Curiosities“Near miss”, “cause”Today we will look at two different terms: “near miss” and “cause”. We will use a short video to understand their meanings. In the video you will see Muntazer al-Zaidi, an Iraqi journalist, throwing both his shoes at the US president, George Bush Jnr. The journalist throws his shoes quite accurately, but the shoes don’t hit Mr Bush. They “miss” him, but only just. In fact, they nearly hit his head. So we can describe the incident as a “near miss”. When two aircraft nearly hit each other, that is also a near miss. Now let us turn to Mr Bush’s reaction afterwards (you can read the full transcript below). Mr Bush says that he doesn’t know “what the guy’s cause is”. In this context, the word “cause” means “a principle or movement that you believe in deeply and are prepared to defend or promote”. For example: Mother Teresa of Calcutta devoted her life to the cause of poor and sick people. Muntazer al-Zaidi’s cause is the widows and orphans and everyone killed in Iraq as a result of the US-led invasion of Iraq. Al-Zaidi (translated): This is a goodbye kiss from the Iraqi people, dog. This is for the widows and orphans and all those killed in Iraq. Bush: So what if the guy threw a shoe at me? … Er, it is one way to gain attention. Er, it’s like going to a political rally and having people yell at you. It’s like driving down the street and have [having] people not gesturing with all five fingers. It’s a way for people to draw, you know, attention…I dunno what the guy’s cause is, but one thing is for certain, he caused you to ask me a question about him. Clinton Misses the Kiss
Smiling MoonWhat can it mean? The Moon is smiling over Thailand. Here are two pictures I took tonight 1st December around 7pm in Bangkok.
Have YOU have seen a smiling moon? What do YOU think it means?! New dollar billTo support the bailout of AIG, Lehman, Fannie Mae & Freddie Mac the US Treasury Department has issued a new one dollar bill…
College Entrance ExamTime allowed: 1 minute
Scroll down for the answer… Scroll down for the answer… Scroll down for the answer… Scroll down for the answer… Scroll down for the answer… Scroll down for the answer… Scroll down for the answer… Scroll down for the answer… Scroll down for the answer… Scroll down for the answer… Scroll down for the answer…
That’s OK, I didn’t pass either Welcome to the USSAThere may be some debate about the precise meaning of USSA (is it United Socialist States of America or United Soviet States of America?), but there is little doubt that the former USA is taking a leaf from the book of Hugo Chavez, President of Venezuela, long lambasted by Washington as an authoritarian communist. In effectively nationalizing the world’s largest insurance company, AIG, the American administration can at least hide its credentials behind the old USSR joke: Under capitalism, Man exploits Man. Under communism, it is exactly the opposite.
What do YOU think USSA stands for? Things are not always what they seem
Morality TestThis test only has one question, but it’s a very important one. By giving an honest answer, you will discover where you stand morally. The test features an unlikely, completely fictional situation in which you will have to make a decision. Remember that your answer needs to be honest, yet spontaneous. Please scroll down slowly and give due consideration to each line. THE SITUATION You are in England, York to be precise. There is chaos all around you caused by a hurricane with severe flooding. This is a flood of biblical proportions. You are a photo-journalist working for a major newspaper, and you’re caught in the middle of this epic disaster. The situation is nearly hopeless. You’re trying to shoot career-making photos. There are houses and people swirling around you, some disappearing into the water. Nature is unleashing all its destructive fury. THE TEST Suddenly, you see a man in the water. He is fighting for his life, trying not to be taken down with the debris. You move closer… Somehow, the man looks familiar… You can save the life of Gordon Brown or you can shoot a dramatic Pulitzer Prize-winning photo, documenting the death of one of the country’s most powerful men! THE QUESTION Here’s the question, and please give an honest answer… Would you select high contrast colour film, or would you go with the classic simplicity of black and white? April Fool’s DayApril 1st is called April Fool’s Day in English, and it’s a day when people play jokes on other people. They can be small, personal jokes or tricks, or big “industrial-size” hoaxes by newspapers or television channels like the BBC. (more…) |  Personal blog of Josef Essberger, English Club founder
You are currently browsing the archives for the Curiosities category. |
