French Loan Words

A few more French words:
Gaffe; faux pas.

Menu

I was teaching a Korean GCSE pupil and I commented that a word was French in origin. He asked me if I spoke French. I said yes and asked if he was studying French at school. He said wistfully that because his native language was Korean, his school had put him in a class learning English - EFL (English as a Foreign Language), so he was missing out on French and Spanish. He'd heard that Spanish was easy to learn.

I fetched two simple and user-friendly books on French and Spanish from my shelves. They both contained menu translations which are useful to travellers, especially French menus which are still used in some high class restaurants even when the food is not French.

I asked if he'd like to learn some French and Spanish words and their English translations, perhaps just 5 minutes on each as part of a one-hour lesson. He was enthusiastic.

I suggested that he should get take-away menus from Spanish and French restaurants next time he was in a high street.

It's amazing the number of words you know in a foreign language even when you think you don't speak that language.

To give you just ten in French:

menu
hors d'oevre - starter - literally outside of work
croissant curved bread roll literally crescent
serviette
RSVP

bonjour (literally good day - journal= diary or daily record)
s'il vous plait (literally if it you pleases)
merci
vinaigrette
citron presse

Ten in Spanish - Italian and Portuguese words are often very similar:

senor
senorita
sombrero
manana
hasta la vista

rio river
grande big
casa mia (house - mine)
villa
santa saint as in Santa Claus

While I'm in the mood I'll add
por favor please
gracias thank you

I gave my pupil the titles of two books:

French in Ten Minutes a day by Kristine Kershul. ISBN 0-916682-96-X

(Same series has Spanish, Hebrew and many more - I'll check for you - Italian, German, Norwegian, Chinese, Japanese, Russian)

The other book was:
I can read Spanish by Penrose Colyer. ISBN 0 85654 0250 (German in the same series)

Both give extensive vocabulary, simple sentences, and lots of pictures to make learning fun.

Browse in a big bookshop's language and education sections and you'll find more.

I reckoned I had had a good lesson, getting my pupil enthusiastic learning about three languages with a weekly plan of action.

I have taught French to pupils who cannot find a French teacher when I was already teaching them English. But that is only under request from the pupil who cannot concentrate on the English homework until the French worry is out of way.

My real expertise is teaching English. If you know anybody who wants one hour lessons (or 90 minute or two hour lessons) I can teach in London when I'm here (like now), occasionally in Singapore, and any time on line if you want to call me and have a lesson on Skype, or by phone. You pay me in advance by Paypal. You can try one lesson, UK time from 7 am to 2 am. The price is £25 or the the US dollar equivalent for age and level up to A level (school leaving), a bit more for adults and businesses and creative writing.
Contact angelalansbury@hotmail.com BA Hons

banquet
banquette
brasserie
brassiere
buffet
coup d'etat
coup de grace
cul de sac
fin de siècle
finesse
naive
svelte

Loan Words in English

Foreign Words: American English, French/Franglais, Irish, Spanish, Singlish, Yiddish 

 Dear Friends 

 Confusing words

The USA

 I had an embarrassing moment in an American supermarket when I asked for a rubber. The assistant said I needed a pharmacy. Americans would use the word eraser. I started collecting words which caused embarrassment and confusion.

I started making a list of words which were different in the English and American dictionary to help my pupils. I keep adding loan words. 

You can find them in an etymological dictionary (one which gives the origins of words, such as most reasonably sized Oxford Dictionaries) or on the Internet.

Foreign Words 

I also started listing French words. Then I expanded my list to other languages. Dialect Words I added dialect words.I took words which we use in English, and words which are common in English-speaking countries.I am trying to get a minimum of five or ten from each language. My results are like this: 

 American color (colour); Diapers (nappies); elevator (lift); eraser (rubber); Fall (autumn); favor (favour); Hood (bonnet); windshield (windscreen); pavement (tarmac, roadway); sidewalk (pavement); truck (lorry); a steal (noun - a bargain).

Aboriginal Australian

boomerang; kangaroo; koala. 

 Australian sheila 

 Arabic zenith ; zero. 

 Aramaic bar (son) Canadian..? 

 French cul-de-sac ; bizarre ; deja-vu; garage 

 Dutch yacht 

 German delicatessen, kindergarten. 

 Greek acropolis (top of hill, usually the building at the top); hippodrome. 

 Irish / Gaelic / Celtic

O (son of). 

 Hebrew

ben (son). 

 Hindi...? / Indian

 (Move to specific category after checking)bungalow ;jodhpur ; polo. 

 Italian 

mama mia ; piano ; tempo ; villa. 

 Japanese 

judo; karaoke. 

 Latin 

caster, chester (fort); sic (thus); veni, vidi, vici. (I came, I saw, I conquered, in Julius Caesar by Shakespeare).

 Hawaiian 

hula; ukelele. 

Maori

Kia Ora (hello, good health) 

 Native American 

papoose; squaw; wigwam; Winona (firstborn?) 

 New Zealand barbie; fair dinkum (true); pavlova. 

 Sanskrit.... 

 Scottish 

 bairn (child); bonnie (pretty); dram (drop); mac (son of); wee (small);ye (you). Singlishbungalow (what the English would call a detached house, could be two or more stories.) South African braai(barbecue) 

 Spanish 

sombrero 

 Swahili Safari 

 Urdu khaki 

 Yiddish bagel; chutzpah; nosh......................... Can anybody add more Americanisms? 

Also: Arabic, Canadian, Czech, Portuguese, a Scandinavian language, Bulgarian or Romanian or anything else? If I need to make any changes, let me know. I'm going to keep updating this, with your help.If you can add any words, or sources of such words, please keep sending them to me. Thanks.

Publishing Contracts and Lulu

I am busy trying to get out a book, eventually books, through Lulu.com
Does anybody know about this?I can't decide whether to use their ISBN number which is easier, or buy ten of my own which is cheaper.

Haven't yet worked out how to organise margins on books. Presume they then copy the format onto an ebook. But it all has to be camera ready and proof-read before you start.I suppose you just have to take it 'one step at a time'.

Then there's choosing a book title. I was up all night thinking up titles.

I am so near to going into print.I have ten books in print from way back but won't sign any new contracts because nowadays it's such a struggle to hold onto copyright as publishers want to grab all rights.

They also want you to sign an indemnity clause and I won't do that. If they are making all the money they should have insurance and take the financial risk. Not worth my while earning maybe £2000 or less and risking everything I own.

An agent said to me, 'It's not important - it's not likely you'll be sued.' I replied: 'In that case they can strike the clause out.'

At least I have my blogging friends. That is the joy of blogging here. I actually get to speak to readers and make friends.

Have you any experience of publishing or advice? A

Sex is a comedy

If there were, if there was a God, he's now gone into hiding, whilst secretly watching us, like somebody playing a practical joke. He must have had a great sense of humour when he thought up sex. When do we get an updated model? The whole process is basic slapstick, more slap and stick on this site than others, but still slapstick.

MEN
First there's the idea of giving every male a built-in sex toy, a Jack-in-a-box, which goes up and down whenever you want, sometimes, when you don't want. It operates of its own accord, and sometimes when you want sex, it sulks and goes to sleep. It comes with a handy self-lubricating system, and a self-cleaning system. However, it manages to dirty his underclothes, and her sheets, and, in the case of one president of the United States, her dress, and his reputation.

WOMEN
Then there's women. From the sublime to the ridiculous - I'm talking about the design. With men, what you see is what you get. With women what you don't see is what you don't get.The most nubile women are bleeding one week in four. And have headaches. Their breasts swell up inviting men to fondle when, as far as she is concerned, the breasts are too painful to be touched. Just when her body odours are signalling come and get me, she wants to stay home. Every dog and wild animal for miles gets interested in her, although she's not interested in them. The same goes for men.

THREESOMES
Twos company, threes a crowd, when it comes to pregnancy. As soon as a man gets interested enough to have sex and make a woman pregnant she has a big balloon in front to keep him away, and vomits all over him. Believe me, this is no fun for her either. I meant no fun in the simple sense, but in so far as fun is a euphemism or accurate description of sex, what I said is right. No fun.She also bleeds with threatened miscarriages.She wants bed rest but no sex.

Then, when you think it's all over, out pops a rival, screaming all night. Monopolising her breasts. Excreting all over the bed. Making horrible smells. Dribbling all over you. And even Dad at his most demanding doesn't fall ill that often, requiring loving attention day and night. To the exclusion of somebody who thought he was older and wiser. Dad mangaged to get a women into bed with three little words, 'How About It?' Until he got outsmarted by a blob which can't talk.

You are ultra-clean, constantly washing your hands. But your rival is born dirty, smelly, rude and self-centred. You don't realise how civilised you are until you breed something born without basic common sense.You may wear dirty clothes, sleep odd hours, want food in the middle of the night, and self-centredly demand constant attention from the opposite sex, whilst giving nothing in return. But however selfish you are, you are beaten by any baby.It never washes. It burps and farts. It urinates without bothering to look for a bathroom. It even plays with itself in public, in front of its parents and grandparents. It thinks it has a right to sex regardless of who's watching.

Why did you have it? Maybe the punishment fits the crime.It's punishment for your doing all those things. And punishment for not using contraception. Yup, it's a comedy. Why is granny looking so pleased? Because she's secretly thinking, I told you so.

Menopause
Just when she fails to turn heads at parties, and finds men are looking for young girls, younger women who look younger, younger women who are capable of bearing children, a post-menopausal woman becomes available four weeks out of four. She is no longer afraid of getting pregnant. Her hormones go into overdrive. She wants sex all the time. But no man wants her. Except for men twenty years older who are bald and have prostate problems and can't get it up. You must admit it's funny. You'd be crying all the time, like babies, if you couldn't laugh at yourself, and everybody else, and find it funny.

