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Education
"Know your English"
"WHAT ARE you reading"
"Tell you later. First tell me how to pronounce c..h..a..g..r..i..n?'
"The `ch' is pronounced like the `sh' in `ship', `sheet', and `shelf'. The following `a' is like the `a' in `act', `apple', and `fact'. The second syllable is pronounced like the word `grin' and the main stress is on the first syllable. That's the way the British pronounce the word."
"You mean the Americans pronounce it differently"
"Yes. They pronounce the `a' like the `a' in `china'. As for the `i', well it sounds like the `ea' in `beat', `seat', and `meat'. The stress is on the second syllable."
"Wow, the Americans pronounce the word very differently!"
"That's right! Any idea what the word means"
"Not a clue."
"It's a feeling of disappointment or annoyance."
"Disappointment or annoyance, eh? I guess it's like watching our cricket team in action. How about this example? Much to Ganguly's chagrin he was out without scoring."
"We are so used to seeing our team losing abroad that I don't think that anyone is chagrined by their performance. Or should I say non-performance!"
"Mohan appeared chagrined when he was informed that he hadn't got the promotion."
"That's a good example. But remember, the word `chagrin' is normally used in formal contexts. So, can you tell me now what it is that you are reading"
"Some article about why we lost the test series in New Zealand."
"That's very simple. We always lose abroad because our batsmen don't know what to do when the ball rises above knee level."
"What are you talking about? We have the best batting line up in the world."
"Oh, please! Don't believe everything you hear on TV. The best batting line up in the world! That is so screamingly funny."
"Screamingly funny! Is it OK to say that something is screamingly funny"
"Yes, it is. When you say that a joke is screamingly funny, what you are implying is that it is extremely funny."
"So, `screamingly' means `extremely' in that context"
"That's right."
"So, can I say, the movie that I saw yesterday was screamingly boring"
"You certainly can. I found the comments made by our captain after he had lost the series screamingly funny."
"Why do you always have something nasty to say about our cricket team"
"Because I know that it razzes you. And I love razzing you."
"Razzes me? I haven't come across that expression before. What does it mean"
"This is an expression mostly used in informal contexts in American English. When you `razz someone' you tease the individual, often in an unkind manner."
"I see. So the next time you tease me, can I say, `Stop razzing me'."
"Yes, you can. Don't know if I will stop razzing you, though. Here's another example. At the wedding Sowmya as usual was razzing me about my rotten dress sense."
"The media will start razzing our players again."
"You think the players care? For them it's money first. Cricket, later."
"There you go again. Don't make fun of my heroes."
"OK. What are your plans for the evening"?
"I am going to my friend's house. He is having a New Year bash. What about you"
"Nobody has invited me. They all say that I am a party pooper."
"A party what"
"P..o..o..p..e..r. The `oo' sound like the `oo' in `cool', `fool', and `pool'."
"But what does the word mean"
"Do you know what `party animal' means"
"Of course, I do. A `party animal' is someone who loves attending parties. For example, I can say that Sunil is a party animal."
"A party animal is someone who enjoys parties and makes sure that others enjoy it too. A party pooper, on the other hand, is someone who ruins parties."
"How does he do that"?
"Either by leaving the party very early or by being extremely dull while he is there."
"I see. Can I say, don't invite Mukesh. He is such a party pooper."
"Sounds good to me. Please don't leave so early. Don't be a party pooper."
"Well, I have to go. Have to buy a couple of things for the party."
"Have a good time. By the way, Happy New Year!"
"Happy New Year!"
*** *** ***
"A bachelor is a selfish, undeserving guy who has cheated some woman out of a divorce." — Don Quinn
S. Upendran
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