Read about why they stopped here: Scottish barmen refuse to wear kilts
What do you think about it? Is it a serious or a laughing matter?
Tartan kilts. Choose your favourite, boys!
Saturday, 1 August 2015
Barmen stop wearing kilts
I thought this piece of news was heart-breaking. For once that the men were wearing skirts!
Read about why they stopped here: Scottish barmen refuse to wear kilts
What do you think about it? Is it a serious or a laughing matter?
Tartan kilts. Choose your favourite, boys!
Read about why they stopped here: Scottish barmen refuse to wear kilts
What do you think about it? Is it a serious or a laughing matter?
Tartan kilts. Choose your favourite, boys!
Wednesday, 6 May 2015
Monday, 4 May 2015
May the fourth be with you
On the subject of nerds...
Play Twister, maybe?
(Photo by JD Hancock)
Join the Jedi church? No, that's not a joke: http://www.jedichurch.org/
Play Twister, maybe?
(Photo by JD Hancock)
Join the Jedi church? No, that's not a joke: http://www.jedichurch.org/
Friday, 1 May 2015
Nerdy
This post is for Josep G. who told me that "nerdy" doesn't exist in the dictionary.
I've posted a Weird Al Yankovic video before (Word Crimes). Here the original song, "Ridin' (dirty)" by Chamillionaire, featuring someone or other.
Watch it first.
And here's Weird Al Yankovic's version:
Which do you like best?
I've posted a Weird Al Yankovic video before (Word Crimes). Here the original song, "Ridin' (dirty)" by Chamillionaire, featuring someone or other.
Watch it first.
And here's Weird Al Yankovic's version:
Which do you like best?
Thursday, 23 April 2015
Masterdating
There, that got your attention, didn't it? :D
Click on the link for some funny and clever new words, created by "blending" (also known as "portmanteau" words): http://www.demilked.com/new-modern-funny-random-words-portmanteaus/
Click on the link for some funny and clever new words, created by "blending" (also known as "portmanteau" words): http://www.demilked.com/new-modern-funny-random-words-portmanteaus/
Thanks Gemma F. for the link! :D
Sorry
One of my students sent us this link. (Thanks, La Campoy!)
Personally I don't like the end of the video, but apart from that, he's easy to understand, and the general message is inspirational.
Any comments in the "comments" below!
Personally I don't like the end of the video, but apart from that, he's easy to understand, and the general message is inspirational.
Any comments in the "comments" below!
Friday, 6 March 2015
Wednesday, 11 February 2015
Are you sick and tired of dinosaurs?
Are you sick and tired of hearing about dinosaurs? Then you'll love this post on the subject that's going round the internet.
To be perfectly honest, I initially thought it was a joke, but now I'm not so sure.
Either way, I think it's hilarious, so I hope you find it funny too.
The original post that I saw, here. Some of the comments are funny too. :D
To be perfectly honest, I initially thought it was a joke, but now I'm not so sure.
Either way, I think it's hilarious, so I hope you find it funny too.
The original post that I saw, here. Some of the comments are funny too. :D
Thursday, 15 January 2015
English signs in foreign countries
I've already told you about my own experience in Sitges of seeing "Rape a la Marinera" translated as "Rape to the Sailor-like".
Here are some other examples of mis-translations into English from around the world.
Unfortunately, I collected them some time ago, and can't credit the source. Sorry!
In a Bangkok temple:
"IT IS FORBIDDEN TO ENTER A WOMAN, EVEN A FOREIGNER, IF DRESSED AS A MAN."
Cocktail lounge, Norway:
"LADIES ARE REQUESTED NOT TO HAVE CHILDREN IN THE BAR."
Doctors office, Rome:
"SPECIALIST IN WOMEN AND OTHER DISEASES".
Dry cleaners, Bangkok:
"DROP YOUR TROUSERS HERE FOR THE BEST RESULTS".
In a Nairobi restaurant:
"CUSTOMERS WHO FIND OUR WAITRESSES RUDE OUGHT TO SEE THE MANAGER."
On an Athi River highway, the main road to Mombasa, leaving Nairobi.
"TAKE NOTICE: WHEN THIS SIGN IS UNDER WATER, THIS ROAD IS IMPASSABLE."
On a poster at Kencom:
ARE YOU AN ADULT THAT CANNOT READ? IF SO, WE CAN HELP."
In a City restaurant:
"OPEN SEVEN DAYS A WEEK AND WEEKENDS.
A sign seen on an automatic restroom hand dryer:
"DO NOT ACTIVATE WITH WET HANDS."
In a cemetery:
"PERSONS ARE PROHIBITED FROM PICKING FLOWERS FROM ANY BUT THEIR OWN GRAVES."
Tokyo hotel's rules and regulations:
"GUESTS ARE REQUESTED NOT TO SMOKE OR DO OTHER DISGUSTING BEHAVIOURS IN BED."
On the menu of a Swiss restaurant:
"OUR WINES LEAVE YOU NOTHING TO HOPE FOR."
