The English Blog

Cartoon: Fifty Shades of Grey

BACKGROUND
Days after the highly anticipated, too-sexy-for-TV trailer for “Fifty Shades of Grey” aired, critics are calling for the film to be banned or pleading with moviegoers to skip it. The Parents Television Council lambasted NBC, which aired the movie trailer on Thursday during “The Today Show,” for promoting the film, according to The Telegraph. The watchdog group said the trailer, which was edited to omit some sexually suggestive scenes, should not have been aired at 8 a.m. when children would be watching. Read more >>

THE CARTOON
The cartoon by Matt from the Daily Telegraph shows a man who has been blinfolded and tied to a chair. His wife tells her friend, "It's to stop him watching the 50 Shades of Grey Trailer".

EXPLANATION
Do you really need one? If so, just watch the trailer!

VOCABULARY
1. A trailer is an advertisement for a film or television programme that shows a short part of that film or programme.
2. Note that the English spelling of 'grey' is used even in an American context (where it is usually spelt 'gray') because it's a play on the name of the, er, dominant, male protagonist Christian Grey.

Related articles

Fifty Shades of Grey trailer causes outrage in America

Fifty Shades of Grey Trailer Blasted By PTC; Group Decries Mommy Porn, Sexual Violence

'Fifty Shades of Grey' Trailer Reaches Almost 7 Million Views in First 24 Hours

TEASE: 'FIFTY SHADES OF GREY' Trailer Released...

Family Values Group Unimpressed With The New Fifty Shades of Grey Trailer

Newsy Video: University Quiz Implies Atheists Are Smarter Than Christians

Ohio State University has come under some fire after a quiz in a required course implied atheists are inherently smarter than Christians. An OSU student shared screen shots of this quiz from the school's core psychology class with Campus Reform. "Theo has an IQ of 100 and Aine has an IQ of 125. Which of the following statements do you expect to be true? Well, the correct answer is: Aine is an atheist, while Theo is a Christian." The student, who wished to remain anonymous, told Campus Reform: "It didn't surprise me to see the question, which is a sad thing. ... But how can you really measure which religion has a higher IQ?" Full transcript >>

Related articles

Quiz implies atheists smarter than Christians

No, an Ohio State Class Did Not Teach That Christians Are Dumber Than Atheists

Ohio State University core class teaches that atheists are smarter than Christians

Ohio State Teaches Atheists are Smarter Than Christians

Words in the News: Seize

Every driver in a crash will have their mobile seized in a bid to cut deaths caused by phoning and texting at the wheel. Police have been ordered to check if motorists broke the law by using their phones in the moments before any accident. The move is likely to see mobiles being taken away by officers as evidence in prosecutions. Police chiefs believe it is necessary to combat the growing numbers killed or seriously injured because drivers are distracted. The move was welcomed last night by charities and pressure groups who have accused police and politicians of failing to make road safety a priority. Full story >>

VOCABULARY
To seize (= 'sees') is to take something using official power and force. • Customs officials have seized 100 kilos of cocaine.

Related articles

Distracted Driving: Are We Driving Safely? [Infographic]

4 kilos of cocaine seized in traffic stop, driver tries to run

Blimps Billboards Distracted Driving

Saskatchewan police chiefs won't push for power to seize cellphones from repeat distracted drivers

Caught on film, distracted drivers applying make-up and brushing their teeth at wheel

Cartoon: High Jump

BACKGROUND
The Commonwealth Games are taking place in Glasgow, running from Wednesday 23 July (which features the opening ceremony) through to Sunday 3 August. Read more >>

THE CARTOON
The cartoon by Paul Thomas from the Daily Express shows UK Prime Minister David Cameron and some of his cabinet colleagues watching the high jump event at the Commonwealth Games live on TV. Cameron comments, "If Russia was in the Commonwealth, Putin would be for the high jump ..."

EXPLANATION
If you say that someone is (in) for the high jump, you mean that they are going to be punished because they have done something bad or are responsible for something that failed. • She'll be for the high jump when her mother finds out she's been smoking. Cameron is, of course, referring to Russian President Vladimir Putin's supposed involvement in the shooting down of Malaysian Airlines Flight 17 over Eastern Ukraine last week.

GRAMMAR
Note the use of the second conditional to talk about an unreal possibility. See The English Club for more on this grammar point.

Related articles

Cartoon: Putin the Airplane Hunter

Cartoon: Commonwealth Games Begin

Cameron: Putin must halt all support for Ukraine rebels

Putin tells Cameron it's vital to refrain from hasty conclusions until crash probe is over

Alex Salmond wants UN-led probe into plane crash over Ukraine

Newsy Video: Air Algerie Plane Crash Found, Now Search For Cause Begins

Officials from Burkina Faso say they've found the wreckage of the plane carrying 116 people that went missing Thursday morning, though they still don't know what caused it to crash. The head of the country's crisis unit says the wreck was discovered in neighboring Mali, about 60 miles south of Gao, but, sadly, he said there were no survivors. ​Now that the plane has been found, the next step is to find out what went wrong. Full transcript >>

Related articles

Wreckage of Algeria plane found

Passenger Plane Wreckage Found In Mali

Wreckage of Air Algerie plane carrying 116 people found in Mali - Reuters UK

Mali president says plane wreckage spotted in north

Air Algerie jet with 116 on board crashes in Mali

Words in the News: Bake

BRITAIN will bake in scorching temperatures for at least another two weeks, making this one of the hottest summers ever. The red hot weather will continue well into August, with highs reaching 90F (32C), forecasters said last night. The news will delight “staycationers” who have shunned foreign resorts in favour of ­holidaying in Britain as schools break up. Temperatures in much of the UK will rival or even outshine Mediterranean hotspots like Spain and Italy. Full story >>

VOCABULARY
To bake is an informal way of saying to be very hot. • It's baking in here! Can I open a window?

