Relax, Refresh your English knowledge 24
116. What is the meaning of ‘cousin twice removed'?
In India, anyone who is distantly related to us automatically becomes our cousin. For the native speaker of English, a cousin is someone who has the same grandparents as you. Your first cousin, for example, is your aunt's or uncle's child; the two of you are from the same generation. The word ‘removed' is normally used with cousins to suggest that the two individuals are from different generations. For example, when you say that someone is your ‘cousin, once removed', you mean that there is a generation separating the two of you. Your mother's/father's first cousin can be referred to as your ‘cousin, once removed'. Similarly, your grandparent's cousin will be your ‘cousin, twice removed': there is a difference of two generations between the two of you. This two generation difference equals ‘twice removed'.
117. What is the meaning and origin of ‘give someone the bird'?
This is an expression mostly used in the world of theatre. When you give an actor the bird, you make fun of his performance; you hiss or boo him off stage.*Tanuja was given the bird when she forgot her lines.
The original expression was ‘to give someone the goose'. I understand geese make hissing sounds when they are angry or feel threatened. When an actor did a bad job, he was hissed off stage. With the passage of time, ‘goose' was replaced by ‘bird'.
118. What is the meaning of ‘open a can of worms'?
When you open a can of worms, you are creating problems for yourself or for someone else. You are making the existing situation worse than what it is. One may create this problem intentionally or unintentionally. It is also possible to say ‘open up a can of worms'.
*The statement by the Minister has opened up a can of worms.
*Please don't even mention his sister. If you do, you'll be opening a can of worms.
In the U.S, it was common practice for stores near the lake side to make fresh bait available for those interested in fishing. Earthworms were dug up, put in cans, and sold. When the fisherman opened the can, some of the wriggling worms fell out. Picking the slimy things up, and putting them back in the can was not an easy thing to do. By opening the can of worms, the fisherman had created problems for himself.
119. How is the word ‘eulogy' pronounced?
The first syllable is pronounced like the word ‘you', and the following ‘o' like the ‘a' in ‘china'. The ‘g' sounds like the ‘j' in ‘jam', ‘juice', and ‘jump', and the final ‘y' like the ‘i' in ‘it', ‘bit', and ‘sit'. The word is pronounced ‘YOU-le-ji' with the stress on the first syllable. It comes from the Greek ‘eulogia' meaning ‘good or fine language'.
A eulogy is usually a speech given at someone's funeral or at the time of his retirement. The speech or the piece of writing is usually highly complimentary; it praises the individual to the skies. Eulogies can be written about things as well.
*I hated the man. How can you expect me to write his eulogy?
120. What is the origin of the word ‘indigo'?
The word ‘indigo' comes from the Greek ‘indikos' meaning ‘from India'. Why did the Greeks associate this bluish purple colour with India? I understand that our country was the primary supplier of the indigo dye to the Greeks and most other nations in Europe.
A collection from the Open Page Supplement of The Hindu Newspaper
Courtesy: Sri Upendra, the writer of the above
Courtesy: Sri Upendra, the writer of the above
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