Author: Xela

The origins

Some people believe it started in Philadelphia, a city in the United States, during the 1960s. During that time, large crowds of people would come into the city for shopping and to watch a big football game. The streets were crowded, the stores were packed, and traffic was very busy. The police started calling the day “Black Friday” because of the chaos and busy traffic they had to manage.

Another theory suggests that Black Friday became popular in the 1980s when stores realized it was a time they could make a lot of money. During most of the year, stores sometimes lost money, meaning they were “in the red” (a financial term meaning they lost money). But on Black Friday, stores made huge profits, going “into the black” (meaning they made money). This is why people say Black Friday is a great time for bargains (a good price) and savings.

Black Friday around the world

Black Friday isn’t only celebrated in the United States anymore. Over time, this shopping tradition has become popular in many other countries:

• Canada: Canadians used to go to the U.S. to shop on Black Friday, but now Canada has its own Black Friday sales.
• United Kingdom: Many stores in the UK have huge sales on Black Friday, both online and in-store.
• Brazil: People in Brazil enjoy discounts on Black Friday, especially for electronics and clothes.
• Germany and France: These countries have joined in the fun, with big Black Friday sales and discounts at major stores.
• China and Japan: Black Friday is growing in these countries too, although they already have other big shopping days, like Singles’ Day in China.

As Black Friday continues to grow in popularity around the world, it’s an exciting opportunity to find amazing deals, learn about different traditions, and kick off the holiday season with some great bargains.

Whether you’re shopping in-store, online, or just curious about the history of this special day, Black Friday has something for everyone.

If you’re on the hunt for a fantastic Black Friday deal, we’ve got one for you, too!

Be sure to check it out before it expires on December 3, 2024—don’t miss out!

What does o’clock mean?

The word “o’clock” comes from the old phrase “of the clock.” Hundreds of years ago, people would say “It is three of the clock” to mean that the time is 3:00. Over time, this phrase got shortened to “three o’clock,” which we still use today.

It’s a nice example of how the English language has changed over time, and now most people don’t think about the original meaning of the phrase. But the next time you hear “o’clock,” you can remember that it’s a little piece of history!

Time related expressions

Here are a few useful expressions in English related to time:

1. “What time is it?” – A simple question you can ask when you want to know the current time.
2. “It’s half past…” – Use this to describe a time that is 30 minutes after the hour, like “half past two” for 2:30.
3. “It’s quarter to…” – This means 15 minutes before the next hour. For example, “quarter to six” means 5:45.
4. “On the dot” – If something happens exactly at a specific time, you can say it happens “on the dot.” For example, “The meeting starts at 9:00 on the dot.”
5. “Better late than never” – This phrase means it’s better to arrive late than not to arrive at all.

What is GMT?

GMT, or Greenwich Mean Time, is the time at the Prime Meridian (0° longitude). It is used as a reference point for time all around the world. GMT does not change throughout the year and is the standard time during winter in the UK.

What is BST?

In the summer, the UK changes to BST, which stands for British Summer Time. This happens in March, when the clocks move forward by one hour. The change is made so that there is more daylight in the evenings. This is called Daylight Saving Time (DST). In October, the clocks go back one hour, returning to GMT.

BST is not unique to the UK. Many countries use a similar system, adjusting their clocks to make better use of daylight. However, not all countries have Daylight Saving Time. For example, countries near the equator don’t need to change their clocks because they get about the same amount of daylight all year.

What is UTC?

UTC stands for Coordinated Universal Time, and it is the global standard for timekeeping. Like GMT, it is based at the Prime Meridian (0° longitude) in Greenwich, London. Unlike GMT, UTC does not change with the seasons—it remains the same all year round. Many countries and international organizations use UTC as a reference time, especially in technology and aviation, because it is consistent and reliable worldwide.

Who is affected by Time Changes?

Time changes affect everyone who lives in or communicates with people in different time zones. For example, if you live in the UK and want to call someone in New York, you need to know the time difference. New York is usually five hours behind GMT, but during British Summer Time, New York is four hours behind, as the US also follows Daylight Saving Time but on different dates.

English language students who study online from different parts of the world are also affected by these time zone changes. Imagine a student in Japan and a student in France both taking the same online English class with a teacher in the UK. During the UK’s winter (on GMT), a class at 9 AM in the UK would start at 6 PM in Japan (9 hours ahead) and 10 AM in France (1 hour ahead). However, when the UK switches to British Summer Time (BST) in March, the time difference shifts. For the student in Japan, the class would now begin at 5 PM, as Japan does not observe Daylight Saving Time, but for the student in France, it would remain at 10 AM, because France also moves to summer time around the same period.

This means students from different countries need to stay aware of how time zone changes affect their class schedules, especially in spring and autumn when clocks shift between standard and daylight saving times in some regions.

