by Dictionary Scoop Ever encountered a word in another language that seemed familiar but left you confused? False cognates—words that appear similar but have unrelated meanings—are the culprits. These false friends can sometimes lead to hilarious or embarrassing misunderstandings, especially for language learners. Here are ten examples that demonstrate just how deceptive languages …
Author Archives: burtonmedia7
Garage Sale Principle On A Grand Scale
by Kevin Burton It is garage sale season in my hometown. The new-to-you possibilities are fun to think of. But one company has taken this concept beyond fun to sublime. What if the furniture that is a little too old to live up to the image that major companies seek to project, …
Five Household Items You Need To Clean More
by Matt Fuchs Time Magazine We often overlook the dirtiest items in our homes because grime is invisible (think bacteria) or accumulates too gradually for us to notice. Another factor: our brains tend to tune out the appearance of familiar, everyday objects, in a phenomenon called attentional blindness. This means we’re least likely …
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Des Moines Isn’t Boring, Really, I Mean It
by Kevin Burton Did you know there is a Memphis, Missouri? Fewer than 2,000 people live there. We came perilously close to joining them on vacation two weeks ago. We had planned to see the big Memphis – the BB King-Jerry Lee Lewis-Johnny Cash Memphis – but a flood warning for the …
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Mark Twain And Hannibal To The Rescue
by Kevin Burton Thirty-six little hours before we were to set sail for Memphis, my wife Jeannette checked the weather. And we never set sail for Memphis. The National Weather Service had issued a flood warning covering Memphis at exactly the same time we had planned to hit town. That sort of …
This Girl Had A Pocket Full Of Determination
by Kevin Burton It’s girl power times three on Page 7 today. The third story is about car repair, the first two about clothing, beginning with my favorite, a rare tale of a big company responding to consumers. All three are from the Good news Network: “A young English schoolgirl named Georgia …
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When The Chips Were Down, I Came Through
by Kevin Burton Briefly, I stuck to my guns, relied on my own resources, ever so briefly. And I can’t tell you why. This was misguided, but I rebounded quickly and it all worked out. It was just after 8 p.m. and my wife Jeannette approached, walking with purpose into the mancave …
What Will You Do With Jesus This Easter?
by Kevin Burton The credentials of Jesus, and your response. If you boil it all down isn’t that life in a nutshell, the answer to the 60s question, “what’s it all about Alfie?” The Bible says Jesus is the son of God, that He came to earth in the form of a …
Here’s Some Much-Needed Comic Relief
by Dictionary Scoop Charlie Chaplin once said that a day without laughter is a wasted day, and we couldn’t agree more. In a world where humor is often overshadowed by seriousness, people with the ability to laugh at themselves and the silliness of life are like a refreshing breeze on a hot summer day. …
Words Whose Standard Spelling Has Changed
by Dictionary Scoop Just as a river constantly flows yet maintains its continuity, languages change and evolve over time. Words can shift in spelling, alter their meanings, or branch into entirely new concepts while retaining the essence that once defined them. Even in modern times, with dictionaries and education standardizing pronunciations and definitions, notable differences …
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