Blind Date With A Bearded Man - Or three

Three Beards 

I went to meet a blind date in Cafe Rouge. I was a bit worried about finding my date. He had asked if I like beards and I said no. I'd seen a programme on TV where they found millions of bacteria breeding in a beard. He said he had a beard. At this point we haven't yet met so we're both trying hard to please each other. 

He offered to shave off his beard. He could always grow it again. No trouble. 

 I said no need, he should wait until we'd met, because if I liked him apart from the beard, he could then shave it off. 

If I didn't like him anyway, he'd have shaved it off for nothing, keep it for a girl who likes beards. I might think a beard suited him. He said he'd keep it, but he'd think about it. He might shave it off. If he did at the last minute, he'd let me know. 

Cafe ROUGE

 So, I arrive at Cafe Rouge in the rain and a man is standing in the doorway blocking my way. Is he going to move aside? Middle aged. No beard.

No Beard

Did he shave it off? Is he my date? 

I stop and look at him. 

He looks back at me. 

 'Are you John?' I ask. 

 He looks wary. 

'What if I am?' he replies.

'If you're John, you want a date with me!' I reply. 

 The door opens behind him. A middle aged lady, wearing a mac, says to him,

 'I found my umbrella, John. Come along.' 

 As they walk away, she grabs his arm, looking at him accusingly. She demands suspiciously, 'Who was that you were talking to?' He replies indignantly, 

'Never seen her in my life before!' 

 Unnerved, I step into the restaurant. I look at the two girls behind the bar, as if they are going to point to my man. But it's no use asking them, because we don't have a table booked in the man's name so they can't find him for me. 

They just look back at me, suspiciously, having seen me chatting to the man in the doorway. 

They are wondering what I'm going to do next. 

The Young Bearded Man

 A young man with a beard is sitting by the door. Much younger than he said. Maybe he was lying. I'm in luck. He is reading a newspaper - probably provided by the Cafe to entertain people on their own, or waiting. 

He does not look up. 

 I am obviously not so stunningly beautiful as I thought I was. Although I have turned heads, it's only the heads of the girls behind the bar, not a single man. 

My potential date hasn't even noticed me. I'm in fishnet stockings and high heels with a fur collar. 

But he hasn't noticed. What's wrong with me? Too old for him? Must be the glasses. I look myopic. Old fashioned. People who wear long distance glasses are readers, swots, not fun girls. People who wear reading glasses are in their late forties - how aging. 

He's in his thirties. 

I remove my glasses. I approach him and cough. He looks up. I smile brightly. Since I'm not wearing my glasses I now can't see so well, so I peer at him. I lean closer to see better. 

He leans back.

I murmur, 'Have you been waiting long?' 

 He has no idea what I want. He's trying to figure this one out. He's not sure whether I'm the restaurant owner checking on the speed of service, or a call-girl. He looks round at the bar staff. 

 They are totally mesmerized by my antics - a woman in fishnet stockings approaching a customer who was leaving - and now a customer who is seated. 

I can imagine they are wondering, 'is she doing a consumer survey, collecting for charity, or selling something, maybe herself?'

 I cough. I walk towards the back of the restaurant. I trip over a chair leg. 

I could sit down and not order anything. They will not like that. 

Another Older Bearded Man

 I see another man with a beard. I approach him. He is much older than I thought. 

The Third Beard

And there's a third bearded man! Beards must be this year's thing. Maybe men with beards are always on their own. Maybe Cafe Rouge attracts men with beards. 

Which one is mine? I'll try the nearest first. Don't want him to see me walk past and go up to somebody else. So I stand and cough. 

The Nearest Beard

 He looks up. I cough again. 

 He looks hunted. He looks over at the bar staff. 

They must now be wondering whether they should come up and ask, 'Can I help you?', and subtly steer away this woman who is annoying their customers. 

 I quickly move on to man number three. I cough. He puts down his paper. 

He's the one. He tries to make conversation. 

But all the time I can see the bar staff watching me. They are not sure what I am up to, still wondering what I'm going to do next.

 Two Cafes 

My next date I want to try Caffe Uno for a change. I write Caffe Uno in my diary. My date agrees. 

But says he wants to try Cafe Rouge. 

I cross out Caffe Uno and write in Cafe Rouge. 

He says, 'If you really want Caffe Uno, we'll go there. 

I think, he might not turn up. I cross it out again and write dots under Cafe Rouge. 

I persuade him, 'Let's change.' 

 Anyway, I am sitting in Caffe Uno and he's late. 

Eventually I ring his mobile. I get engaged. 

Eventually I get through. He's been ringing my number getting engaged. 

He's in Cafe Rouge next door. 

Lessons Learned

What are the lessons learned? Nowadays I like to meet in a restaurant with a table booked in the man's name. I can take off my glasses and say to the Maitre d', 'So sorry I'm late - held up at work - I'm not wearing my glasses - where's Mr so and so sitting.' Problem solved. There's my gorgeous date. 

'Hello John!' I say - as if I'd known him all my life!

