Can you believe these stupid emergency calls?? Some people have too much time on their hands.
You may listen to it as well here.
Source: HotEnglish Magazine
August 31, 2014
Emergency calls
Hi,
Can you believe these stupid emergency calls?? Some people have too much time on their hands.
You may listen to it as well here.
Source: HotEnglish Magazine
Can you believe these stupid emergency calls?? Some people have too much time on their hands.
You may listen to it as well here.
Source: HotEnglish Magazine
August 28, 2014
Why Waiting Actually Makes You Happy
@mandyoaklander
We already know that experiences make you way happier than things do. Studies have shown that spending money on experiences as opposed to goods is more meaningful, makes you less likely to compare yourself to others, and encourages more social engagement. (Vacations trump solo shopping sprees, in other words.) You get those same pleasurable effects long before you even make the purchase and now, researchers have found, waiting to buy those experiences is a lot more fun, too.
One study asked college students to think about a purchase they were going to make in their near future, whether material or experiential, and report how they felt while waiting. People were more excited when waiting to buy an experience—and more impatient when waiting to buy something material.
The next study pinged more than 2,000 people enrolled in the scientific project trackyourhappiness.org throughout the day on their smartphones, asking how happy they were feeling at that moment. Of those daydreaming about a purchase they would soon make, experience-buyers won again in the happiness department.
In the final two studies, researchers scoured newspaper articles about people waiting in long lines and found that people queuing up for an experience, like buying concert tickets or delicious food, were better behaved than those waiting to buy stuff, like gadgets. And when people were asked to reminisce about times they’ve waited in line, they rated experiential waits as more pleasant.
It’s a little counterintuitive why experiences make us happier. After all, you’ll have a material purchase far longer than you’ll actually be on vacation. “The irony is that although this is true in a material sense, it is not true psychologically,” the study authors write–we’re far too good at adapting, which dulls our appreciation for the material objects that surround us every day. So reconsider that fancy TV and take a trip instead. Just make sure to give yourself enough time to savor the wait until takeoff.
Source: Time Magazine
August 26, 2014
Become more valuable at work
Hope you like these tips and pointers from expert Sally Hogshead who shares how to stand out at work by playing up your natural strengths.
August 24, 2014
Hand-me-up
hand-me-up. Noun [countable]
Something that a younger person gives to an older person because they no longer use it or they have something better to replace it.
hand-me-up, adjective
hand-me-up, verb [transitive]
'And more and more older users are joining the throng as PC prices fall and adult children give “hand-me-up” computers to mom and dad.' BusinessWeek 9th July 1998
'My driver is a hand-me-up from my son but it's still young, maybe 5 years old.'
Golfweb.com 26th February 2001
There is evidence for use of the term hand-me-up as far back as the 1980s, where it was originally associated with the idea of passing on articles of clothing from children to their parents or older members of their family. Just as younger children conventionally suffer the sometimes humiliating experience of wearing the hand-me-down clothes of their older siblings, often as an economy, in the same way parents have been incorporating their children's clothes into their wardrobe to compensate for the wasteful habits of fashion-conscious teenagers.
Current use of the term hand-me-up is not restricted to items of clothing however. In the context of the transient technological development of the last decade, where devices are continuously being re-cast with enhanced capacity and design, the idea of a hand-me-up has gained considerable ground. The mobile phone boom has been a major contributor to the hand-me-up phenomenon – parents are often the recipients of their children's cast-off phones, and are being educated in how to use them by their children, e.g.:
They got the Dell as a hand-me-up from my uncle when he upgraded his machine a couple of years ago.
Source: Macmillan buzz word
Source: Macmillan buzz word
August 22, 2014
Ways of saying something politely
This week’s tip gives some ways of saying something politely:
In our recent post on ways of agreeing and disagreeing we looked at some phrases that are used when politely disagreeing with someone. Knowing how and when to use these types of phrases is important, because what is normal in one language or culture can sound rude in another.
In our recent post on ways of agreeing and disagreeing we looked at some phrases that are used when politely disagreeing with someone. Knowing how and when to use these types of phrases is important, because what is normal in one language or culture can sound rude in another.
Phrases such as (I’m) sorry, Excuse me, or Pardon me can be used to show politeness in many different contexts, such as asking for information and interrupting, as well as disagreeing:
Sorry/Excuse me, do you know what time it is?
I’m sorry, but I don’t see how you expect us to finish by lunchtime.
Excuse me, but I never said I’d pay for everything.
Excuse me, but there’s a phone call for you.
Excuse me for a moment, I have to make a phone call.
Pardon me, but those numbers aren’t right.
Pardon me for interrupting, but there’s a phone call for you.
(I’m) Sorry, Excuse me and Pardon me can also be used when asking someone politely to repeat something. Excuse me and Pardon me are used mainly in American English:
‘Is this your coat?’ ‘Excuse me/Pardon me?’
I’m sorry, what was your name again?
Excuse me is used in British English and Pardon me in American English when asking someone politely to move so you can get past.
Expressions such as I don’t know, I see/take your point and That’s true, but… can be used when you want to disagree with someone to some degree, rather than completely:
‘It’ll be boring.’ ‘Oh I don’t know. It might be fun.’
I see your point, but I don’t think there’s anything we can do at the moment.
