Monthly Archives: January 2011

31 Jan

Is it in the bag?

Who taught: Kim

Money in the bag (source: http://cicmusic.wordpress.com/)

As you know, I teach at Carnegie Mellon University (CMU). A few days ago, I stumbled upon a youtube video that is about the stereotypes of CMU. Typically, the workload at CMU is intense and heavy. Students spend a lot of hours in libraries and meeting rooms. From the comments on the video, I found one very funny saying among CMU students. They say that the campus was made up of two types of people “the fruits” (drama, fine arts) and “the vegetables” (science, engineering). Sadly (??!!), I was one of the vegetables because I graduated from the School of Computer Science (SCS). Consequently, I am now a vegetable grower since I teach computer science students. Well… vegetables are well known as healthy food. I will do my best to grow nice organic ones so that they can help people.

About two weeks ago, I heard a very happy news from my friend, Kim. She applied for the Fulbright scholarship program a few months ago. She changed her status on Facebook, saying that she passed the first round. I do not know how many people know the program but it is actually a huge one to get as a student in the U.S. I was so happy that I commented saying that, “Awesome! So happy to hear that!” Of course, there were her other friends who added comments. She replied, saying, “It is not in the bag yet. But I will keep you posted.”

Not in the bag… That was a new one to me. I am sure you guys can also understand what it means, right? So, I replied to her, “That is a new one and it will be going into my blog.” That is what is happening now.

If you know the etymology of the expression, you will definitely be able to feel the expression. Based on my research, this expression is from the 16th century. At that time, bird hunting was famous and hunters go out with a bag. When they finally retrieve a bird and put it in the bag, they now can declare that they catch a bird for sure.

Can you feel it? This is the question Jean asked me when I say that “In the bag is the new one to me!” I now feel the expression a lot better after knowing the etymology. How about you? Don’t you like to know etymology of new expressions? Here is today’s homework! Why don’t you ask your American friends whether they know the etymology of this expression? I bet many of them would not know which is not surprising at all. We just use many expressions of our mother tongue without thinking about their origins, don’t we?

26 Jan

big cheese

Who taught: Drew, Jon, Emily and Rachel

The big cheese (source : http://www.ohgeez.com/)

Last Saturday, Jessy and I went to see Pittsburgh Civic Orchestra’s concert. My friend Liz is the assistant concertmaster of the orchestra. It was awesome. We were able to see some young musicians. They are all teenagers but performed like professionals. We were able to see their passion in music. One of the most beautiful things in the world is, in my opinion, seeing someone doing something with passion and happiness. Having said that, I would love to quote part of the President Barack Obama’s speech yesterday at the State of the Union.

One mother of two, a woman named Kathy Proctor, had worked in the furniture industry since she was 18 years old. And she told me she’s earning her degree in biotechnology now, at 55 years old, not just because the furniture jobs are gone, but because she wants to inspire her children to pursue their dreams too. As Kathy said, “I hope it tells them to never give up.”

Very inspiring, isn’t it? At 55 years old, she decided to learn a new thing to pursue her dream. Hope I keep my passion at 55 or even older. Oh… and I also hope you do too.

Going back to the story being with my friends… Before the concert, we all went an Italian restaurant to have dinner together. During dinner, we talked about Emily’s story about her not properly being covered by health insurance. She has been waiting for a while to be covered by the company health insurance but did not happen yet. Hearing this, Drew said, “Who is the big cheese at your work? You should talk about it.” Well, based on the context, I was able to understand what they were talking about but the expression itself would not give any hint to me. The meaning of the expression is “most influential or important person in a group.”

I was so curious about the origin of the expression that I had to look it up. I found a few different theories but there is one very believable or probable. The Persian or Hindi word “chiz” means a thing. So, big cheese or big chiz is what? That’s right. It is a “big thing.” Now, are you a big cheese at your work? 🙂

I have a question. Can I say the big cheese in America is Barack Obama?

24 Jan

Is it edible?

Where : Walmart

Terry, groomsman!

About two and half years ago, one of my close friends got married and I was invited to the wedding as one of the groomsmen. It was a new experience for me because there is no groomsman and bridesmaid in Korea. Well, I was excited to be the part of the wedding.
By the way, it was so beautiful to see autumn leaves with yellow and red colors on the way to Philadelphia from Pittsburgh. I would recommend you to take highway 76 in fall, if you can. There is nothing but mountains and leaves but it is so beautiful.

On wedding day morning, the groom called me to buy a few bags of ice for the party. My friend, one of bride’s friends and I went to Walmart close to the wedding venue. And we took some other stuff and bags of ice. At a counter, I wanted to make sure whether the ice is fine to eat or not. So, I tried to ask the clerk, “Is this ice fine for us to put into drinks. blah blah blah,” and the clerk was looking at me, trying to understand me. In the middle of my asking, the bride’s friend said one thing, “Is the ice edible?” As soon as the clerk heard her, she answered very quickly, “Oh, yeah. I do eat and it should be totally fine to eat.”