Time zones and changes in time, like switching between GMT and BST in the UK, affect people all around the world. Understanding how time works globally helps us communicate, travel, and work together more effectively. Knowing useful time-related phrases can also help you talk about time like a native speaker!

10 Words to help you talk about climate change

1. Global Warming: The increase in the Earth’s temperature.
2. Fossil Fuels: Things like coal, oil, and gas that we use for energy.
3. Carbon Dioxide (CO2): A gas that makes the Earth warmer.
4. Greenhouse Gases: Gases that trap heat in the atmosphere, making the Earth warmer.
5. Renewable Energy: Energy that comes from natural sources like the sun, wind, and water.
6. Deforestation: Cutting down trees and forests.
7. Climate: The typical weather in a place over a long time.
8. Sea Level: The level of the ocean’s surface.
9. Pollution: Harmful things in the air, water, or soil.
10. Ecosystem: A community of plants, animals, and the environment they live in.

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The International Day of Climate Change

Every year, on October 24th, we celebrate the International Day of Climate Action. This day is special because people all over the world join together to talk about climate change. They share ideas on how to protect the Earth. Schools, companies, and even governments use this day to learn and make plans to help the planet.

This day is important because it reminds us that we need to act now. Climate change is a big problem, and we must work together to solve it. We can use this day to learn, speak up, and make a change.

If you are learning English, this is a great opportunity to practise! You can read articles, watch videos, or talk with others about climate change. You will learn new words and understand more about the topic. It is also a good chance to show that you care about the Earth, no matter where you live.

Five reasons why non-native speakers might think they should swear

1. To sound like a native speaker: Some learners think that using swear words will help them sound more like native speakers.
2. To express strong emotions: Swear words can be a way to express strong emotions like anger, frustration, or excitement.
3. To fit in with friends: If your friends swear a lot, you might feel pressure to do the same to be part of the group.
4. To be taken seriously: Some people believe that swearing makes them sound more serious or confident.
5. To be funny: Swearing can sometimes make a joke funnier, especially if it’s unexpected.

Common swear words in English

Here are five common swear words in English.

1. Fuck: This is probably the most common swear word in English with lots of different uses. It can be used to express anger or surprise. Example: “What the f*** are you doing?” (What are you doing?). It can also be used to express annoyance or frustration. “Oh fuck. I’ve missed the bus and I’m going to be late again. Fuck off is a very commonly used way to tell someone to go away
2. Piss . Piss off has a similar meaning to ‘Fuck off’ but slightly less strong. Piss means urinate ‘Stop the car I need a piss’) , while ‘pissed’ in British English can mean ‘drunk’ and in American English annoyed or angry. “I’m pissed she never turned up to my party’
3. Shit: This word is often used when something goes wrong or to express frustration. Example: “Oh shit, I forgot my keys!” (Oh no, I forgot my keys!). Or it can just mean ‘bad’ ‘That film/meal/concert was a load of shit’
4. Arsehole: In British English this is a vulgar word for buttocks or anus. This word is used to describe someone who is rude or mean. Example: “He’s such an arse/ arsehole.” (He’s very rude.)
5. C*** . Also known as the ‘c -word’ it’s probably the most offensive and vulgar noun in British slang that we think is too vulgar to write out in full here.It is used to describe an unpleasant or stupid person. “I can’t stand him. He’s such a c***)

American and British English spelling differences:

The spelling variations between British and American English are another intriguing aspect. Take the word “colour” in British English—it’s perfectly correct. However, in American English, the spelling is simplified to “color.” The same goes for “favourite” (British) and “favorite” (American), or “travelling” (British) and “traveling” (American). These spelling distinctions may appear in your reading, so you will know immediately where the writer comes from and of course you can decide which English you prefer to use!

Expressions

Using expressions, or idioms, will make you sound more natural when you speak English. For instance, if someone in Britain says, “I’m feeling peckish,” they mean they’re a bit hungry. On the other hand, an American might say, “Let’s talk turkey” when they want to talk about business! Similarly, when a Brit says, “I’ll give you a bell,” it translates to “I’ll call you” in American English. Understanding these expression will help you connect with native speakers on a deeper level.

B is for “Bottle”

Bottle very simply means courage or bravery, but it has a number of different uses in the English language.

To say someone “doesn’t have any bottle” is simply to say they are not brave. But you could also say “he bottled it” and this would mean he was going to do something but didn’t have the courage to do it. For example, he may have been asking a girl out on a date but got scared and didn’t do it. So he bottled it.

As with many slang terms, this is not offensive, but it is very informal and not for use in more formal or business situations.

Using Slang – 3 points of caution

1. Slang is always informal and can have different regional variations so you need to make sure you are using the right words in the right place with the right people!
2. Slang can be rude and offensive depending on the situation and use. So make sure you really understand the slang you want to use before you use it!
3. Slang changes over time so it’s important to keep up to date – check what slang is used on TV and in the media today.