Archive for the 'VOA 1' Category

Dutch: English Expressions Unrelated to Dutch People

 
Now, the VOA Special English program, Words and Their Stories.  Today, we tell about American expressions using the word “Dutch.”

Baloney: It’s Just Not True

Now, the VOA Special English program, Words and Their Stories.
Baloney is a kind of sausage that many Americans eat often. The word also has another meaning in English.  It is used to describe something – usually something someone says – that is false or wrong or foolish.
Baloney sausage comes from the name of the Italian [...]

Heard It on the Grapevine: What? Who Told You That?

Now, the VOA Special English program, Words and Their Stories.
Some of the most exciting information comes by way of the grapevine.
That is so because reports received through the grapevine are supposed to be secret. The information is all hush hush. It is whispered into your ear with the understanding that you will not pass it [...]

Face: Time to Face the Music

Now, WORDS AND THEIR STORIES – a VOA Special English program about American expressions. I’m Rich Kleinfeldt with expressions that include the word face.

Buff: Are You a Buff About Something?

Now, the VOA Special English program, Words and Their Stories. Today we tell about the word buff.
The word buff has several meanings. Buff is a light yellow color. Buff is also a soft cloth used to rub a surface until it looks bright and shiny. 

Fall Guy: He Took the Blame for Someone Else

Now, the VOA Special English program, Words and Their Stories.
Every week at this time, the Voice of America tells about popular words and expressions used in the United States. Some expressions have made a jump from sports events to everyday life. One such expression is fall guy. A fall guy is the person who someone decides will [...]

On a Short Leash: He Had Firm Control Over His Workers

 I’m Susan Clark with the Special English program, WORDS AND THEIR STORIES.
Susan Cleveland is the young president of a candy company in the city of Chicago. Her father began the company in the nineteen sixties. He died three years ago. Now, the company belongs to Susan.