Having problems with some words? You are not alone. Here, you will find stories from fellow immigrants, as well as native English speakers who have stumbled on words, and learned them the hard way, or in a fun way. Along with these words are their stories. Laugh along....
This section "Word of the Day" is not meant as English lessons by a language
expert. Instead, it consists of contributions by fellow immigrants.
We hope that you enjoy this section. If so, tell your friends about it, and share us your experience and stories by email to [email protected]. We are just a mouse-click away.
"How was I to know the B-1 was an airplane? I thought it was
vitamins for the troop." - Ronald Reagan
Editor's comment: A B1 bomber is a supersonic aircraft capable of long-range bombing and missile launching with nuclear weapons.
Vitamin B1, also known as thiamin, helps fuel your body by converting blood sugar into energy. It keeps your mucous membranes healthy and is essential for nervous system, cardiovascular and muscular function.
While these words are just ordinary words for most Canadians, new immigrants will find them interesting.
Hooky - "playing hooky at school or at work", means that you are skipping classes or are absent.
Kooky - means crazy, as in "she is a bit kooky".
Yucky - means messy, as in "don't step in those yucky poop"
Ducky - means just fine, as in "this is just ducky"
Contribution
by S. Young of BC
"During
my driving lessons, my driving instructor told me to pull up, I
did nothing. He repeated "pull up" again, and he finally yelled
"STOP". I did not know that "pull up" meant stop. He was so
mad."
Editor's comment: The term "pull up" came from the
era of horse carriages. The driver pulls up the reins to stop the
horse. Today, the term is also applied to cars - the car being a
horseless carriage.
Another related term is "pull over", which meant pull the horse carriage over to the side. "Pull over" a car means pull the car over to the curb.
DOGGIE BAG
ution
by M. Wilson of Vancouver, BC"My brother-in-law called me a dog!!! After a restaurant meal, he told the waiter to put my leftover food in a doggie bag. I don't have a dog at home. He insulted me by implying that I am a dog. I did not speak to my sister and her husband for weeks."
Editor's comment: Your brother-in-law did not insult you. The word "doggie bag" is a phrase that evolved from packing leftover foods for the dog. Nowadays, it is good practice not to waste food, and there is no shame in bringing restaurant leftovers home.
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