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How Can One be Many? Posted by Gary Locke on Jul 26, 2018
In English, some nouns can be both singular and plural. Yes, I know, that sounds like an impossible contradiction. But, this is English after all, and English is full of such maddening things. In fact, to add to the confusion there are several types of these nouns! There are irregular, non-changing nouns, which have the…
The American Ghost Town Posted by Gary Locke on Jul 19, 2018
Did you know that, in the US, it is possible to buy an entire town? Recently, two friends managed to do just that. For $1.4 million, they purchased Cerro Gordo, California. It consists of 300 acres, abandoned homes, a saloon, a two-story hotel, a general store, a museum, an eight-bedroom bunkhouse, a church which also…
Up and Out on a Date in English Posted by Gary Locke on Jul 12, 2018
As regular readers of this blog know, the English language is full of confusing expressions and terminology which make life difficult for learners. Even native speakers can be excused for shaking their heads in bewilderment sometimes during a simple conversation. I heard a brief exchange between two people the other day which made me wonder…
The Vending Machine Vocabulary Posted by Gary Locke on Jul 6, 2018
Ah, the vending machine! Let us sing the praises of this staple of the office lunchroom, lobby, or dining hall. They may dispense snacks, cold drinks, hot drinks, frozen food, healthy treats, sandwiches, or candy. In the United States, you will also find vending machines in hotels and motels, laundromats, schools, cinemas, hospitals and clinics…
English Jokes and Idioms for Summer Posted by Gary Locke on Jun 28, 2018
It’s so hot, I saw a dog chasing a cat and they were both walking! There are so many wonderful things about summer that we often ignore the one inescapable downside to this season – It’s hot! Or, at least we ignore it until we no longer can. Then, when the sweltering sun and oppressive…
Why Do Americans Call Football Soccer? Posted by Gary Locke on Jun 21, 2018
A tournament doesn’t get to be called The World Cup if it’s only played in a handful of countries. We call it the World Cup because it is played all over the world. And the sport is known by the same name everywhere. Well, almost. While the rest of the world calls the classic round-ball…
Mom and Pop Stores Posted by Gary Locke on Jun 14, 2018
At the heart of the American community is what we affectionately call the mom and pop shop. It could be a small grocery store, or a bakery, or a gas station. It is a family-owned and operated business servicing the local area, often for generations. In many cases, when the business began the family lived…