Word of the day: nippy
After an Indian summer – a period of warm weather in autumn, a time when it’s usually pretty cold –
Read more.3rd December 2018
Phrase of the day: When I win the lottery
Almost everyone who has learned English in class has probably had that lesson where you study second conditionals. In a
Read more.12th November 2018
Word of the day: schlep
In a recent post on the word pogrom, we looked at language connected to the dark human tendency to blame
Read more.6th November 2018
Word of the day: pogrom
Recently, in a break from the norm, the Guardian newspaper here ran a whole series of features on the capital
Read more.22nd October 2018
Word of the day: march
A march is when a large group of people walk down the streets protesting against something – or in support
Read more.3rd October 2018
Word of the day: the all-clear
As anyone who has ever watched a loved one fight against it will know, cancer is a truly horrible disease.
Read more.2nd October 2018
Chunk of the day: dark horse
A week or so ago, I gave a talk at a conference for English language teachers in Liestal, in the
Read more.23rd September 2018
Phrase of the day: not bat an eyelid
One of the things that our students often comment on when they come to London is the fact that they
Read more.15th September 2018
Phrase of the day: go with the flow
My preferred way of getting around London is by bike. I usually cycle in and out of town, and on
Read more.6th September 2018
Phrase of the day: making a rod for your own back
I had dinner round at a neighbour’s place the other week. Our kids go to the same school, which is
Read more.29th August 2018