Sunday, March 9, 2014

Daylight Savings Time

DST starts in North America today.
Spring forward, fall back.
In the spring, we put our clocks forward one hour.
In the fall, we put our clocks back one hour.




http://www.timeanddate.com/worldclock/


Wednesday, March 5, 2014

base camp

'base camp' is an expression in mountain-climbing. It means: the buildings or tents at the bottom of the mountain where you start climbing.



Sunday, March 2, 2014

March comes in like a lion, but goes out like a lamb. ...

... is an old expression that means: The weather is cold at the beginning of March, but will be warm at the end of March.


Friday, February 21, 2014

Monday, February 17, 2014

rags-to-riches

This is an expression meaning: a person who starts out poor, but becomes rich ...
or a story about such a person.


Sunday, February 16, 2014

selfie

'selfie' is slang for a photo that you take of yourself, usually using a mirror.


Thursday, February 13, 2014

3-D printer


"3-D" means "three-dimensional".
A "3-D" movie is a movie where you wear special glasses, and it looks like objects are coming out of the movie screen towards your face.
A "3-D" printer is a new invention that can make objects out of plastic, or metal, or other materials, even food:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FVOVOe89TZ4

Sunday, February 9, 2014

Olympics

I think that they should have an Olympics where no one mentions what country any athlete was born in. ...


Tuesday, January 21, 2014

Robinson screwdriver / Philips screwdriver

A Robinson screwdriver has a square tip, and is only used in Canada.


A Philips screwdriver has a tip shaped like a cross.


Both screwdrivers come in various sizes.



Wednesday, January 1, 2014

Saturday, December 28, 2013

Friday, December 27, 2013

Boxing Day

Boxing Day, December 26, is the day after Christmas.

It is a statutory holiday in Canada. It is a holiday in the U.S., but not a statutory holiday.

In both countries, it is when most stores have big "Boxing Day" sales.

No one know why it's called "Boxing Day". It might be because everyone has a lot of empty boxes from Christmas presents.


Monday, December 23, 2013

Ice storm

When it rains and then the temperature drops to below zero, and the rain freezes, you have an ice storm.
Pretty to look at, but bad to drive in.
Also, the ice on the trees causes branches to fall and pull down electrical wires.





Monday, November 25, 2013

caroling

to carol - is a verb meaning: to sing Christmas carols (songs)

This was a common custom a long time ago, but it is very rare today




Monday, November 18, 2013

get all your ducks in a row ...

... is an expression which means: get organized

or: be prepared

Sunday, November 17, 2013

baklava

Baklava is a dessert from the Mediteranean countries, for example, Lebanon.
It has a lot of syrupy sugar on it.

Friday, November 15, 2013

Monday, November 11, 2013

"No two snowflakes are alike."


"Let sleeping dogs lie."

... is an expression that means:

Don't complain or try to change things, because the result might be bad.


This is a cat, not a dog, but you get the idea :)



Sunday, November 3, 2013