by Dictionary Scoop Sure, sheep are obedient, and geese are loud. But when did we decide to start calling each other by animal names? Since Biblical times, we’ve been dragging innocent animals into our human drama to describe each other’s worst behavior. Is that fair? Read on to see some of the animal …
Is Small Talk A Big Help In Making Friends?
by Kevin Burton Are we going today from sublime to ridiculous? Or is that just my bias? Yesterday we ran part of a Los Angeles Times story about making friends in our adult years. We finish that story, by reporter Seraphina Seow today. Psychologists interviewed by The Times, offered five suggestions for …
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Rediscovering The Lost Art Of Making Friends
by Seraphina Seow Los Angeles Times A friend of mine has been hoping to make new friends as a 26-year-old. She’s made every effort to put herself out there: joined clubs, volunteered, initiated catch-ups. But every time she establishes a new connection, it wanes after a few weeks. She suspects that it may be …
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Include These Spots When Cleaning House
by Dictionary Scoop Our home is our refuge. It takes hard work to make it and keep it a pleasant and cozy place. Vacuuming, mopping the floors, cleaning the bathrooms or the kitchen are probably part of your regular cleaning routine. However, there are certain places or objects that we all usually neglect …
Things Get Better With Age, If You Let Them
By Hannah Singleton National Geographic While aging is often portrayed as a slow decline, scientists say that view overlooks the bigger picture. “Everyone talks about aging as this decline,” said Michelle Feng, chief clinical officer at Executive Mental Health and a licensed psychologist who specializes in geriatric psychology and medicine. “But aging …
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Lean, Pray, Trust, Love, Just A Little Bit More
by Kevin Burton I needed this today and I thought some of you might need it too. This message is written on a 4-by-7 sheet of paper, not attached to anything else. I have it because I have helped my mother move three times in the last seven or eight years. Mom downsized …
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Countries That Have Changed Their Names
by Dictionary Scoop It is always a delicate matter when a country changes its name, as it signifies a shift not only for the geographical area but also for its inhabitants. The very identity of a nation is affected, which is why such changes are relatively rare. But they do happen. Not many …
Use A Variety Of Verbal Tools To Communicate
by Kevin Burton In my early studies in journalism I heard or read somewhere that a news reporter should write at a 10th-grade level. I never did that. I wouldn’t. I was very aware that I was talking to everyone, “broadcasting,” in the print news sense of the word, with the emphasis on …
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Where Your Favorite Cheeses Come From
by Dictionary Scoop Whether you're a cheese expert or just enjoy a good slice on your sandwich, you’ll enjoy this flavorful ride. There are fascinating stories behind the cheeses we eat every day. So, let’s take a trip around the world—one cheesy stop at a time—and explore ten places that gave these famous …
Healthy Phrases For A Healthy Vocabulary
by Dictionary Scoop Health is an important issue for everyone, and our language is proof of that! English offers us many health-related idioms with very interesting origins. To discover the meaning and roots of ten of them, read on! 1-An apple a day keeps the doctor away . You were probably just a child the first time …