Dating Advice Should Prince Charming Offer Cinderella A Drink?

I admit I've watched programmes about escort girls and wondered if I could do that. I'd be guaranteed a meal and payment. But no, at heart I'm still a romantic, waiting for Prince Charming.

Would Prince Charming have offered Cinderella a drink, or cup of coffed?

Cinderella went to a ball, all dressed up and looking glamorous. If he'd simply invited her out for a cup of coffee, she could have gone in her old clothes and not troubled that busy fairy godmother for a lovely new gown.

Imagine if Cinderella had called her fairy godmother and said, 'I need a new dress. I'm going to meet a prince.'

Fairy grandmother would have said, 'Where are you going? Is it a palace?''

Er, no. Actually it's the pub round the corner, for a drink.'

She couldn't say that, because she was under age. Or the reader is.

She might have said, 'We're going out to get a cup of coffee for five minutes. He just wants to look at me and see 'if we get on'. '

Can you imagine what fairy Godmother would have said? 'Were you expect me to send a carriage for you? He'll think your being pretentious.'

I'm a romantic. I want a traditional date, in which the man drives over to the woman's area, takes her out for a meal and respects her and gains her confidence by treating her like a lady on their first date.

Note. It is usual for the gentleman to come to the lady's place to meet her.

First Date - Frantic

FIRST DATE 

You take a look at menus and decide what's within your budget, whilst pretending that you've chosen the place because you're in love with lettuce leaves or special of the day. 

 You claim you thought the atmosphere was your idea of perfection. You know, the cramped, noisy deli where you queued for ten minutes to get a table and can't hear yourself speak is 'cosy and fun'. 

Or the overpriced restaurant completely deserted despite the lunchtime special and the size of a gymnasium, is 'so private for an intimate tete a tete'. And the fact that there's not a single other customer means - 'such attentive service'. 

 You could shout into the phone, 'What colour tie you are wearing,' just so the waiter knows it's a blind date. 

Then I arrive and stare at the tie of some chap at the door, while you wave frantically from a corner at the back.

 I, having removed my glasses to look glamorous, merely stumble about short-sightedly and frown at your tie and muttering, 'Are you - um?' 

 Everybody stares wondering if I'm an amateur call girl meeting apprentice Mafia in B movie. 

After I've told I've got nothing to do until 5 pm, you get drunk and shout loudly, "Have you met any other chaps through this swinger's site?" 

I spot the parent of one of the children I taught last year, gulp down my espresso. I stand up to go, murmur something, to which you respond loudly, 'Nobody's listening.' 

By now the entire restaurant is listening. 

 But as my neighbour comes through the door, you shout, "Well, are you going to sleep with me or aren't you?"

I say no, loud enough for the neighbour to hear, remember an appointment and disappear. 

 You wonder why I seemed to think you were gorgeous at first and changed my mind and conclude I only came for a free meal because I rushed off. 

I wonder why you didn't ring again which puzzles me because I thought you were so keen. As you can see if you just act normally and discuss the latest films, the O level, Ordinary level meeting standard, has gone down this year, in fact whilst you may not get an A star, you can get an A simply by turning up on time, not talking when you shouldn't. If it's raining you might politely ask if I need a lift home or anywhere else. But only expect me to trust you if you trust me enough to show me some means of identity like a business card. Allow me to disappear to the ladies and phone somebody to say, 'I'm just getting in the car of so-and-so. There's no need to demand whether I took so long because I was flossing my teeth and gargling to remove the garlic or phoning somebody. Nowadays you get through the oral simply by making conversation about topics of the day, such as plays, films, travel. You will pass if you avoid obvious failures in grammar and pronunciation (don't say 'innit', or 'dunno' or even 'yeah, yeah'. Do not keep saying, 'er, um, you know, know what I mean'. If you discuss the news, don't sound like a meeting of depressives anonymous. Try to find some happy ending. If you do find you've spent ten minutes saying transport is a disaster, the government is incompetent, business is run badly, terrorists are taking over, murderers are out of prison and on the run, and people you meet on dating sites are all losers and maniacs, at least recover optimism and goodwill by ending with, 'That's why it's such a refreshing change to meet somebody delightful like you!' 

 Don't do all the talking. Stop every three sentences.

 Don't do all the listening. Nod and agree and open your mouth ready to speak when there's a pause. You might subtly flatter the examiner, then if encouraged with a smile unsubtly flatter the examiner - but do not make a pass at them at the end of the meal. And certainly not before they have ordered the soup. 

Nor whilst they are swallowing coffee. They might choke. 

 Pretend to be thrilled to bits with the food and the service. Unless something is wrong enough to be worth changing. If so, fix it.

 Who's running this date, you, a smart guy with a girlfriend, or some half-witted, foreign, solo waiter? Are you, the paying customer, less confident than an underpaid waiter? Are two of us going to be bamboozled by one of him? 

Are you a submissive looking for a dominatrix to rescue you, in which case she'll probably boss you about until she turns professional and expects to be paid. Or are you the knight who rescues damsels in distress, the hero who gets the girl? 

