English lexis can be really specific

Hiya ! 

Today I feel like writing a freak post that I have wanted to write for long. In fact, I don't know what to call it, so I tried to explain myself. Well, the English language has some generic terms that can refer to a lot of things. However, it also has specific words to distinguish. Yeah, it seems very difficult to understand, but let's try with examples : 

1. Bag : Bag in English in quite an open term that can refer to a wide range of different objects. Saying 'I lost my bag' may not be informative in English, given that the English have a lot of different types of bag :

   1a. Schoolbag 

From : http://freedesignfile.com/69006-colored-school-bag-vector-05/

   1b. Handbag

From : https://ak1.ostkcdn.com/images/products/10614321/P17685300.jpg

   1c. Carrier bag

From : https://mycarrierbag.co.uk/blue-recycled-plastic-carrier-bag-13x19x23-25-micron-heavy-strength-x-1000pcs.html

   1d. Paper bag 

From : http://www.psdgraphics.com/file/paper-shopping-bag.jpg

   1e. Bumbag : 

From : https://www.amazon.co.uk/d/ucb/Quadra-bum-bag-hip-pouch-Black/B0013Z7L1C

   1f. Clutch bag

From : https://es.pinterest.com/pin/323133341991080966/

   1g. Toilet bag / sponge bag

From : http://www.susiesbags.co.nz/product_info.php?products_id=8

  1h. Shoulder bag

From : http://www.lightinthebox.com/

   1i.  Carpetbag

From : http://www.just4leather.co.uk/leather-holdalls-leather-holdall

    1j. Kit bag 

From : http://medicalsupplies.iqarus.com/product/5-11-small-kit-bag-black/

   1k. Dilly bag

From : http://www.maningrida.com/about-mac/common-artwork-stories/dilly-bag-kun-madj

   1l. Duffel bag

From : https://rapala.fishing/products/duffel-bag

   1m. Tote bag

From : https://andrewneyer.com/product/tote-bag/

   1n. Bug out bag

From : http://gearmoose.com/category/bug-out-bags/

2. Mate : In English, 'mate' is a synonym for friend. However, in English they can be really specific when it comes to friendship : 

   2a. Classmate :

From : https://clipartfest.com/categories/view/c36c7c2a174af433b789e92bfa63f0c5dcac75b5/my-classmate-clipart.html

   2b. Roommate :

From : http://www.playbuzz.com/justrenttoown10/how-good-of-a-roommate-are-you

   2c. Flatmate : 

From : http://www.stuff.co.nz/technology/digital-living/4815375/Online-service-to-keep-the-mate-in-flatmate

   2d. Workmate : I prefer the synonym 'colleague' .

From : https://completewellbeing.com/article/how-close-should-you-get-to-your-colleague/

   2e. Inmate / cellmate

From : http://www.nationofchange.org/2015/06/02/deputies-plead-guilty-to-covering-up-assault-against-inmates-brother/

3. Board : In English, a board is a flat piece of wood or other material used for a purpose. This concept is really open, so you may sometimes need to specify the kind of board you are referring to : 

   3a. Blackboard :

From : http://clipartix.com/chalkboard-clipart/

   3b. Whiteboard : 

From : http://www.clipartkid.com/whiteboard-cliparts/

   3c. Digital board /Smart board : 

From : https://smarttech.com/

   3d. Billboard :

From : https://forum.wordreference.com/threads/billboard-sign-advertisement.3271489/

   3e. Notice board /  Bulletin board : 

From : https://www.walmart.com/

   3f. Plasterboard : 

From : http://www.buildingmaterials.co.uk/plasterboard.html

   3g. Cardboard : 

From : http://www.packaginginnovation.com/packaging-materials/cardboard-packaging-2/3-benefits-corrugated-cardboard-packaging/

   3h. Skateboard : 

From : http://www.momjunction.com/articles/skateboards-for-kids_00398931/#gref

   3i. Surfboard : 

From : http://www.koabeachservice.com/surfboard/

   3j. Ironing board : 

From : https://www.goodhousekeeping.co.uk/institute/product-reviews/ironing-boards/minky-aerial-plus-ironing-board

   3k. Chess board : 

From : Wikipedia

   3l. Switchboard : 

From : https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Telephone_switchboard

   3m. Snowboard : 

From : http://www.evo.com/outlet/snowboards/burton-hero-mid-wide-rocker-snowboard.aspx

4. Band : In English, a band is a thin strip of material. There are different types : 
   4a. Hairband : 

From : http://www.lacoquetakids.com/small-bow-hairband-dusty-pink

   4b. Headband : 

From : https://es.aliexpress.com

   4c. Neckband : 

From : http://www.udreamycostumes.com/black-thick-with-red-imitation-jewelry-neck-band-product-6025.html

   4d. Armband : 

From : https://www.aliexpress.com/cheap/cheap-basketball-armband.html

   4e. Wristband : 

From : https://10centwristbands.com/order-online.html

   4f. Watchband : 

From : http://www.watch-band-center.com/watchstrap-h123-For-PANERAI.html

5. Case : In English, a case is a container to keep things. There are different types of cases:

   5a. Suitcase :

From : http://www.argos.co.uk

   5b. Briefcase :

