Neil Watson -YOUR English Coach

Neil Watson -YOUR English Coach English Language Conversation and Communication programmes to boost confidence, success and message Online or personal coaching offered/provided

I love it when you can understand simple language in a different way 😂😂😉
11/11/2022

I love it when you can understand simple language in a different way 😂😂😉

Given the current situation in the UK and the fact that we are very close to a particular date in the calendar - this is...
22/10/2022

Given the current situation in the UK and the fact that we are very close to a particular date in the calendar - this is very funny 😂😂😂

A bit of fun for the day 😂😂 This breed is probably found in most politicians' families but should definitely be found in...
14/10/2022

A bit of fun for the day 😂😂 This breed is probably found in most politicians' families but should definitely be found in the current Tory Cabinet 🙃😉

It is said that English is a very easy language to learn. In my experience of learning different languages, I can agree ...
02/10/2022

It is said that English is a very easy language to learn. In my experience of learning different languages, I can agree with this sentiment. I would add, however that it can be very easily be misread and misheard with often amusing consequences. 😂😂😂

25/08/2022

Now comes the fun part of the "Idioms" posts. I challenge followers to a small competition of filling in the answers to the questions below. I hope you have fun and a few smiles with the challenge. I will post answers on Friday 2nd September.
If you want to fill the answers in electronically - let me know your email address and I will send you a Word document version. 👍😉

Challenge:-

Here are 20 English idioms that are in common use:
1. Under the weather
What does it mean?
How do you use it?
Does your native language have an equivalent? Translate it to English and see how funny it sounds outside of its original context.
2. The ball is in your court
What does it mean?
How do you use it?
Does your native language have an equivalent? Translate it to English and see how funny it sounds outside of its original context.
3. Spill the beans
What does it mean?
How do you use it?
Does your native language have an equivalent? Translate it to English and see how funny it sounds outside of its original context.
4. Break a leg
What does it mean?
How do you use it?
Does your native language have an equivalent? Translate it to English and see how funny it sounds outside of its original context.
5. Pull someone’s leg
What does it mean?
How do you use it?
Does your native language have an equivalent? Translate it to English and see how funny it sounds outside of its original context.
6. Sat on the fence
What does it mean?
How do you use it?
Does your native language have an equivalent? Translate it to English and see how funny it sounds outside of its original context.
7. Through thick and thin
What does it mean?
How do you use it?
Does your native language have an equivalent? Translate it to English and see how funny it sounds outside of its original context.
8. Once in a blue moon
What does it mean?
How do you use it?
Does your native language have an equivalent? Translate it to English and see how funny it sounds outside of its original context.
9. It’s the best thing since sliced bread
What does it mean?
How do you use it?
Does your native language have an equivalent? Translate it to English and see how funny it sounds outside of its original context.
10. Take it with a pinch of salt
What does it mean?
How do you use it?
Does your native language have an equivalent? Translate it to English and see how funny it sounds outside of its original context.
11. Come rain or shine
What does it mean?
How do you use it?
Does your native language have an equivalent? Translate it to English and see how funny it sounds outside of its original context.
12. Go down in flames
What does it mean
How do you use it?
Does your native language have an equivalent? Translate it to English and see how funny it sounds outside of its original context.
13. You can say that again
What does it mean?
How do you use it?
Does your native language have an equivalent? Translate it to English and see how funny it sounds outside of its original context.
14. See eye to eye
What does it mean?
How do you use it?
Does your native language have an equivalent? Translate it to English and see how funny it sounds outside of its original context.
15. Jump on the bandwagon
What does it mean?
How do you use it?
Does your native language have an equivalent? Translate it to English and see how funny it sounds outside of its original context.
16. As right as rain
What does it mean?
How do you use it?
Does your native language have an equivalent? Translate it to English and see how funny it sounds outside of its original context.
17. Beat around the bush
What does it mean?
How do you use it?
Does your native language have an equivalent? Translate it to English and see how funny it sounds outside of its original context.
18. Hit the sack
What does it mean?
How do you use it?
Does your native language have an equivalent? Translate it to English and see how funny it sounds outside of its original context.
19. Miss the boat
What does it mean?
How do you use it?
Does your native language have an equivalent? Translate it to English and see how funny it sounds outside of its original context.
20. By the skin of your teeth
What does it mean?
How do you use it?
Does your native language have an equivalent? Translate it to English and see how funny it sounds outside of its original context.

