Category: Notes on English

Here’s one from the front page of the International Herald Tribune … “Arms control talks break past logjam”

Well, I suggest you look up this word in Google Image to get a visual picture of what it means.  the “jam” part does not mean something made from fruit and sugar to put on your toast in the  morning … It’s more linked to the jam you may know in traffic jam:

stuck, not being able to go anywhere.

And this is something that can happen in negotiations, in discussions. We know lots of examples, don’t we?

Watch out for metaphors … they’re … picturesque.

Related Images:

In his recent article on the global “placeless,” Anand Giridharadas used these terms. I admit I had to look them up myself. This is what I found …. floating on the sea …

flotsam and jetsam.

Adopted.

Related Images:

One of the remarkable things in our highly possessive society is that no one “owns” words … we just adopt them.

There are those words that are our friends: we like to see them from time to time, they smile at us, we smile at them. They talk to us, we talk back, small talk, a little lunch chat … maybe more.

There are those words we read, those we think we understand, those too abstruse for our time, too.

And … there are words and expressions that we take a fancy to, that we really like. In the same way, we like to wear these jeans or that sweater or those funny socks or that old scarf … When you come across a word or a phrase you really like … why not adopt it? You’ll be giving a whole new life to those few letters who’ll make life for others more colorful!

Adopt a word today! They’re everywhere … just waiting for a little TLC.

TLC ? TLC = tender loving care … (something like love)

Related Images:

Isabelle S. sent me a nice message saying … “It’s a good news.” That, in fact, sounds a little like ssomething one of the Marx Brothers (or even my grandmother, may she rest in peace,  would have said:  … “Itsa good news …”

Nowadays, we’d probably just say: “Good News!” “What good news!” or “That’s good news!” or “Happy to hear such good news …”  and I am too, Isabelle. Because of the good news you sent along in the message:

Mark, I got a ‘Salon du livre’ ticket  for you … I’ll let you know…

Thanks, Isabelle!

Related Images:

In discussing the similarities and differences between cultures, one of the concepts that often comes up is this one: success.

In my many years in France, there are those who dream of “success” in the image of the American Dream: attaining wealth and status and whatever you might want to do with it.  There are those who adhere to the “work” ethic and suggest that the path to success is paved with work – usually hard work.

Related to the concept and word success is that of achievement.

Can the measure of success be a feeling of satisfaction? And what about achievement? Isn’t achievement more related to an objective standard: reaching a certain level?

What does success mean to you? Share your comments!!

Related Images:

“One good turn deserves another” or Good Karma ! That’s what this is all about.

When someone returns a favor (en français, un service … par amitié, par exemple), this expression applies. Suppose that, for example,  once upon a time, you gave some of your children’s childhood books or toys to someone with small children … with no expectation whatsoever of any compensation … and then later on, he returns the favor … by helping you … or even tutoring your children in his specialty …. Why, I’d say … “One good turn deserves another” and deeper friendship is the real, positive result!

Related Images:

and here’s an article by Ben Zimmer just about this underused marvel:

the semicolon.

Related Images:

I can’t say that this question prevented me from getting a good night’s sleep but maybe it should.

Nonetheless, when I woke up, the question was going through my brain: Just what do they mean when they talk about “sustainability” ? Is it ecology? Is it perennial? Is it anything “green”?

“Acting responsibly  in accordance with what we know about our environment” is sort of what I come to. Here’s what a specialist has to say:

MIT urban studies prof Judy Layzer.

Thank you for helping us out, Judy.

Related Images: