All Reference Material articles – Page 6

  • Article

    Your English: Phrasal verbs: kick

    Tim Bowen considers the set of phrasal verbs formed when the verb to kick is combined with various particles.

  • Article

    Your English: Word grammar: hardly

    Tim Bowen discusses this versatile adverb.

  • Article

    Your English: Idioms: raining cats and dogs

    Tim Bowen considers alternatives to this entertaining idiom.

  • Article

    Word of the week: Trivial

    Have you ever been to a dinner party and tried to impress others with unimportant facts? Chances are that you engaged in some trivial conversation. Tim Bowen presents us with some trivia surrounding the origin of this Word of the week.

  • Article

    Word of the week: Laconic

    Tim Bowen delves into Greek history to explain the origin of this terse Word of the week.

  • Article

    Word of the week: Burly

    Ever encountered some burly bouncers on a rowdy night out or found yourself immersed in the hurly-burly of a busy market? Tim Bowen traces the origin of this stately Word of the week, all the way back to a lady's chamber...

  • Article

    Word of the week: Amok

    Have you ever had to deal with a classfull of students running amok? Well, it's happened to all of us. Tim Bowen whips up a frenzy with this rather odd Word of the week.

  • Article

    Word of the week: Glitz

    Have you ever dreamed of joining the Hollywood elite and walking down the red carpet at the Oscars? Well, you may just have been swept up in the glitz and glamour of the occasion. Let Tim Bowen dazzle you with his explanation as to why this word has not always ...

  • Article

    Word of the week: Bully

    Those of you who have ever been the victim of bullying probably wouldn't describe the bully in question as 'a fine young chap'. It seems that the meaning of the word bully has changed a lot since its Germanic origins. Tim Bowen has really done his homework with this Word ...

  • Article

    Word of the week: –monger

    You buy fish from a fishmonger, so you buy iron from an ironmonger, right? Well, not exactly! Tim Bowen spreads a few rumours with this political Word of the week.

  • Article

    Word of the week: Vandal

    Ever encountered an act of vandalism by a bearded barbarian? Unlikely perhaps, but you may have come across some modern instances of anti-social behaviour. Tim Bowen explains how this Word of the week has absolutely nothing to do with the Latin expression for facial hair.

  • Article

    Word of the week: Dapper

    Ever met a dapper little man or a vivacious lady? Tim Bowen takes a look at this gender-specific word of the week.

  • Article

    Word of the week: Camp

    Would you set up camp in a field or a forest? Perhaps you've found yourself wavering between opposing political camps whilst strolling through your University campus? Tim Bowen explains why there's more to this word than simply choosing where to pitch your tent.

  • Article

    Word of the week: Flagrant

    Do your students ever show a flagrant disregard for school rules? Perhaps you think that England were denied a blatant try in the rugby world cup? Tim Bowen looks at the fiery origins of this word of the week.

  • Article

    Word of the week: Bargain

    Ever bartered and bargained you way to a steal of the century? Or perhaps you ended up with a little more than you bargained for? Tim Bowen drives a hard bargain with this competitively-priced word of the week.

  • Article

    Word of the week: Freak

    Ever encountered something unnatural or out of the ordinary? Well you may just have witnessed a freak show! Let our resident language freak, Tim Bowen, freak you out with this Word of the week!

  • Article

    Word of the week: Sophisticated

    Ever been to a dinner party where the conversation was so terribly sophisticated that you found yourself wishing you had a sophisticated teleportation device? Tim Bowen looks at how this Word of the week has gradually changed in meaning.

  • Article

    Word of the week: Geezer

    Do you know someone who's a bit of a blinding geezer? Bumped into an old geezer in the street? Tim Bowen explains the meanings and origins of this word of the week.

  • Article

    Word of the week: Bogey

    Are you part of a losing team, bad at golf or suffering from a blocked nose? Well, according to Tim Bowen, you could have a triple case of the bogies. Take note of this unpleasant Word of the week or the bogeyman  might get you!

  • Article

    Word of the week: Ludicrous

    Ever witnessed a ludicrous illusion or colluded as part of an international political conspiracy? Confused? Tim Bowen explains the connection with this diverting word of the week.