholic leftovers were called tailings. So according to this theory, the drink was first called cock-tailing, which later became cocktail.
3. Alcoholic leftovers from bottles and barrels were put into a large cock-shaped ceramic vessel, the tap of which was at the tail of that cock. According to this theory, the drink was first called cock’s tail.
4. A pharmacist in New Orleans used to offer his guests a drink (brandy, sugar, water and bitters) in an egg-cup. He called the drink egg-cup cocquetier. His guests shortened this to cocktay, which later became cocktail.
5. The term derives from cock ale, a drink for which the blood of a cock was used – yuck!
Hi, everyone! I'd like to place 4 short stories about different holidays together with the topics for discussions. Hope, you will enjoy such activity. Please, take part in the discussions.
1.New Year's Day
New Year's Day is the day when people celebrate the beginning of a new year. On New Year's Eve, family and friends often get together for dinner or have a party to welcome in the new year. People often count down the hours, minutes, and seconds before the new year arrives, and they sometimes set off fireworks or play loud music. New Year's Day is a time of new beginnings, so people often make new year's resolutions---promises or goals they hope to accomplish during the coming year. Such resolutions often include losing weight, getting in shape, or eating a healthy diet. Other resolutions might deal with improving one's relationship with a family member or friend. Sometimes, these resolutions are short lived, that is, people don't follow through on their plans. However, the new year gives people opportunities to change and improve their lives.
Discussion
How do people in your hometown celebrate the new year? What foods do they prepare, what activities do they participate in, and what meaning does this day have for them?
2. Halloween
Halloween is a fun holiday for kids in the United States. Its origins date back hundreds of years, but today, children celebrate this day by dressing up in scary and humorous costumes, attending Halloween parties, and going door-to-door trick or treating. When children trick or treat, they go from house to house carrying a bag or other container, and they knock on doors asking for a treat (some kind of candy), and they say that if they aren't given a treat, they will play a trick on the person. It is a carefree holiday, but parents still need to teach their children to be safe. Generally speaking, children are encouraged to visit the houses of people they know, and children and parents should carefully inspect the candy their receive to make sure it is safe to eat. Also, it is a good idea to carry a flashlight so you can see your way when it gets dark.
Discussion
Do you have any similar holiday like Halloween in your country?
3. Thanksgiving Day
Many countries have a day of thanksgiving sometime during the year. In the United States, Thanksgiving Day is celebrated on the fourth Thursday of the month. Traditionally, this is the day when people get together with family and friends to give thanks for their many blessings including family, health, good fortune, and safety throughout the year. People usually prepare a wide variety of foods including turkey, sweet potatoes, pumpkin pie, green beans, mashed potatoes, and cranberry sauce. The head of the house often carves the turkey, and the rest of the family sits down to eat when all of the food is ready and set on the table. Often, someone is chosen to offer grace, or a prayer, to thank God for his many blessings. After the prayer is finished, people start passing around the food and helping themselves to the dishes on the table. People usually engage in light conversation as they eat. After the meal is over, pumpkin pie is served, and then the family helps clean up the table and dishes. It is often common for family members to sit and watch American football on TV.
Discussion
Do you have a day of thanksgiving in your country? If so, what takes place on this day? What special foods are prepared? What meaning does this day have for you?
4. Christmas Day
In many parts of the world, Christmas is the day when people celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ in Bethlehem two thousand years ago. People who remember Christmas as a religious holiday celebrate the birth of Jesus and his coming into this world. To them, he is recognized as the Son of God and the Savior of the world. According to the Bible, Jesus was born in a manger because there was no room for him and his parents, Mary and Joseph, in an inn. Today, people often attend church, organize family gatherings, and decorate their homes and businesses. People feel the giving spirit and donate their time and money to worthy causes, or provide volunteer service to the needy. Christmas is also celebrated as a secular holiday when parents and children talk about Santa Claus and Rudolf the Red Nose Reindeer.
Discussion
Is Christmas celebrated by people in your country? If not, do you have other holiday traditions or days at the end of the year? What meaning does Christmas day have for you or other people you know?
I hope you all will enjoy this clips from a Nigerian Newspaper:
'The Federal Government of Nigeria had stated its readiness to offer succour to Nigerians hit by poverty arising from the ongoing global economic meltdown by implementing an integrated social security policy which will cater for the unemployed,disabled and retirees in the country. This social security will cover both the formal and informal sectors of the economy'
Spidy! Here is an American fiction for you. It goes together with audio file. It is thrue American speech. And the fiction is nice. Hope you will like it.