25/08/2022

Continuing the theme of idioms etc, I thought I would add the definition used for the following to help you understand the background to how they occur and why they cannot be 'taught' - merely absorbed as your practical use of English grows:-
Idiom
An idiom is a phrase or expression that typically presents a figurative, non-literal meaning attached to the phrase; but some phrases become figurative idioms while retaining the literal meaning of the phrase. An idiom's figurative meaning is different from the literal meaning. Idioms occur frequently in all languages; in English alone there are an estimated twenty-five million idiomatic expressions.
Colloquialism
Colloquialism or colloquial language is the linguistic style used for casual (informal) communication. It is the most common functional style of speech, the idiom normally employed in conversation and other informal contexts. Colloquialism is characterized by wide usage of interjections and other expressive devices; it makes use of non-specialist terminology, and has a rapidly changing lexicon. It can also be distinguished by its usage of formulations with incomplete logical and syntactic ordering.
Colloquialisms are distinct from slang or jargon. Slang refers to words used only by specific social groups, such as demographics based on region, age, or socio-economic identity. In contrast, jargon is most commonly used within specific occupations, industries, activities, or areas of interest. Colloquial language includes slang, along with abbreviations, contractions, idioms, turns-of-phrase, and other informal words and phrases known to most native speakers of a language or dialect.
Jargon is terminology that is explicitly defined in relationship to a specific activity, profession, or group. The term refers to the language used by people who work in a particular area or who have a common interest. Similar to slang, it is shorthand used to express ideas, people, and things that are frequently discussed between members of a group. Unlike slang, it is often developed deliberately. While a standard term may be given a more precise or unique usage amongst practitioners of relevant disciplines, it is often reported that jargon is a barrier to communication for those people unfamiliar with the respective field.
Euphemism
A euphemism is an innocuous word or expression used in place of one that is deemed offensive or suggests something unpleasant. Some euphemisms are intended to amuse, while others use bland, inoffensive terms for concepts that the user wishes to downplay. Euphemisms may be used to mask profanity or refer to topics some consider taboo such as disability, s*x, excretion, or death in a polite way.
Reasons for using euphemisms vary by context and intent. Commonly, euphemisms are used to avoid directly addressing subjects that might be deemed negative or embarrassing, e.g. death, s*x, excretory bodily functions. They may be created for innocent, well-intentioned purposes or nefariously and cynically, intentionally to deceive and confuse.

25/08/2022

Over the past few months in my voluntary work with Ukrainian refugees, we have discussed Idioms and similar phrases because many of them have asked how to learn them. The plain truth is you can't. They are not taught in text books apart from a few of the most common which are used as an example in the learning of grammar. The funniest part about idioms is when you translate them to your own language they make no sense and can be very funny. English is believed to have the most idioms, closely followed by French. In the English language, it is estimated that there are over 25,000. When you consider the next statement, you will realise how difficult English idioms can be for a non-native speaker:- "According to lexicographer and dictionary expert Susie Dent, “the average active vocabulary of an adult English speaker is around 20,000 words, while his passive vocabulary is around 40,000 words.” Add that to 25,000 idioms 😂😂

OK - yes pinched from someone else - but ain't this just so true of many countries 🤨🤨
13/08/2022

OK - yes pinched from someone else - but ain't this just so true of many countries 🤨🤨

I absolutely love The Far Side, although I don't find all funny. Those playing on words, lyrics, language though will al...
02/08/2022

I absolutely love The Far Side, although I don't find all funny. Those playing on words, lyrics, language though will always make me laugh. If you are a fan of RocknRoll and the legend - Fats Domino, then this should make you chuckle 😂😂😂👍

Can't recall that in the dictionary but it is accurate 😂👍
31/07/2022

Can't recall that in the dictionary but it is accurate 😂👍

Can't resist sharing this one 😂😂😂
31/07/2022

Can't resist sharing this one 😂😂😂

Not really a proofreading error - certainly a design error though 😂😂😂
31/07/2022

Not really a proofreading error - certainly a design error though 😂😂😂

As quite often I am indebted to a 'friend' for this post. Proofreading really is a must as your sign can turn out to be ...
25/07/2022

As quite often I am indebted to a 'friend' for this post. Proofreading really is a must as your sign can turn out to be hilariously funny but wrong 😂😂😂😂

With advancing age and the heat not helping anyone sleep well - I think that I should put something similar on my wall 😂...
21/07/2022

With advancing age and the heat not helping anyone sleep well - I think that I should put something similar on my wall 😂😂😉

In recent English coaching sessions, I had been asked about the use of Acronyms within the English language. That same w...
20/07/2022

In recent English coaching sessions, I had been asked about the use of Acronyms within the English language. That same week, I came across a post in one of the Facebook 'communities' (old word 'Group') that I have joined and decided I would share the meaning/definition of Acronym and a photo of a Hungarian shop name where, I would guess, the owner is obviously unaware of the 'initialism' for its name in the English speaking world 😂😂😂 Unfortunate choice in my view 😉

I just love this one - it is so true 😂😂😂
20/07/2022

I just love this one - it is so true 😂😂😂

When coaching English, I encourage people not to translate words but to use www.thesaurus.com to find the meaning of an ...
20/07/2022

When coaching English, I encourage people not to translate words but to use www.thesaurus.com to find the meaning of an English word in English or synonyms for that word. Recently I have found that I am also referring to www.urbandictionary.com as I am coming across more 'modern' usage of certain words or even new words themselves. I am not a particular fan of the small 'travel phrase books' although than can be useful for beginners in a language. Because of all this I just find the attached cartoon very funny 😂😂😂

I know that I 'pinch' stuff from other people's posts - this one I could not resist 'pinching' and sharing onwards 🤣😂😂😂
19/07/2022

I know that I 'pinch' stuff from other people's posts - this one I could not resist 'pinching' and sharing onwards 🤣😂😂😂

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