If you are interested, make another date. Don't ask her to ring you. She's read all the American dating advice books which tell her she must always wait for the man to phone her.

Photos revealing truths and lies

THE DOG
I wondered how to tell a man hugging his beloved huge dog that I was, to put it politely, not a pet person. Last time I decided not to reply to a man who was hidden behind a dog, which was guarding him against intruders.

This time I managed to devise a reply which was jokey:

Me: I notice that you are hiding behind a large dog almost as tall as you are. I am petite and not interested in any kind of threesome, certainly not sharing a bed with a dog that size. Or any size.

Him: That is not my dog. It's a neighbour's dog. I was just taking it for a walk when they were on holiday. I have no pets. I would love to meet you.***

Me: If you show yourself hugging a dog, I might reasonably assume that you are a dog-lover and that the pet is yours. And if you are cuddling a cat, I would assume that you like cats and own one, not that you have picked up a passing cat to decorate the photograph, using moggie merely as a fig leaf. I do admit that if I put up a picture of myself riding a camel in the desert, I would expect you to assume that I was on holiday. And not afraid of heights. I would not expect you to think that my second second home was a tent, nor that I drove a small dromedary. But that is because I give my address as a busy city, where the only camel is parked in the local zoo. *** On the other hand somebody found my second entry on this site.

Him: I have found a second entry for you. It would appear that since you arranged to meet me, you have abandoned your religion to become an atheist.

Improving Your Photography - For Flattering Edited Photos, Profile Pictures and Selfies

Dear Friends

One of my correspondents has sent me two photos. He looks very different in the two photos, the bow tie pic being the best.

The latest one is rather off-putting and you would not think it was the same person. I suspect that the first one was taken from one to five years ago at a wedding or 50th birthday party. On these occasions it is natural to smile, especially if a professional photographer uses their skill in saying smile please, waving a puppet or taking several snaps. 

Maybe my correspondent chose this picture simply because he had it handy in a frame on his desk. 

The other recent picture he sent is up-to-date. It might have been taken by a passer-by or amateur photographer not familiar with the subject's camera. Or he could have set it to take automatically. Not knowing when it would take, he stood looking worried, instead of standing with a fixed grin.

One problem is that when you pose for strangers you look anxious. Especially when muttering instruction telling somebody else how to operate the camera. You smile only after the picture is taken. 

Let's go back to my friend, at least he might be a friend. 

What's the difference between his two photos?

1 Picture one has the subject facing the camera and viewer.

2 Picture one is smiling.

3 Picture one dressed smarter, tuxedo and bow tie. Picture two is an outdoors on a boat, a sporty scene with sou'wester and cap.

4 Picture one happier.

5 Picture one younger, partly because a smile gives a face-lift.

6 Picture one is face on, looks less hunched.The bow tie picture suggested to me that he was debonair, rich, and cultured, outgoing, chatty. More my type. 

The next picture suggests that he is sporty, walking through the woods but not saying much. Not my type.

If a man shows a picture like the second picture I described, I suggest he revises the second picture, smiling at the camera. Or takes another more like the first, but more recent?

I'm amazed at the number of people who like to present themselves as glum, surly, or evasive (looking out of the picture).

Clutter

A lot of men think they look good on an unmade bed or in an untidy kitchen or bathroom. If you are going to sit on a sofa, sit up straight. Stand straight too. Some are standing diagonally as if they will slip down a plughole to the left.

Naked On Chair 

If you want to hide, hide amusingly. My favourite pose was the man who seems to be naked but is sitting the wrong way round on a dining chair so you don't see anything except his broad shoulders and legs. Very erotic. Stylish. You imagine that everything he does is done with equal care for effect.

Nearly Nude - Nude But Not Rude

You can be nearly nude on a beach. Standing in the water showing your top half. Sitting or lying under a towel. Lying on your front with only top half showing. Buried in sand with shoulders showing. Looking out from behind a surf board.

Back to the photos.

Dogs

Don't sit hidden behind a large dog. 

Clutter

Remove all distracting bits and pieces. Your camera case or handbag should not be half in the picture, half out of it, unless you have a very attractive bag and want to show it.

Level

Keep horizontals horizontal. If you can crop the picture on your little magic computer screen, do so. If you have a camera phone and can play back the picture immediately, look at it critically. Take another picture, or two, to be on the safe side and so you later have a choice. Make the second picture landscape view. Cut out trees growing out of your head and anything confusing your silhouette or making the picture dark and blotchy. 

Natural Frame

Frame the picture with a sideways or overhead arch. Stand in a doorway. Or move towards and away from a tree until it makes a t-shape around you.Poses can be interesting too. Slouching. Aggressive. Sultry. Sexy. Coy. Casual. Debonair. 

Props

A prop should say something about you. Tennis racket or golf club - sporty. Music CDs and rows of books - academic, educated or cultured. 

Clothes

So should the clothes. Jeans or shorts, casual. Suit and bow tie - smart, show-off.Bloggers' pictures generally look far more attractive than the average. 

