Rules of Thumb

The thumb is the short, thick finger on your hand, the one that helps you hold things.
 
Thumb Nouns
The noun “thumb” is used in a lot of expressions:
to give someone the thumbs up/down
(to give someone approval/disapproval)

Thumb Verbs
'Thumb is also used as a verb.
to thumb a ride (informal)
to hitchhike; to try to get a ride by
standing on the road sticking out your thumb.
 
Thumb Idioms
Here are some idioms with thumb. Can you guess their idiomatic
meanings by thinking about their literal meanings?
To stick out like a sore thumb:
Betty sticks out like a sore thumb in that yellow dress. Everyone else is wearing blue.
(Betty looks very different from everyone else; she looks a little foolish.)
A green thumb:
He has a green thumb. He is good at making plants grow.  Everything in his garden flourishes.

A Rule of Thumb: (a practical rule) “You should pay your best attention to the Tips of Grammar

as well as The Rules of Thumb listed in every issue of this BULLETIN”.

 

21st Century...

Clip of the Day

No comments!

Remember...

Clip of the Day

Do not, repeat, do not come to Brazil for the World Cup...

Click on the link below:

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/06/21/opinion/social-awakening-in-brazil.html?ref=todayspaper

The Fact

Do not go to Brazil during the World Cup

Click on the link below:

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/06/18/world/americas/thousands-gather-for-protests-in-brazils-largest-cities.html?_r=0

Clip of the Day

If I were you, I'd think twice before going to Brazil...

Language Filter

Infinity...

Some connection between the words "eight" &"night" in a number of languages. Any reason for this?

Just Watch:

English: eight - night
Spanish: ocho - noche
French: huit - nuit
German: acht - nacht
Italian: otto - notte
Portuguese: oito - noite

Quote of the Day

"Experiene is the name that every one gives to their mistakes". Oscar Wilde, Irish writer and poet.

SENIOR CITIZENS

Senior citizens are constantly being criticized for every conceivable deficiency of the modern world, real or imaginary. We know we take responsibility for all we have done and do not blame others.

HOWEVER, upon reflection, we would like to point out that it was NOT the senior citizens who took:

The melody out of music,
The pride out of appearance,
The courtesy out of driving,
The romance out of love,
The commitment out of marriage,
The responsibility out of parenthood,
The togetherness out of the family,
The learning out of education,
The service out of patriotism,
The Golden Rule from rulers,
The nativity scene out of cities,
The civility out of behaviour,
The refinement out of language,
The dedication out of employment,
The prudence out of spending,
The ambition out of achievement, or,
God out of government and school.

And we certainly are NOT the ones who eliminated patience and tolerance from personal relationships and interactions with others!!

YES, I'M A SENIOR CITIZEN!

At the classroom

This teacher was reviewing her class's homework assignment.

She asked Susie to stand up and tell the class what part of the human body enlarges to seven times its original size when stimulated. Susie stood up, shuffled her feet and said,

- "Well, I think I know, but I'm too embarrassed to tell you."
The teacher said,

- "Sit down, Susie. 

- Johnny, tell the class what part of the human body enlarges to seven times its size when stimulated." Johnny said,

- "That's easy. The pupil of the eye enlarges to seven times its original size when stimulated by light." The teacher said:
 
- "That's right, Johnny." Then she turned to Susie and said, "Susie, first of all, you didn't do your homework. Second, you have a dirty mind. And third, when you get married, you're in for a big disappointment."

Need Water!

 A traveler was stumbling through the desert, desperate for water, then he saw something, far off in the distance. Hoping to find water, he walked towards the image, only to find a little old peddler sitting at a card table with a bunch of neckties laid out. The parched wanderer asked, 

- "Please, I'm dying of thirst, can I have some water?" 

The man replied...

- "I don't have any water, but why don't you buy a tie? Here's one that goes nicely with your clothes." 

The desperate man shouted, 

- "I don't want a tie, you idiot, I need water!" 

- "OK, don't buy a tie. But to show you what a nice guy I am, I'll tell you that over that hill there, about 5 miles, is a nice restaurant. Walk that way, they'll give you all the water you want." 

The man thanked the peddler and walked away towards the hill and eventually disappeared out of sight. Three hours later he returned. The man at the card table asked, 

- "I told you, about 5 miles over that hill. Couldn't you find it?" 