A baby-faced 13-year-old boy, has made headlines around the world after his 15-year-old girlfriend gave birth to his daughter. Alfie, who was twelve at the time of conception, shot to fame after he appeared on the cover of Britain's biggest selling newspaper holding his new-born baby. Looking much younger than his 13 years, Alfie said "I know I'm young, but I plan to be a good dad."
The news has sparked outrage in the UK where people see the birth as a sign of Britain's decline in values or 'broken Britain' as the media are describing it.
Alfie's parents have been criticized in the press for cashing in on all the media interest by selling their story to the newspapers. It's believed that Alfie's divorced parents have received thousands of pounds from the tabloid press for interviews and photos.
In a new twist it's been reported that the baby's mother has had a number of boyfriends, and that Alfie may not be the father after all.
A spokesman for the 13-year-old who reportedly fathered the baby said a DNA test would be performed to identify the dad for certain.
Dear Spidy! Thank you for starting this discussion. I'd like to add some news from American newspaper.
This is IN THE NEWS in VOA Special English.
The Seattle Post-Intelligencer has become America's first major daily newspaper to publish online-only. Hearst, the company that owns it, printed the final newspaper on Tuesday. The Seattle P-I was one hundred forty-six years old -- the oldest daily newspaper in Washington state.
Seattle P-I employees in early March, before the newspaper became online-only
One hundred seventy people worked in the newsroom. Now just twenty journalists will work for seattlepi.com. The city is left with one major local daily, the Seattle Times. Some people think it could also go online-only.
Denver, Colorado, became a one-newspaper city a few weeks ago: the Rocky Mountain News closed. Other cities could soon follow.
Mike Simonton is a media analyst at Fitch Ratings. He believes many two-newspaper markets will not survive through the end of next year. By that time, he says, there could even be some markets with no printed local paper each day.
Newspaper companies like Hearst, he says, are experimenting with new business models to see what works. But he says any new product will have to be different enough that people will not be able to find it anywhere else.
Some newspaper companies have recently sought bankruptcy protection. These include the Tribune Company, owner of the Chicago Tribune and the Los Angeles Times, among others.
Newspapers earn most of their money from sales of advertising. But a lot of that market has moved to free or low-cost advertising on the Internet, including sites like Craigslist. Losses have only been intensified by the recession.
Ad sales have always gone up and down with the economy. But one difference this time is that many newspaper companies are heavily in debt from buying other newspapers.
Papers are cutting costs. Gannett, the nation's largest newspaper publisher, has cut more than one-fifth of its jobs in the past two years. More than eight thousand jobs have been lost.
In Detroit, Michigan, the two big dailies are reducing home delivery to three days a week. In Ohio, the state's largest papers still compete but now share stories.
Newspapers have lost millions of readers as a new generation has grown up. Yet much of the news that people get online still comes from newspapers. Most papers give it away free on their own sites. The Wall Street Journal is one of the few that charge for its online version.
Last month bloggers celebrated what they called a historic moment. President Obama, at his first major press conference, called on a reporter for a Web-only operation, the Huffington Post.
The United States Constitution guarantees freedom of speech and the press. But as budgets shrink, newspapers are printing fewer pages, less news. They have fewer reporters not just in foreign capitals, but even in Washington.
Industry observers say quality reporting is being lost. The question now is to what extent it will find a new home on the Internet.
A poor woodman sat in his cottage one night, smoking his pipe by the fireside, while his wife sat by his side spinning.
'How lonely it is, wife,' said he, as he puffed out a long curl of smoke, 'for you and me to sit here by ourselves, without any children to play about and amuse us while other people seem so happy and merry with their children!'
' What you say is very true,' said the wife, sighing, and turning round her wheel; 'how happy should I be if I had but one child! If it were ever so small - nay, if it were no bigger than my thumb - I should be very happy and love it dearly.'
Now (odd as you may think it) it came to pass that this good woman's wish was fulfilled, just in the very way she had wished it; for, not long afterwards, she had a little boy, who was quite healthy and strong, but was not much bigger than my thumb.
So they said, 'Well, we cannot say we have not got what we wished for, and, little as he is, we will love him dearly.' And they called him Thomas Thumb.