Back View

Ladies are more inventive when it comes to looking erotic and hiding most of themselves. Some show only back view in a bikini. Or just the back of their head with long hair cascading down their back. 

Personal - Feet & Flowers

Shylena shows shoes, on her feet, on a windowsill, with a background of plant life. Or bare feet - amid flowers.Hidden FaceTo hide your identity, whilst showing part of your face, you have many options. Dark glasses. A hat with a brim. Your hand over your face will show your hands as well, so a girl might show her nails whilst hiding her nose and mouth.

Eyes Only

One blogger is looking up at the viewer, with her glasses down her nose, in half-undressed, suggestive fashion. Her eyes look fetchingly over the top.

Frame

Another blogger has used a diamond shape frame to make her portrait different.

Hiding

You can hide yourself in all sorts of ways: peeping around a door; looking over a newspaper; over a book; drinking a cup of coffee; holding a microphone over your mouth.

Mirror

I've tried photographing myself in a mirror. It's hard to position yourself so that you don't get the camera covering your face. You also get flash in the mirror.I must admit I've spent a lot of time trying to take good photos. 

Help Wanted 

Have you seen any really bad or good pictures? Or learned any tips about composing, photographing or cropping pictures?Your comments welcome.

Polyglot Dictionary of Etymology

The Concise Oxford Dictionary will tell you the origins of words. So does Wikipedia.

Concise Oxford Dictionary from Amazon.

Dear Friends 

I started making a list of words which were different in the English and American dictionary to help my pupils. I also started listing French loan words. Then I expanded my word collection to include other languages. 

French 

The French are fighting franglais words such as Le Weekend. I took words which we use in English, and words which are common in English-speaking countries.My results are shown below, with the first of alternative names listed for speed in locating nationality.British English is in brackets: 

 American 

bathrobe (dressing gown)call (phone, ring)closet (wardrobe - usually freestanding, walk-in wardrobe, dressing area) color (colour)diapers (nappies)downtown (city centre, in London 'the west end')drop in (call in)eraser (rubber)fall (autumn)favor (favour)fender (mudguard)figure out (guess)flashlight (torch)freeway (motorway)french fries (chips)garbage (rubbish)garbage can (rubbish bin, wastepaper bin)guess (imagine)hood (bonnet)jello (jelly)jelly (jam)john (bog, loo)math (maths)movie (film)outage (power cut)pacifier (dummy)pants (trousers)pavement (tarmac, roadway)pot luck supper (bring a dish)potato chips (crisps)purse (handbag)rest room (toilet)rollercoaster (big dipper)rookie (amateur, apprentice, junior, novice)sassy (cheeky)sidewalk (pavement)shopping cart (trolley)stroller (buggy, pram)take out (take away)throw up (be sick)trunk (boot)underpants (pants)vacation (holiday)washcloth (face flannel,flannel)windshield (windscreen)

What's the American for helter skelter?American - Native American /American Indian dakota (Name of US state from Sioux for friend) papoose paw paw pow wow squaw totem wigwam Winona Sioux for first-born daughter Australian sheila (girl, woman) 

 Arabic 

harem halal zero 

 Aramaic bar (son)

 Canada 

Canada's TV network devoted to aboriginal people is called "APTN" or Aboriginal People's Television Network and this channel may be available on your cable or satellite provider. Caribbean Hurricane Celtic ben (mountain) Chinese cha (tea) tofu Dutch yacht Eskimo / Inuit anorak French ballet bon appetit cliche cul-de-sac bizarre deja-vu garage genre Leroy (king) maisonette marionette RSVP silhouette German automobile delicatessen ersatz gesundheit kindergarten Greek acropolis hippodrome Haiti Barbecue Hebrew ben (son) Ben is son. So Reu-ben is see a son. Ben-jamin is son of my right hand.You find these explanations in microscopic print the footnotes at the bottom of the page in some bibles. Jo-el is a name combining the two old words for God. Hindi...Indian(Move to specific category after checking)bungalow jodhpur polo Irish / Gaelic / Celtic A correspondent writes: Believe it or not, Brendan means "smelly hair". I don't believe it because my dictionaries of names give Brendan as living by a beacon or firelight; Irish for little raven; or Irish Gaelic probably from Welsh for prince; Old Norse for sword. Brenda means the same. Caitlin Gaelic form of Catherine from Greek for pure"Colleen" means "young lady". Mac and Mc always mean "son of"O (son of) fitz (son of) Inuit (see Eskimo) Italian mama mia piano tempo villa Japanese bonsai judo karaoke karate Korean Taekwondo Latin sic; veni, vidi, vici. Victor, Victoria meaning victory. 

