Heartland English School – Word of the Day

Theme: Canadian Slang

Word: social   /ˈsōSHəl/   (noun)

Meaning: a fundraising party for a wedding or charity event (usually costs $10/ticket, has 50-50 draws, raffle prizes, food, and dancing)

Examples:

• I won Jets tickets at a wedding social last weekend.
• I’m going to a social this weekend to raise money for the Children’s Hospital.

Theme: Canadian Slang

Word: give’r   (verb)   mix of ‘give’ and ‘her’

Meanings: to try your best/put a lot of effort in, to start doing something, or to do something with a lot of energy

Examples:

Byfuglien was really given’er at the Jets game last night!

Are you ready to go? Let’s give’r!

I’ll practice hard and give’r!

Theme: Canadian Slang

Word: beauty /ˈbyo͞odē/  (noun)

Meaning: used to describe something as excellent

Examples:

• You got a new car? It’s a beauty!
• Did you see that hockey goal? It was a real beauty!

A: Nice coat!

B: Thanks. I picked this beauty up at a second-hand store.

Theme: Canadian Slang

Word: keener /ˈkēnər/  (noun)

Meaning: a person who is extremely eager or enthusiastic (usually for school/work)

Examples:

• He studied for his test all weekend. He’s a real keener!
• She’s a keener. She stays at work really late every day.

Theme: Things Signs Say

“SHOPLIFTERS WILL BE PROSECUTED”

Word:  prosecute   (v)   /prα-sI-kyut/

Meaning: Bring legal action against someone

Examples:

• If you shoplift, the store prosecute you. They will have you arrested by police and you will need to go to court.
• There will be two lawyers, the prosecuting attorney and the defense attorney.

Here are a few more common signs:

• “Help Wanted”
• “No Vacancies”
• “Limit: 5 Garments” (in the change room)
• “No Littering”

Theme: Things Signs Say

“NO SOLICITING”

Word:  solicit   (n)   /so-lI-sIt/

Meaning: Ask for money or help (from people or companies)

Examples:

• You can’t go into an office building and try to solicit donations for a charity.
• There is no soliciting allowed in this building.

Theme: Things Signs Say

“VEHICLES WILL BE TOWED AT OWNER’S EXPENSE”

Word:  tow   (v)   /to/

Meaning: Pull a vehicle with another vehicle

Examples:

• I parked in a no parking area and my car was towed away.
• If your car stops on the street, you need to call a tow truck to take it to a garage.

Theme: Things Signs Say

“NO LOITERING!”

Word:  loiter   (v)   /loi-tεr/

Meaning: Stand or wait around idly or without apparent purpose

Examples:

• Loitering is not permitted in this area.
• If you loiter near the doors of the building, security will come and ask you what you are doing.

Theme: Things Signs Say

“NO TRESPASSING!”

Word:  trespass   (v)  /trεs-pæs/

Meaning: Enter land or property without permission

Examples:

• You can not walk on land that is not public land. For example, you can not trespass through someone’s farm.
• You can get arrested for trespassing on fenced-off railroad property.

Theme: Adjectives Ending in –some

Word: cumbersome

Pronunciation:  /ˈkʌm·bər·səm/

Meaning: difficult to handle or use because it is too big or heavy

Example: My old laptop computer is so cumbersome. I want to get a tablet instead.