Replies
Tanya said:
While sipping a cocktail, have you ever thought about the meaning of the word?
cock + tail = cocktail
Why is that? – Well, nobody knows for sure, but there are numerous theories about the origin of the name. Here are just a few, which I like most:
1. The drink used to be decorated with a plant that looked like a cock’s tail. Today, colourful stirrers and picks (e.g. umbrellas) are used instead.
2. Alcoholic leftovers that could not be drawn off through the taps of the barrels were all put into one jar and sold. Cock is said to have been the name of what today is called tap (or spigot). Alcoholic leftovers were called tailings. So according to this theory, the drink was first called cock-tailing, which later became cocktail.
3. Alcoholic leftovers from bottles and barrels were put into a large cock-shaped ceramic vessel, the tap of which was at the tail of that cock. According to this theory, the drink was first called cock’s tail.
4. A pharmacist in New Orleans used to offer his guests a drink (brandy, sugar, water and bitters) in an egg-cup. He called the drink egg-cup cocquetier. His guests shortened this to cocktay, which later became cocktail.
5. The term derives from cock ale, a drink for which the blood of a cock was used – yuck!
1.New Year's Day
New Year's Day is the day when people celebrate the beginning of a new year. On New Year's Eve, family and friends often get together for dinner or have a party to welcome in the new year. People often count down the hours, minutes, and seconds before the new year arrives, and they sometimes set off fireworks or play loud music. New Year's Day is a time of new beginnings, so people often make new year's resolutions---promises or goals they hope to accomplish during the coming year. Such resolutions often include losing weight, getting in shape, or eating a healthy diet. Other resolutions might deal with improving one's relationship with a family member or friend. Sometimes, these resolutions are short lived, that is, people don't follow through on their plans. However, the new year gives people opportunities to change and improve their lives.
Discussion
How do people in your hometown celebrate the new year? What foods do they prepare, what activities do they participate in, and what meaning does this day have for them?
2. Halloween
Halloween is a fun holiday for kids in the United States. Its origins date back hundreds of years, but today, children celebrate this day by dressing up in scary and humorous costumes, attending Halloween parties, and going door-to-door trick or treating. When children trick or treat, they go from house to house carrying a bag or other container, and they knock on doors asking for a treat (some kind of candy), and they say that if they aren't given a treat, they will play a trick on the person. It is a carefree holiday, but parents still need to teach their children to be safe. Generally speaking, children are encouraged to visit the houses of people they know, and children and parents should carefully inspect the candy their receive to make sure it is safe to eat. Also, it is a good idea to carry a flashlight so you can see your way when it gets dark.
Discussion
Do you have any similar holiday like Halloween in your country?
3. Thanksgiving Day
Many countries have a day of thanksgiving sometime during the year. In the United States, Thanksgiving Day is celebrated on the fourth Thursday of the month. Traditionally, this is the day when people get together with family and friends to give thanks for their many blessings including family, health, good fortune, and safety throughout the year. People usually prepare a wide variety of foods including turkey, sweet potatoes, pumpkin pie, green beans, mashed potatoes, and cranberry sauce. The head of the house often carves the turkey, and the rest of the family sits down to eat when all of the food is ready and set on the table. Often, someone is chosen to offer grace, or a prayer, to thank God for his many blessings. After the prayer is finished, people start passing around the food and helping themselves to the dishes on the table. People usually engage in light conversation as they eat. After the meal is over, pumpkin pie is served, and then the family helps clean up the table and dishes. It is often common for family members to sit and watch American football on TV.
Discussion
Do you have a day of thanksgiving in your country? If so, what takes place on this day? What special foods are prepared? What meaning does this day have for you?
4. Christmas Day
In many parts of the world, Christmas is the day when people celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ in Bethlehem two thousand years ago. People who remember Christmas as a religious holiday celebrate the birth of Jesus and his coming into this world. To them, he is recognized as the Son of God and the Savior of the world. According to the Bible, Jesus was born in a manger because there was no room for him and his parents, Mary and Joseph, in an inn. Today, people often attend church, organize family gatherings, and decorate their homes and businesses. People feel the giving spirit and donate their time and money to worthy causes, or provide volunteer service to the needy. Christmas is also celebrated as a secular holiday when parents and children talk about Santa Claus and Rudolf the Red Nose Reindeer.
Discussion
Is Christmas celebrated by people in your country? If not, do you have other holiday traditions or days at the end of the year? What meaning does Christmas day have for you or other people you know?