In a Tokyo bar:
"SPECIAL COCKTAILS FOR THE LADIES WITH NUTS."
Hotel, Yugoslavia:
"THE FLATTENING OF UNDERWEAR WITH PLEASURE IS THE JOB OF THE CHAMBERMAID."
Hotel, Japan:
"YOU ARE INVITED TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE CHAMBERMAID."
In the lobby of a Moscow hotel, across from a Russian Orthodox monastery:
"YOU ARE WELCOME TO VISIT THE CEMETERY WHERE FAMOUS RUSSIAN AND SOVIET COMPOSERS, ARTISTS, AND WRITERS ARE BURIED DAILY EXCEPT THURSDAY."
A sign posted in Germany's Black Forest:
"IT IS STRICTLY FORBIDDEN ON OUR BLACK FOREST CAMPING SITE THAT PEOPLE OF DIFFERENT SEX, FOR INSTANCE, MEN AND WOMEN, LIVE TOGETHER IN ONE TENT UNLESS THEY ARE MARRIED WITH EACH OTHER FOR THIS PURPOSE."
Hotel, Zurich:
"BECAUSE OF THE IMPROPRIETY OF ENTERTAINING GUESTS OF THE OPPOSITE SEX IN THE BEDROOM, IT IS SUGGESTED THAT THE LOBBY BE USED FOR THIS PURPOSE."
Advertisement for donkey rides, Thailand:
"WOULD YOU LIKE TO RIDE ON YOUR OWN ASS?"
The box of a clockwork toy made in Hong Kong:
"GUARANTEED TO WORK THROUGHOUT ITS USEFUL LIFE."
In a Swiss mountain inn:
"SPECIAL TODAY: NO ICE-CREAM."
Airline ticket office, Copenhagen:
"WE TAKE YOUR BAGS AND SEND THEM IN ALL DIRECTIONS."
A laundry in Rome:
"LADIES, LEAVE YOUR CLOTHES HERE AND SPEND THE AFTERNOON HAVING A GOOD TIME."
One good webpage for mis-translations is http://www.engrish.com/, although I must admit the English is so bad, it's sometimes difficult to guess what they meant!
Here are some other examples of mis-translations into English from around the world.
Unfortunately, I collected them some time ago, and can't credit the source. Sorry!
In a Bangkok temple:
"IT IS FORBIDDEN TO ENTER A WOMAN, EVEN A FOREIGNER, IF DRESSED AS A MAN."
Cocktail lounge, Norway:
"LADIES ARE REQUESTED NOT TO HAVE CHILDREN IN THE BAR."
Doctors office, Rome:
"SPECIALIST IN WOMEN AND OTHER DISEASES".
Dry cleaners, Bangkok:
"DROP YOUR TROUSERS HERE FOR THE BEST RESULTS".
In a Nairobi restaurant:
"CUSTOMERS WHO FIND OUR WAITRESSES RUDE OUGHT TO SEE THE MANAGER."
On an Athi River highway, the main road to Mombasa, leaving Nairobi.
"TAKE NOTICE: WHEN THIS SIGN IS UNDER WATER, THIS ROAD IS IMPASSABLE."
On a poster at Kencom:
ARE YOU AN ADULT THAT CANNOT READ? IF SO, WE CAN HELP."
In a City restaurant:
"OPEN SEVEN DAYS A WEEK AND WEEKENDS.
A sign seen on an automatic restroom hand dryer:
"DO NOT ACTIVATE WITH WET HANDS."
In a cemetery:
"PERSONS ARE PROHIBITED FROM PICKING FLOWERS FROM ANY BUT THEIR OWN GRAVES."
Tokyo hotel's rules and regulations:
"GUESTS ARE REQUESTED NOT TO SMOKE OR DO OTHER DISGUSTING BEHAVIOURS IN BED."
On the menu of a Swiss restaurant:
"OUR WINES LEAVE YOU NOTHING TO HOPE FOR."
In a Tokyo bar:
"SPECIAL COCKTAILS FOR THE LADIES WITH NUTS."
Hotel, Yugoslavia:
"THE FLATTENING OF UNDERWEAR WITH PLEASURE IS THE JOB OF THE CHAMBERMAID."
Hotel, Japan:
"YOU ARE INVITED TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE CHAMBERMAID."
In the lobby of a Moscow hotel, across from a Russian Orthodox monastery:
"YOU ARE WELCOME TO VISIT THE CEMETERY WHERE FAMOUS RUSSIAN AND SOVIET COMPOSERS, ARTISTS, AND WRITERS ARE BURIED DAILY EXCEPT THURSDAY."
A sign posted in Germany's Black Forest:
"IT IS STRICTLY FORBIDDEN ON OUR BLACK FOREST CAMPING SITE THAT PEOPLE OF DIFFERENT SEX, FOR INSTANCE, MEN AND WOMEN, LIVE TOGETHER IN ONE TENT UNLESS THEY ARE MARRIED WITH EACH OTHER FOR THIS PURPOSE."