- "I found it all right. They wouldn't let me in without a tie."

Video Clip of the Day

You said it, Kiddo!

Always let Your Boss Have the First Say

A sales representative , an administration clerk, and the manager are walking to lunch when they find an antique oil lamp.
They rub it and a Genie comes out.
The Genie says,

- “I’ll give each of you just one wish”
 
- “Me first! Me first!” says the administration clerk. I want to be in the Bahamas, driving a speedboat, without a care in the world.” Poof! She’s gone.
 
- “Me next! Me next!” says the sales rep.
- “I want to be in Hawaii,relaxing on the beach with my personal masseuse, an endless supply of Pina Coladas and the love of my life.” Poof! He’s gone. 

- “OK, you’re up,” the Genie says to the manager. The manager says,
- “I want those two back in the office after lunch.”

Video Clip of the Day

No comments...

Enbarrassment

Barack Obama's limo breaks down on Israel trip after petrol mix-up

The most powerful man in the world faced the embarrassment of having to switch vehicles after somebody filled it up with petrol instead of diesel

Laughter's the best medicine

IT DOESN’T PAY…

The Pope passed away and went to heaven. He was greeted by St. Peter, who congratulated him and said he could have anything he wished. The Bishop of Rome requested something to eat and a telescope so that he could look around. While eating the sandwich he peered through the telescope down at the folks in hell and saw that they were feasting on lobster, filet mignon and caviar.

- "How come people down there are eating gourmet food?” he asked St. Peter. “I earned a place in heaven, but you gave me only a tuna-fish sandwich! 

- ”Well, replied St Peter, “it doesn’t pay to cook for just the two of us.”

British and American English

 "Britain and America are two nations divided by a common language". George Bernard Shaw

This is a story about the daily life of New York Nate, who lives in the United States; and London Laura, who lives in England.

As you can see, they have very similar lives... but the vocabulary words they use are very different!

New York Nate lives in an apartment, and London Laura lives in a flat.

American English vs. British English - Apartment - Flat

Every morning, when getting dressed, New York Nate puts on a pair of pants - whereas London Laura puts on a pair of trousers. Both New York Nate and London Laura have babies, but New York Nate needs to change the baby's diaper, and London Laura needs to change the baby's nappy.

 American English vs. British English - Pants/Trousers - Diaper/Nappy

When it's time to go to work, New York Nate takes the subway and London Laura takes the underground (which is also called the tube).

American English vs. British English - Subway/Underground

After getting off at the right stop, New York Nate walks along the sidewalk and London Laura walks along the pavement to reach their offices.

American English vs. British English - Sidewalk/Pavement

New York Nate works on the first floor of the building, and London Laura works on the ground floor. This means they don't need to take the elevator (for New York Nate) or the lift (for London Laura).

American English vs. British English - Elevator/Lift

At work, both Nate and Laura need to send some important documents to a client - but New York Nate sends them by mail and London Laura sends them by post. During the day, New York Nate snacks on cookies, french fries, and potato chips. London Laura eats the same things, but she calls them biscuits, chips, and crisps.


American English vs. British English

This isn't a very healthy diet, is it? Both Nate and Laura get stomachaches, so on the way home from work New York Nate stops at the drugstore or pharmacy and London Laura stops at the chemist's shop to pick up some medicine. After work, Nate and Laura go shopping. They drive to the mall, and New York Nate puts his car in the parking lot, whereas London Laura puts hers in the car park.

American English vs. British English - Parking Lot/Car Park

Both of them buy a lot of stuff, so New York Nate puts his purchases in the trunk, and London Laura puts hers in the boot.

American English vs. British English - Trunk/Boot

On the way home, New York Nate stops to fill up the car with gas - and London Laura fills up her car with petrol. At the station, New York Nate sees a truck, and London Laura sees a lorry.

American English vs. British English - Truck/Lorry

They both get home late, and New York Nate needs to take out the garbage or trash; London Laura also needs to take out the rubbish. It's dark outside, so New York Nate takes a flashlight, and London Laura takes a torch.

American English vs. British English - Flashlight/Torch

It's been a long day, and New York Nate thinks he's going to go crazy; London Laura thinks she might go mad.

American English vs. British English - Crazy/Mad

It must be time for a vacation for New York Nate... and a holiday for London Laura!

American English vs. British English - Vacation/Holiday

From "Expresso English"