'The Federal Government of Nigeria had stated its readiness to offer succour to Nigerians hit by poverty arising from the ongoing global economic meltdown by implementing an integrated social security policy which will cater for the unemployed,disabled and retirees in the country. This social security will cover both the formal and informal sectors of the economy'
Isn't this nice?
A baby-faced 13-year-old boy, has made headlines around the world after his 15-year-old girlfriend gave birth to his daughter. Alfie, who was twelve at the time of conception, shot to fame after he appeared on the cover of Britain's biggest selling newspaper holding his new-born baby. Looking much younger than his 13 years, Alfie said "I know I'm young, but I plan to be a good dad."
The news has sparked outrage in the UK where people see the birth as a sign of Britain's decline in values or 'broken Britain' as the media are describing it.
Alfie's parents have been criticized in the press for cashing in on all the media interest by selling their story to the newspapers. It's believed that Alfie's divorced parents have received thousands of pounds from the tabloid press for interviews and photos.
In a new twist it's been reported that the baby's mother has had a number of boyfriends, and that Alfie may not be the father after all.
A spokesman for the 13-year-old who reportedly fathered the baby said a DNA test would be performed to identify the dad for certain.
This is IN THE NEWS in VOA Special English.
The Seattle Post-Intelligencer has become America's first major daily newspaper to publish online-only. Hearst, the company that owns it, printed the final newspaper on Tuesday. The Seattle P-I was one hundred forty-six years old -- the oldest daily newspaper in Washington state.
Seattle P-I employees in early March, before the newspaper became online-only
One hundred seventy people worked in the newsroom. Now just twenty journalists will work for seattlepi.com. The city is left with one major local daily, the Seattle Times. Some people think it could also go online-only.
Denver, Colorado, became a one-newspaper city a few weeks ago: the Rocky Mountain News closed. Other cities could soon follow.
Mike Simonton is a media analyst at Fitch Ratings. He believes many two-newspaper markets will not survive through the end of next year. By that time, he says, there could even be some markets with no printed local paper each day.
Newspaper companies like Hearst, he says, are experimenting with new business models to see what works. But he says any new product will have to be different enough that people will not be able to find it anywhere else.
Some newspaper companies have recently sought bankruptcy protection. These include the Tribune Company, owner of the Chicago Tribune and the Los Angeles Times, among others.
Newspapers earn most of their money from sales of advertising. But a lot of that market has moved to free or low-cost advertising on the Internet, including sites like Craigslist. Losses have only been intensified by the recession.
Ad sales have always gone up and down with the economy. But one difference this time is that many newspaper companies are heavily in debt from buying other newspapers.
Papers are cutting costs. Gannett, the nation's largest newspaper publisher, has cut more than one-fifth of its jobs in the past two years. More than eight thousand jobs have been lost.
In Detroit, Michigan, the two big dailies are reducing home delivery to three days a week. In Ohio, the state's largest papers still compete but now share stories.
Newspapers have lost millions of readers as a new generation has grown up. Yet much of the news that people get online still comes from newspapers. Most papers give it away free on their own sites. The Wall Street Journal is one of the few that charge for its online version.
Last month bloggers celebrated what they called a historic moment. President Obama, at his first major press conference, called on a reporter for a Web-only operation, the Huffington Post.
The United States Constitution guarantees freedom of speech and the press. But as budgets shrink, newspapers are printing fewer pages, less news. They have fewer reporters not just in foreign capitals, but even in Washington.
Industry observers say quality reporting is being lost. The question now is to what extent it will find a new home on the Internet.
" Tom Thumb "
A poor woodman sat in his cottage one night, smoking his pipe by the fireside, while his wife sat by his side spinning.
'How lonely it is, wife,' said he, as he puffed out a long curl of smoke, 'for you and me to sit here by ourselves, without any children to play about and amuse us while other people seem so happy and merry with their children!'
' What you say is very true,' said the wife, sighing, and turning round her wheel; 'how happy should I be if I had but one child! If it were ever so small - nay, if it were no bigger than my thumb - I should be very happy and love it dearly.'
Now (odd as you may think it) it came to pass that this good woman's wish was fulfilled, just in the very way she had wished it; for, not long afterwards, she had a little boy, who was quite healthy and strong, but was not much bigger than my thumb.
So they said, 'Well, we cannot say we have not got what we wished for, and, little as he is, we will love him dearly.' And they called him Thomas Thumb.
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