Caught Red-Handed

July 18, 2021By Tim SchilstraPhrases

At this time of year, it is important to wear suntan lotion.  Today, I went for a long walk.  I was smart and I put suntan lotion on my arms, legs, and neck.  However, I forgot to put lotion on my hands.  Now, my hands are red. My story doesn’t have anything to do with … Read More

Just Like Riding a Bike

July 18, 2021By Tim SchilstraPhrases

Yesterday I went cycling for the first time since my leg was injured about 2.5 months ago.  It was nice to get back in the saddle (bicycle seat). I felt strange sitting on my bicycle.  My injured leg felt like it was too short when I started.  After about 10 minutes it was fine.  Also, … Read More

Close But No Cigar

July 16, 2021By Tim SchilstraPhrases

A lot of people are surprised to learn that I am a smoker.  Even though I only have a few cigarettes per day, I am a smoker.  I only smoke after work and it helps me to fall asleep. The phrase ‘close but no cigar’ means that you almost accomplished something but fell just short.  … Read More

The Dog Days of Summer

July 16, 2021By Tim SchilstraPhrases

It is really hot these days.  In Korean, there are names for the hottest days of the year.  Today is Chobok, the first of the hottest days.  The other days are Jungbok (July 27th) and Malbok (August 16th).  The ending phoneme, bok, comes from a Chinese character that looks like a dog lying on its … Read More

Let Your Hair Down

July 13, 2021By Tim SchilstraPhrases

I am on vacation this week or at least I booked this week off work.  Unfortunately, I still had to go to work most of Monday and a little bit on Tuesday.  There were time sensitive tasks to do.  Now, for the rest of the week, I am looking forward to letting my hair down … Read More

Apple of My Eye

July 12, 2021By Tim SchilstraPhrases

The phrase ‘apple of my eye’ refers to someone or something that is extremely special or important to someone.  It is more often used to talk about a loved one rather than an object.  This phrase is not commonly spoken, but most English speakers will know it. Example:  My sweetheart.  You are the apple of … Read More

From the Get-Go

July 10, 2021By Tim SchilstraPhrases

From the get-go means from the beginning.  An easy way to remember this is to think of it as get going.  However, the history of this phrase is a little more complex. Example:  I have been producing good work at this job from the get-go. Example:  This projected was doomed from the get-go.  From the … Read More

NSFW

July 10, 2021By Tim SchilstraPhrases, Words

One of my lessons from this past week was about taboo words.  I think it is interesting that we make certain vocalizations illegal.  Why are certain words so profane?  There are many reasons.  Words have emotions attached to them from experience and culture.  Sometimes the words are associate with taboo subjects.  Edmund Leech identified three … Read More

Keep it 100

July 8, 2021By Tim SchilstraPhrases

Keep it one hundred is a phrase used to show authenticity.  It may have come from keep it one hundred percent real.  Keeping it real is an older phrase which means, ‘be true to yourself’ (be authentic).  The phrase, keeping it real, was popularized in the Dave Chapelle’s sketch show.  It is really funny if … Read More

Euphemisms (dirty words)

July 8, 2021By Tim SchilstraSpeaking - SIETTP 2021

NSFW: Obviously I don’t use this PowerPoint in class but euphemisms are really important and used a lot when talking about genitals.  Here is a self paced game where you guess the meaning of the word before revealing the answer.  There is no actual nudity, but I made the pictures appear that way.  if you … Read More