2004-11-28 Rocket Scientist
Hello, I’m Phil Marily with Words and Their Stories, a program in Special English. You do not need to be a rocket scientist. Americans hear these words often. People say…
2004-11-21 Circus
Now the VOA Special English Program — Words and Their Stories. Circus is a word with a long interesting history. It is a Latin word that means “ring” or “circle”.…
2004-10-17 Apple-Pie Order
Now the VOA Special English program Words and Their Stories. Today, we tell about the expression apple-pie order. It means in perfect order, very well organized. Nobody is sure where…
2004-09-26 Dutch
Now the VOA Special English program Words and Their Stories. Today, we tell about American expressions using the word “Dutch”. Many of the “Dutch” expressions heard in American English were…
2004-09-19 Fall Guys / Bum Rap
Now the VOA Special English program Words and Their Stories. Every week at this time, the Voice of America tells about popular words and expressions used in the United States.…
2004-09-12 Chicken Feed / Peanuts
I’m Susan Clark with Words and Their Stories, a program in Special English on the Voice of America. Almost every language in the world has a saying that a person…
2004-09-05 Expressions About Health
Now, the VOA Special English program Words and Their Stories. Many professions have their own words and expressions. This is true for the medical profession. Doctors use many technical terms…
2004-08-29 On a Short Leash / Mickey Mouse
I’m Susan Clark with the Special English program Words and Their Stories. Susan Cleveland is the young president of a candy company in the City of Chicago. Her father began…
2004-08-22 Dime
In the 1930s, a song “Brother, Can You Spare a Dime” was very popular in the United States. It was the time of the Big Depression. The song had meaning…
2004-08-08 Expressions Use Back, Shoulders, Chest
Now, the VOA Special English program, Words and Their Stories. (MUSIC) There are many American expressions that use parts of the body. These include the eyes, ears, nose, mouth and…
2012-11-11 Words and Their Stories: Top Brass
I’m Susan Clark with the Special English program WORDS AND THEIR STORIES. The Italians have an old saying, “Il dolce far niente.” The words mean it is sweet, or enjoyable,…
2012-10-28 Words and Their Stories: Military Expressions
This is Phil Murray with WORDS AND THEIR STORIES, a program in Special English on the Voice of America. We tell about some common expressions in American English. A leatherneck…
2012-10-21 Words and Their Stories: Baseball Terms
Now, the VOA Special English program WORDS AND THEIR STORIES. Baseball is America’s national sport. So it is not unusual that many popular expressions come from baseball. But first, let…
2012-10-14 Words and Their Stories: Fall Guy
Now, the VOA Special English program WORDS AND THEIR STORIES. Every week at this time, the Voice of America tells about popular words and expressions used in the United States.…
2012-10-07 Words and Their Stories: Mouth Expressions
Now, the VOA Special English program WORDS AND THEIR STORIES. People use their mouths for many things. They eat, talk, shout and sing. They smile and they kiss. In the…