 Maori/NZ 

kia ora hello New Zealand barbie (barbecue) dunny (toilet) gumboot (UK Wellingtons) sneaker (US trainers also now used in UK; trainers in UK replacing plimsolls, tennis shoes) your shout (UK your round) 

 Russian 

sputnik 

 Sanskrit guru (teacher) mantra 

 Scottish 

bairn dram mac / mc (son on) wee 

 Singlish 

Flat - basic flat apartment - classy flat condo - has facilities in complex such as swimming pool and gym 

 South African 

apartheid commando trek 

 Spanish adios manana sombrero Swahili Safari Urdu (Many words of Urdu origin are also Hindi and Sanskrit)... Yiddish bagel, chutzpah, kosher. Booklist: Concise Oxford Dictionary (gives origins of words) Dictionaries of baby name and family names e.g. An A-Z of baby names published by Igloo; Babies' Names by Noam Friedlander published by Paragon Books; The Wordsworth Dictionary of First Names; Baby's Names by Jenny Saville published by Ward Lock; The Penguin Dictionary of Surnames by Basil Cottle. Internet sources: Type in the word dictionary and any language. Your suggestions welcome......................... If you can add any words, or sources of such words, please keep sending them to me. Also any corrections, please tell me. Thanks.

Names - From Arabic to Yiddish

Dear Friends
    Have you ever met or read about anybody called Adam or Eve, seen a Samsonite suitcase, met a woman called Ruth, Miriam or Elizabeth. I bet you have. What about a man called Ben, Joel, Moses, Mo, Reuben, Sol, Solly or Soloman - as a first or last name? I bet you know some. Dozens of your friends and family and favourite film stars have names which come from the bible, even if neither you nor they realize it. 

Biblical Names

Ben is son. 

Jo is God. El is God. 

The book of Joel:

These names come from the English, translated from Latin, translated from Greek, translated from the Hebrew bible. That was, when Hebrew was the grand language, and Aramaic was the old previous, everyday language, the origin of many words we associate with modern Hebrew and modern Arabic and modern English.

Arabic
   Taking variations alphabetically, Arabic names may sound foreign to those of us attuned to traditional English names, but many unfamiliar words are actually variations on the familiar.For example, Yusuf and Joseph. David is Dawood.

Yiddish
   Yiddish names are often Germanic in origin, occasionally Russian or Ukrainian. So Moishe is Moses. Some of you New Yorkers and others scattered around the globe, maybe even some Israelis, must be able to tell me a few Aramaic, Hebrew and Yiddish words and names with translations and suggest some sources. Thanks

    I know a few: Jo-el is a name combining the two old words for God.  Ben is son.  So Reu-ben is see a son. Ben jamin is son of my right hand.
   You find these explanations in the footnotes at the bottom of the page in some bibles.
    If you know any more, or if you have any questions, please write to me. I have several books of baby names and surnames and place names in all languages from African to Yiddish.

Languages

(Under construction - check back for updates - please add any research, ideas or questions of your own) 

 Dear Friends Here are some names in foreign Languages - handy when choosing baby names, nicknames, pen names, characters for your novel, whatever. American / Native AmericanWayneWinona (Sioux for first-born daughter) Arabic and MoslemAbdullah - servant of AllahAli (Arabic for the God - as in Allah, which is similar to El)Jamillah - beautiful or elegantMo short for MohammedAramaicTabitha (gazelle) AustralianEnglishCharles, Charlie, Carl (man)Chelsea (area of London, England; US President's daughter's name)Wendy - name invented by James Barrie for Peter PanFrenchMarie (usually given as the first name with a second name hyphenated)Sheree (from cherie dear or darling; wife of UK's PM Blair) GermanTrudy (strength) GreekMelissa (bee)Peter (rock)Sonya (wisdom)Zoe and Zola (life) HebrewEl and Ja or Jo are words for God.Aaron (Mountaineer, lofty or inspired; derivatives include Arek, Haroun, and short forms Arni and Ronnie; brother of Moses in bible; Aaron Copland US composer).Adam (earth or red earth)Gabriel (also Gabriella, Gabby, Gabor - A man of God)Emmanuel (God is with us)Ira (watchful)Joel Irish Irish CatholicMary (mother of Jesus)Irish GaelicSheilaIrish ProtestantElizabeth (Queen Elizabeth) LatinGrace (thanks)Poppy (the flower poppy)Victor, Victoria (victory - Queen Victoria) Russian ScandinavianGarth (Norse garden or enclosed space; Garth Brooks, singer) ScottishAlastairJapaneseNames ending in O are feminine)AkikoNorikoWelshEnid (life or soul - Enid Blyton, writer) YiddishMoishe (Moses)Sources to consult: BOOKS Pocket reference book Babies' Names Baby's Names by Jenny Saville Ward Lock Ltd Wordsworth Dictionary of First Names INTERNET Numerous sites. Type in names or baby names or the language. PLEASE ADD NAMES OF YOUR FAMILY FRIENDS & FAVOURITES IF YOU KNOW THE MEANING OR WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IT

Food and Fitness

Food and Fitness

A doctor tells me not to diet.  Just to get more exercise. 

I had a phone call from a man, 'Peter', who was a good listener, very soothing. Nice to speak to somebody who doesn't have any problems. 

My other phone friends have included: the recently widowed, people whose spouses were dying, those who had lost body parts in bombs, people who lost body parts to surgery, parents of young children with handicaps, parents of teenagers who had problems with drink or drugs ... 

 Peter heard my current solvable weight problem. 

And as usual once you are willing to face the problem and talk about it the answer is clear. The reason for that is that when you state the problem clearly, the answer is revealed. It is always plain to the outside listener. Sometimes it is obvious to you who are stating the problem, because the answer is part of the statement of the problem. Having somebody non-judgmental listening enables you to express the problem without feeling guilty. So you are over the first hurdle, facing the problem. You start being matter-of-fact, like the GP, who needs only five minutes to hear you state the problem and tell you that there are two possible answers, do nothing or take action.

The solution is so simple, you wonder why you could not see the solution and take action earlier. 

 I told Peter: 'I used to lead an ex-pat lifestyle, well-paid husband constantly overseas, leaving wife with no work permit in a condo with a swimming pool and country club membership. So my lifestyle was lots of swimming and lots of eating alternating. Now I'm into lots of eating, but no swimming - food without exercise.' 

USA

 In America I lived in an apartment near Washington DC where I lived in a condo with a swimming pool. 

At restaurants if the food on the table was too much, the staff wrapped it up to go. 

 Singapore

Later I went to the Far East and had use of two swimming pools.

My ex-pat lifestyle was swimming in the condo pool in the morning, lunch with ladies, shop or play bridge or go to a book group (until I found out that English teachers can get work permits). Then early evening swim at country or town club pool followed by three course dinner with wines in five star hotel with men talking business and ladies don't interrupt.

 Sounds glamorous. It was - but only after the first year.

During the first year I cried and slept most afternoons because my family and friends were the other side of the world. Whenever I met potential new friends, I could only moan about how miserable I was. 

Then, just when I got used to the good life and started to enjoy it and made new friends, the old folk in the family back home fell ill and needed attention. 

The neglected offspring at boarding school were losing exam edge. I went home to the family and I'm glad I did. 

However, this regime's effect on my figure has been to turn me into a Titian model. Now I've got the habit of wanting to wear my silk clothes for five star hotel meals, but no swimming. So I'm not keeping fit, keeping fat. It has not affected my social life, just meant that I have to meet people who are less fussy and fitness-conscious. 

 But, having watched some health programmes on TV, I'm shaken by the risks I'm taking by storing too much fat. 

Diabetes. Heart. Liver. None of it looks good. 

 So, what I need is a friend who is fit and fun and upbeat, but not going to run away from me because I'm not lithe and supple. Ideally a member of a club. Failing that, simply willing to go to the nearest leisure centre pool. Hm ...

 PS The alternative is the Jacuzzi, designed for people who sit around all day and cannot move a muscle. I've had emails from members of the opposite sex asking: 'What can I do to stand out from the crowd?'

'I've had loads of offers of dinners, but not many suggesting swimming in winter. I feel like a swim - or Jacuzzi. Seeing a leisure centre would make a pleasant change from watching the news on TV whilst running on my step machine. Exercise also reduces stress and increases happiness. 

 PPS Going swimming is a great way to see somebody else's figure and display your own without anyone getting amorous. A little bit of tantalizing look but don't touch feeds the fantasy.

About the Author

Angela Lansbury teacher of English (advanced and English as a Second Language or English as a Foreign Language, French and other languages, aspiring polyglot.

Angela Lansbury, travel writer and photographer, author and speaker. Member of many toastmasters  speaker training clubs and speaking contest judge.

Angela Lansbury, the author of 20 books, including Wedding Speeches & Toasts, and Quick Quotations, has lived in the USA, Spain and Singapore. 

She  has several blogs and writes daily on at least two of the following:

travelwithangelalansbury.blogspot.com

dressofthedayangela.blogspot.com

translateforfun.blogspot.com

 Please share links to your favourite posts.

Nudists and Peacocks

People fall into two categories when it comes to style of dress, nudists and peacocks. 

Nudists

 Nudists like to take off clothes. They like bare bodies. 

Some people like to display themselves nude. They want to see others nude.

Peacocks

 Peacocks like to put on clothes. You can see this on dating sites.  Others think that wearing clothes creates more excitement. Societies at different places and times promote these two extremes. Obviously there are no nudist beaches in Saudi Arabia.

About the Author

Angela Lansbury teacher of English (advanced and English as a Second Language or English as a Foreign Language, French and other languages, aspiring polyglot.

Angela Lansbury, travel writer and photographer, author and speaker. Member of many toastmasters  speaker training clubs and speaking contest judge.

Angela Lansbury, the author of 20 books including Wedding Speeches & Toasts, and Quick Quotations, has lived in the USA, Spain and Singapore. 

She  has several blogs and writes daily on at least two of the following:

travelwithangelalansbury.blogspot.com

dressofthedayangela.blogspot.com

translateforfun.blogspot.com

 Please share links to your favourite posts.