Read Someone Like a Book or Write a Book on Something

On this show, we explore words and expressions in the English language. We can also tell where they come from. And probably more importantly for those learning to speak English, we explain how and when we use these terms.

English Words and Their story: ‘Same Old Song and Dance’

Today, we talk about two activities that many people find really fun and one that makes them happy — singing and dancing! So, why is the expression “same old song and dance” not at all related to fun or happiness? That

English Words Beginning with Z

  zany zap zeal zealous zealously zebra zero zest zigzag zillion zinc zip ZIP code zipper zit zodiac zombie zone zoo zoological zoologist zoology zoom zoom lens zucchini  

English Words Beginning with Y

yacht yak y’all yam Yank yank Yankee yap yard yard sale yardstick yarmulke yarn yawn yd. yeah year yearbook yearling yearly yearn yearning years yeast yell yellow yellowish Yellow Pages yelp yen yep yes yesterday yet

English Words Beginning with W

wacky wad waddle wade wafer waffle waft wag wage wager wages wagon wagon train waif wail waist waistband waistline wait waiter waiting list waiting room waitress waive waiver wake waken walk walker walkie-talkie walk-in

English Words Beginning with V

vacancy vacant vacantly vacate vacation vacationer vaccinate vaccination vaccine vacillate vacuum vacuum cleaner vacuum-packed vagina vaginal vagrant vague vaguely vagueness vain vainly valedictorian valentine

English Words Beginning with U

ubiquitous ubiquity udder UFO ugh ugliness ugly uh uh-huh uh-oh uh-uh U.K. ulcer ulterior ultimate ultimately ultimatum ultrasonic ultrasound ultraviolet um umbilical cord umbrella umpire umpteen umpteenth UN unabashed

English Words Beginning with T

T. t. TA tab tabby tabernacle table tablecloth tablespoon tablespoonful tablet table tennis tabloid taboo tabulate tabulation tacit tacitly taciturn tack tackiness tackle tacky taco tact tactful tactfully tactic tactical

English Words Beginning with S

Sabbath sabbatical saber sabotage saboteur saccharin sack sacrament sacred sacrifice sacrificial sacrilege sacrilegious sacrosanct sad sadden saddle sadism sadist sadistic sadistically sadly sadness safari safe safe-deposit

English Words Beginning with R

rabbi rabbit rabble rabid rabies raccoon race racetrack racial racially racing racism racist rack racket racketeer racy radar radial radiance radiant radiate radiation radiator radical radically radii radio radioactive

English Words Beginning with Q

t. Q-tip quack quad quadrangle quadrant quadrilateral quadruped quadruple quadruplet quagmire quail quaint quake qualification qualified qualifier qualify qualitative quality quality control qualm quandary quantifier quantify