Hotel, Zurich:
"BECAUSE OF THE IMPROPRIETY OF ENTERTAINING GUESTS OF THE OPPOSITE SEX IN THE BEDROOM, IT IS SUGGESTED THAT THE LOBBY BE USED FOR THIS PURPOSE."
Advertisement for donkey rides, Thailand:
"WOULD YOU LIKE TO RIDE ON YOUR OWN ASS?"
The box of a clockwork toy made in Hong Kong:
"GUARANTEED TO WORK THROUGHOUT ITS USEFUL LIFE."
In a Swiss mountain inn:
"SPECIAL TODAY: NO ICE-CREAM."
Airline ticket office, Copenhagen:
"WE TAKE YOUR BAGS AND SEND THEM IN ALL DIRECTIONS."
A laundry in Rome:
"LADIES, LEAVE YOUR CLOTHES HERE AND SPEND THE AFTERNOON HAVING A GOOD TIME."
One good webpage for mis-translations is http://www.engrish.com/, although I must admit the English is so bad, it's sometimes difficult to guess what they meant!
Wednesday, 31 December 2014
Good country
At this time of the year, when we're probably all thinking about how fabulous we're going to be next year and do everything differently: stop smoking, lose weight, become a vegetarian, recycle more, do some English listening every day, do some exercising, stop mugging people and running off with their handbags, etc, etc, etc, perhaps it's the time to think more globally? Just an idea!
Especially those of you who might be dreaming of the possibility of a new country? Maybe it's the time to consider what makes a country a "good" one.
In this TED talk, Simon Anholt talks about the factors that make some countries better than others, and about how what we like about a country may not be what we would have initially imagined.
He also says the name of the country that currently does the most good, and guess what: the country is... SPOILER!!! CENSORED CENSORED CENSORED!!!
(Remember to watch the video without subtitles a couple of times, if you're watching it for listening practice.)
Along the same lines, on this webpage http://www.goodcountry.org/ Anholt promotes the idea of a political party concerned with doing good.
And if you're like me and enjoy lots of statistics in different colours, you should really check out this part, where you'll be able to compare different countries and different aspects: http://www.goodcountry.org/index_intro
And if all that doesn't make you feel like being good in 2015, I give up! :)
Happy new year everyone!
Especially those of you who might be dreaming of the possibility of a new country? Maybe it's the time to consider what makes a country a "good" one.
In this TED talk, Simon Anholt talks about the factors that make some countries better than others, and about how what we like about a country may not be what we would have initially imagined.
He also says the name of the country that currently does the most good, and guess what: the country is... SPOILER!!! CENSORED CENSORED CENSORED!!!
(Remember to watch the video without subtitles a couple of times, if you're watching it for listening practice.)
Along the same lines, on this webpage http://www.goodcountry.org/ Anholt promotes the idea of a political party concerned with doing good.
And if you're like me and enjoy lots of statistics in different colours, you should really check out this part, where you'll be able to compare different countries and different aspects: http://www.goodcountry.org/index_intro
And if all that doesn't make you feel like being good in 2015, I give up! :)
Happy new year everyone!
Saturday, 27 December 2014
Does Learning a Foreign Language Pay Off?
Is learning a foreign language really worth it?
Here they talk about the pros (and no cons): Does Learning a Foreign Language Pay Off?
In more detail here: http://www.economist.com/blogs/prospero/2014/03/language-study
Here they talk about the pros (and no cons): Does Learning a Foreign Language Pay Off?
In more detail here: http://www.economist.com/blogs/prospero/2014/03/language-study
Tuesday, 18 November 2014
The world is running out of chocolate!!
It's a tragedy!! Apparently they've known for some time.
http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/food-and-drink/news/worlds-largest-chocolate-manufacturer-adds-voice-to-warnings-of-potential-cocoa-shortage-by-2020-9864437.html
http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/food-and-drink/news/worlds-largest-chocolate-manufacturer-adds-voice-to-warnings-of-potential-cocoa-shortage-by-2020-9864437.html
Monday, 3 November 2014
Natural reader
I've used this in class before, when I have a sore throat and can't force my voice, but it's also useful for you: http://www.naturalreaders.com/
I haven't downloaded it, but that option seems interesting too. If anyone does downlaod it, let me know if it's useful!
I haven't downloaded it, but that option seems interesting too. If anyone does downlaod it, let me know if it's useful!
Tuesday, 26 August 2014
Weird Al Yankovic - Word Crimes
Saturday, 16 August 2014
The Most Common Travel Scams by Country
This page has an interesting list of tourist scams that I hope you're all avoiding right now!
http://www.justtheflight.co.uk/blog/16-40-tourist-scams-to-avoid-this-summer.html
A couple of examples:
http://www.justtheflight.co.uk/blog/16-40-tourist-scams-to-avoid-this-summer.html
A couple of examples:
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