At that moment, I was talking to myself, “Huh! I know that word, edible. How come have I not thought about it at all?” A little bit embarrassed, I acted like I do not care. But, I felt I am so stupid. How easy and simple is it? “Is it edible?” Even elementary school students can say that. Knowing words is totally different from using them in conversations. To be able to use an expression or word, you have to speak it as often as possible. To be honest, I have written 180 posts into this blog but I do not remember and have not used all of them. If you want to get better in speaking English, you have to speak English. There is no other shortcuts.

Let’s start from an easy one, shall we? “Is it edible?” I am not gonna forget that expression in the rest of my life. Also, don’t forget to check the proper pronunciation before you speak. If not, no one would understand you.

21 Jan

my knee’s been singing all day

Who taught : Manny

Pittsburgh’s winter must be really great for kids. Why? Schools are closed many times due to heavy snow and icy rain. Yesterday, we got snow again and schools are closed today. Not really good thing for parents at all. They need to figure out how to take care of kids and work.

I have to be honest. As much as I like PGH, I do not like this heavy snow at all. I know it sounds weird. But really hope one day PGH had mild winter! Maybe next year?

Speaking of weather, let me ask you a question. Do you feel a lot of pains during bad weather? Like in your back or ankle. Back in Korea, my mother used to say, “Looks like it is going to rain tomorrow. I have a lot of pains in my shoulders.” She was usually right. I am not sure whether this is scientifically true or not. Does anyone know?

A few weeks ago, I was watching a TV show, Modern Family. It is one of my favorite shows. So hilarious. Every episode is also very short like less than 30 mins. In the episode I watched, Manny who is a kid but acts like an adult used a very interesting expression. He said, “Do you think it is going to rain? I think it is because my knee’s been singing all day.” It was very interesting that he used a verb “sing” to describe that he has been feeling pains on his knee. Is it typical or is it just his way of speaking? I honestly do not know. Does anyone know? Or do you say in the same way?

A few weeks ago, I got injured on my knee, playing soccer, and I now feel pains. Not sure it is because of bad weather or my getting older. 🙂 The thing is I need to walk to the school today. Oh…. no!

18 Jan

poser

Who taught : Pat, Rachel, Phil, Kelly, Lauren and Sean

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. (Source: Wikipedia)

Yesterday was Martin Luther King Jr birthday. It is one of the national holidays. 48 years ago, he made “I have a dream” speech. Here is the part of it.

Let us not wallow in the valley of despair. I say to you today, my friends, that in spite of the difficulties and frustrations of the moment, I still have a dream. It is a dream deeply rooted in the American dream.

I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed. “We hold these truths to be self-evident that all men are created equal.”

I have a dream that one day out on the red hills of Georgia the sons of former slaves and the sons of former slaveowners will be able to sit down together at the table of brotherhood.

I have a dream that one day even the state of Mississippi, a desert state sweltering with the heat and injustice of oppression, will be transformed into an oasis of freedom and justice.

I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character.

I have a dream today.

I have a dream that one day the state of Alabama, whose governor’s lips are presently dripping with the words of interposition and nullification, will be transformed into a situation where little black boys and black girls will be able to join hands with little white boys and white girls and walk together as sisters and brothers.

I have a dream today. I have a dream that one day every valley shall be exalted, every hill and mountain shall be made low, the rough places will be made plains and the crooked places will be made straight and the glory of the Lord shall be revealed and all flesh shall see it together.

48 years later, I see a lot of things he mentioned in his speech actually happening even though there are still many steps to go. Isn’t amazing? One man can make a difference. One man who has a dream can make a big difference. I am sure all of us can be the man. Let’s have a dream, a big dream! It will come true.

A few weeks ago, I was with my friends. And we were talking about some people. During the conversation, Lauren used a word, “poser.” Hearing it, I sort of figured out that it has negative connotation. If you look up a dictionary, I am sure you will find the following definition.

A person who poses.

Huh! What the heck? It does not help at all. Anybody can pose, right? So, this is not usually the meaning of the expression when you hear this expression from your American friends. Here is the meaning my friends told me.

A person who likes to be seen in trendsetting clothesin fashionable bars, discos, etc.

A person who attempts to blend into a specific social group.

My friends tried to give me good examples and they said a skateboarder or a snowboarder can be a poser. (FYI, I am a snowboarder. 🙂 ) I think this expression is kind of hard to fully grasp and use it. Hey, my American friends! Do you have any other thoughts or examples to give in relation to Poser?