Phrases such as With (the greatest) respect, with all (due) respect and I beg to differ are very polite and formal ways of disagreeing with someone:
With all due respect, I think you’re missing the point.
He argues that young people would benefit from parenting courses. I beg to differ.
Actually can be used when disagreeing politely with someone, or to correct them:Source: the Macmillan Dictionary
‘I find James a bit dull.’ ‘He’s actually very nice when you get to know him.’ ‘That Picasso’s amazing!’ ‘Actually it’s by Braque.’
I’m afraid can be used for politely telling someone something that might upset, disappoint or annoy them:
Things haven’t been going very well here, I’m afraid.
I’m afraid that I can’t accept this job.
I’m afraid to say I found the book very dull.
‘Did he forget to do it?’ ‘I’m afraid so.’
‘Will John be there?’ ‘I’m afraid not.’
August 20, 2014
Williams’ Words of Wisdom
If anyone could capture an audience, it was Robin Williams. The way the famed actor could rope in his audience, make us hang on his every word — laugh one minute, tear-up the next — is the envy of any presenter.
Whether in movies like “Goodwill Hunting” or shows like “Sesame Street,” Williams always seemed to have something poignant to say. Here are some of his best quotes through his career:
Whether in movies like “Goodwill Hunting” or shows like “Sesame Street,” Williams always seemed to have something poignant to say. Here are some of his best quotes through his career:
August 19, 2014
Ways of expressing disagreement
More expressions to improve your speech:
I’m sorry, but…/Excuse me, but…/Pardon me, but…: used when politely telling someone that you do not agree with them:
Sorry/Excuse me/Pardon me, but it was never proved that he stole that car.
Absolutely not/Of course not…/Nothing of the kind! used for saying that you completely disagree with what someone has said:
‘I think I should accept the blame for the accident.’ ‘Absolutely not!/Of course not!/Nothing of the kind! There’s no way it was your fault.’
I don’t know/I take your point/That’s true, but…: used as polite ways of saying that you do not really agree with someone:
‘Peter is really unfriendly sometimes. ‘I don’t know, he’s always been very kind to me.’
‘These taxes on petrol are far too high.’ ‘Well yes, I take your point. But maybe that’ll encourage people to use their cars less.’
‘She’s a difficult person to work with.’ ‘That’s true, but she’s a really good designer.’
Speak for yourself…: an informal and sometimes impolite way of telling someone that your opinion is very different to theirs:
‘We don’t mind walking from here.’ ‘Speak for yourself! My feet are killing me!’
Don’t make me laugh/Are you kidding?/You must be joking…: informal ways of telling someone you completely disagree with them, and you think that what they have said is crazy:
‘I really think the Beatles are overrated.’ ‘Are you kidding?/Don’t make me laugh! They’re better than any of the modern bands.’
Source: Macmillan
I’m sorry, but…/Excuse me, but…/Pardon me, but…: used when politely telling someone that you do not agree with them:
Sorry/Excuse me/Pardon me, but it was never proved that he stole that car.
Absolutely not/Of course not…/Nothing of the kind! used for saying that you completely disagree with what someone has said:
‘I think I should accept the blame for the accident.’ ‘Absolutely not!/Of course not!/Nothing of the kind! There’s no way it was your fault.’
I don’t know/I take your point/That’s true, but…: used as polite ways of saying that you do not really agree with someone:
‘Peter is really unfriendly sometimes. ‘I don’t know, he’s always been very kind to me.’
‘These taxes on petrol are far too high.’ ‘Well yes, I take your point. But maybe that’ll encourage people to use their cars less.’
‘She’s a difficult person to work with.’ ‘That’s true, but she’s a really good designer.’
Speak for yourself…: an informal and sometimes impolite way of telling someone that your opinion is very different to theirs:
‘We don’t mind walking from here.’ ‘Speak for yourself! My feet are killing me!’
Don’t make me laugh/Are you kidding?/You must be joking…: informal ways of telling someone you completely disagree with them, and you think that what they have said is crazy:
‘I really think the Beatles are overrated.’ ‘Are you kidding?/Don’t make me laugh! They’re better than any of the modern bands.’
Source: Macmillan
August 05, 2014
5 Reasons to Drink Coffee Before Your Workout
Half of Americans start their day with coffee, and according to recent study, working out after downing a cup of java may offer a weight loss advantage. The Spanish study, published in the International Journal of Sport Nutrition and Exercise Metabolism, found that trained athletes who took in caffeine pre-exercise burned about 15% more calories for three hours post-exercise, compared to those who ingested a placebo. The dose that triggered the effect was 4.5 mg of caffeine per kilogram of body weight. For 150-pound woman (68 kg), that’s roughly 300 mg of caffeine, the amount in about 12 ounces of brewed coffee, a quantity you may already be sipping each morning.
Source: Time Magazine
August 03, 2014
Pss! Your phone is snooping on you
Revelations about the detailed location records stored on smartphones indicates just how
much information companies including Apple and Google are able to gather. But it's not just the phone-makers – apps on your phone are hungry for your personal info too. So is your phone snooping on you? Here, we reveal what you need to know – and whether you can do anything about it.
August 01, 2014
Fish Idioms
Hi,
Now that you might be close to water, you may want to learn a few fish idioms.
Now that you might be close to water, you may want to learn a few fish idioms.
Source: HotEnglish Magazine
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