From : https://www.briefcase.com/briefcases/briefcases-for-women/

   5c. Pencil case : 

From : https://clipartfest.com/categories/view/18fafa6af2567af893764a052f3ecf29c04f3891/pencil-case-clipart-free.html

   5d. Instrument case

From : http://www.giantstepsmusic.com/accessories-instrument-cases-c-5_20

   5e. Knife case

From : http://www.chefdepot.net/specialproducts.htm

   5f. Eyeglass case :

From : http://www.perfect-eyeglasses-guide.com/eyeglass-case.html

   5g. Vanity case : 

From : https://es.aliexpress.com

   5h. Attaché case : 

From : https://www.briefcase.com/briefcases/attache-cases/

   5i. Flight case : 

From : http://www.theflightcasecompany.com/

Well, as you can see, English is awesome since it can use one word to refer to similar but very different objects, but then it can be really specific by adding just one word before the noun. That's another English quirk that makes me love English even more  !

St. Patrick's day and the Simpsons listening exercise

Hello to you all ! 

As you know, yesterday it was St. Patric's Day, the day where Ireland paints the town red - or rather - green ! It's a huge massive celebration that involves a big parade, tons of alcohol, people wearing green, massive Guinness consumption and lots of fun ! If you want to learn more about St. Patrick and Ireland, read my last year's post about St. Patrick's. For now, I propose you a short, but hilarious exercise of listening comprehension starring the Simpsons and St. Patrick. Watch the video and try to answer the questions ! The answers, as usual, are at the end of the post. Enjoy it :

Watch the video and answer the questions :
- Why does everybody pinch Bart ?

- What time is it when Homer is waiting at Moe's Tavern ?

- Today, everyone is a bit Irish except of course the ___________ and  the ____________.

- Why do they stop the celebration ?

- What does Homer say in Moe's Tavern?

- What does Bart say in front of the camera ?

- Marge doesn't want to look ___________________________.

Answers :
- Everybody pinches Bart because he isn't wearing anything green on St. Patrick's Day.
- It's about 9 o'clock. Homer : "It's been St. Patrick's day for ages and I'm still not drunk yet. Oh, it's never going to be nine o'clock !"
- Today everyone is a little bit Irish, except of course the gays and the Italians.
- They stop the celebration because Bart is drunk. "That small boy is drunk."
- In Moe's tavern, Homer says : "look at me ! I'm the Prime Minister of Ireland !
- In front of the camera, Bart utters the words : "What are you looking at ?"
- Marge doesn't want to look the world's worst mother. 

A little bit late, but you know, better late than ever. Happy St. Patrick's Day for everyone ! 

Body Idioms II

Here we are again. Another week has passed really quickly and I am back with my weekly month entry, this time, I'm writing the second part of my last week's post about body idioms. So, let's learn so more idioms, shall we ? 

1. I'm all ears : That's an interesting expression to indicate that you are willing to listen to the other person. If you want to tell me your problems, I'm all ears !  

From : https://englishhelponline.me/2010/10/24/idiom-to-be-all-ears/

2. I have eyes in the back of my head : When you are over-vigilant with someone. My mother, for example, has eyes in the back of her head, he he. 

From : http://naturallandscapedesign.com/blog/2012/02/eyes-in-the-back-of-my-head/

3. Do something behind someone's back : Do something without anyone else noticing it, secretly. e.g. I sold the house behind my wife's back because she didn't want me to do it ! 

4. Cat got your tongue ? : When someone is quiet and you prompt them to speak ! Imagine a situation where some children broke a vase and you ask"Who broke this ?" and nobody answers. You can say : "cat got your tongue?"

From : http://www.clipartster.com/cat-got-your-tongue-cliparts/

5. To have a beer belly : When you are a bit overweight and that turns out in a prominent belly, he he. 

From : http://www.thetwoangles.com/how-to-get-rid-of-a-beer-belly/

6. In the blink of an eye : It means 'very quickly'. He asked for his wish and he got it granted in the blink of an eye ! 

From : https://clipartfest.com/categories/view/0d5d652e9ed40c9db68cb32604aa4bf26f189892/blink-eyes-clipart.html

7. To have your head up in the clouds  : When someone is distracted. For instance, nowadays students have their heads up in the clouds. They never pay attention ! 

P.S. The opposite of this idiom is 'to keep your feet on the ground'

From : http://likesuccess.com/topics/16091/head-in-the-clouds

8. To gain / have the upper hand : To be victorious in something, to be one step ahead someone. Hillary Clinton was a good competitor, but, in the end. Donald Trump gained the upper hand ! 

From : http://likesuccess.com/topics/6268/study/33

9. Get something off my chest : When you finally do something unpleasant that you've been meaning to do for a long time and this brings you some relief or happiness : 'After some time, I told him the bad news. I needed to get it off my chest !'

From : http://www.savingmoneyinmissouri.com/a-few-things-i-just-need-to-get-off-my-chest/

10. To get cold feet : To become really nervous about a future uncertain event (e.g. a wedding). For example, people usually get cold feet the day before getting married. 

From : http://www.laurenslade.com/say-goodbye-to-cold-feet/

Well, did you enjoy my selection of body idioms ? Which one is your favourite ? Come on ! tell me in a comment !