Words November 2024 Week 1

It reminded me of a coworker. (While talking with an old friend, she remembered an old coworker.)

I clenched my teeth. (Clenching your teeth means squeezing your teeth together tightly and tightening the muscles in your jaw.)

The tooth was infected. (She was given some antibiotics, and the dentist said it would be best to remove, or pull, the tooth.)

I felt like I won 300,000,000 yen. (She felt very lucky.)

Judas, the apostle who betrayed Jesus, was the thirteenth guest at the Last Supper.

In Viking mythology, Loki, the god of mischief and deception, was the thirteenth guest at a dinner of the gods, where he tricked another goddess into killing the god Baldur. (These are two reasons why the number 13 is considered unlucky.)

I have had itchy skin after getting the COVID vaccination. (He didn’t have the problem before getting the vaccinations.)

I have pollen allergies. (He is allergic to eight different pollens.)

Try to understand the meaning of a word used in context. (Try to understand the meaning of a word based on the other words in the sentence or paragraph.)

How often should we wash our hair? Oily hair: Every day to prevent the buildup of dirt. 

Dry/damaged hair: Every 5-7 days to allow your hair's natural oils to be retained on the scalp. Fine/thin hair: Every other day to provide your hair with enough moisture.

Wavy/curly hair: Every 4-5 days, depending on the density of your hair. (During the Heian Era, women washed their hair twice a year but combed it five times a day.)

Chorine is added to swimming pool water to kill germs. (You should shower after swimming.)

A prank is a practical joke or mischievous act. (A famous classical prank was when a guy turned the volume on his friend’s notebook pc to very loud. When his friend started his pc in a college library, the loud musical not that is played while the computer is booting up couldn’t be stopped. It lasted almost one minute. You can Google “Prangstgrup Powerbook Start up Sound Prank youtube” to see the video.)

The acoustics in the hall are not good. (The sound was not so great in the large room.)

There is a moat around the imperial residence. (Moats were filled with water to protect the castles.)

Wood chips are common for natural mulch, but plastic mulch is more popular. (I use natural in my flower garden and plastic in my vegetable garden.)

A hearse is also called a funeral car, and it carries the body of the deceased person. (If one passes by you, hide your thumbs.)

Japan is famous for its weird gadgets. (Hitori de Karaoke DX, Shoe Deodorizing Machine, Mini Desktop USB Washing Machine, Monica Minolta Kunkun Body Odor Checker, Compact Balcony Rain Sensor, Eco Melody 3201 Toilet Sound Blocker, Kaltech Turned K Wearable Personal Disinfectant, Metex Butter Grater, Camera Mouse, and Chopstick Fan. Here is a link to view photos and descriptions of these gadgets: https://zenmarket.jp/en/blog/post/12427/weirdest-japanese-gadgets )

The ring bearers were her pet Bichon dogs. (This dog breed is very cute.)

The cosmos petals were falling off. (The flowers were starting to wither.)

My right foot hurt very much. (Don’t say “very hurt”.)

He is in his 40s. (He is forty-something years old.)

The term "sister city" is used instead of "brother city" because the term "sister" because nations historically have been referred to as “she.” (Ships are called “she” because Amphitrite was the Greek goddess of the sea, and a statue of her image was often displayed on the front of ships.)

The term “mental disability” is acceptable. (The word “handicapped” is outdated and unacceptable.)

He spoke on behalf of the mayor. (He spoke for the mayor.)

The hula dancers livened up the audience. (They gave the audience energy.)

“For instance” is a synonym for “for example.” (“For instance” is more formal and “for example” is more common.)