Related articles

Words in the News: Heatwave

Cartoon: Summer Barbecue

Scorching summer here to stay with highs of 90F

Mediterranean temperatures in Britain today

Heatwave: 'UK Will Be Hotter Than Ibiza'

Cartoon: Commonwealth Games Begin

BACKGROUND
Tartan-clad performers, spinning oversized Tunnock's tea cakes and a giant kilt were among the highlights at a feel-good Commonwealth Games 2014 opening ceremony on Wednesday night. The Queen officially opened the games before a 40,000-strong crowd in Glasgow's Celtic Park with millions more expected to watch on television. Thousands of athletes from 71 nations and territories took part. They entered the stadium after the live show, which had a cast of around 2,000. The Queen declared the Games open by reading her own message from inside the Commonwealth baton. Read more >>

THE CARTOON
The cartoon by Paul Thomas from the Daily Express shows the Queen and Prince Philip at the opening ceremony of the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow. The Queen, who is wearing a parachute, says, "The parachute? I'm hoping I might be jumping out of a plane again ..."

EXPLANATION
The queen is referring to the opening ceremony for the 2012 London Olympics when a stuntman dressed as Her Majesty jumped out of a helicopter (not a plane) and landed just outside the Olympic Park (watch video at 4:40). And see this earlier Paul Thomas cartoon which uses a similar idea.

QUIZ
How many celebrities can you spot in the cartoon? There's Rod Stewart, Susan Boyle, Prince Charles, the Duchess of Cornwall, and David Cameron. 

GRAMMAR
Note the use of 'might' to express possibility. See Oxford Dictionaries for more on using 'might'.

Related articles

Cartoon: One lump - shaken not stirred ...

Scotland welcomes the commonwealth

Commonwealth Games 2014: Glasgow is first winner with opening ceremony

Commonwealth Games fans gather in Glasgow for the opening ceremony as 1bn people tune in

Cartoon: Skyfall's Royal Premiere

Newsy Video: Professor Creates Site Revealing Where People's Cats Live

A Florida State University professor has created a project that tracks your cat pictures and then figures out where that cat lives. Wait ... seriously? ​It's called I Know Where Your Cat Lives, and you can keep hitting the "Random Cat" button to find more real cats all over the world and their exact geographical locations. Full transcript >>

Related articles

Interactive map lets you cyberstalk cats using 1 MILLION geotagged photos on social media

What one man's cat-tracking map can tell us about privacy settings

Cat Photos Expose Privacy Concerns

Site reveals where people's cats live

Reuters Video: Cats main attraction at London café

Words in the News: Poultry

Three of the UK’s leading supermarkets have launched emergency investigations into their chicken supplies after a Guardian investigation uncovered a catalogue of alleged hygiene failings in the poultry industry. Undercover footage, photographic evidence and information from whistleblowers has revealed how strict industry hygiene standards to prevent the contamination of chicken with the potentially deadly campylobacter bug can be flouted on the factory floor and on farms. Full story >>

VOCABULARY
Poultry [U] is birds such as chickens and ducks that are kept on farms in order to produce eggs and meat. Poultry is also the meat from such birds. • There is plenty of evidence that eating more poultry is good for your health.

Related articles

Supermarkets check chicken supplies

Two-thirds of fresh retail chicken in UK could be contaminated with potentially lethal bacteria

Reuters Video: Egg-centric poultry fan opens chickennel

Video: Word Crimes

This parody of Robin Thicke's "Blurred Lines" should appeal to grammar nerds! It is one of eight videos released by Weird Al Yankovic over the past week to mark the release of his new album, "Mandatory Fun." The videos did their job: the album debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard charts with more than 80,000 units sold.

COMMENT
The lyrics (see here) contain some useful grammar lessons, but it's worth noting that the use of the word 'spastic' in the line "That was sarcastic, ’cause you write like a spastic" would be totally inappropriate in British English, as in the UK it is considered an offensive way to refer to disabled people.

Related articles

'Word Crimes', A Parody of Robin Thicke's Song 'Blurred Lines' by 'Weird Al' Yankovic

Grammar Nerds Will Love Weird Al's Latest Parody

"Weird Al" shares "Word Crimes," an inventive parody of Robin Thicke's "Blurred Lines"

'Weird Al' on his weirdly successful week in music

Weird Al still making fun of hit songs

Cartoon: Sending a Clear Signal

BACKGROUND
Despite widespread anger over the downing of Malaysian Airlines Flight 17, European nations have shied away from measures that would further isolate Russia. Dependent on Russian gas and oil, wary of confrontation on the Continent and alive to the fact of Russia’s proximity, Europe’s leaders have largely decided they will have to live with a newly assertive Russia. Read more >>

THE CARTOON
The cartoon by Adams from the Daily Telegraph features German Chancellor Angela Merkel and French President François Hollande. In the first panel, they are speaking with one voice: "We must send a very clear signal to Russia." In the second panel they are both waving white flags.

EXPLANATION
Waving a white flag is an internationally recognized sign of surrender. Neither Germany, which is dependent on Russian oil, and France, which is in the process of selling two Mistral warships to Russia, wants to risk upsetting President Putin with harsh sanctions.

Related articles

MH17: EU imposes new sanctions on Russia over Ukraine

As Anger Rises Over Crash, Malaysian Government Is Reluctant to Assign Blame

Cartoon: Bear Baiting

Russia faces threat of further sanctions

EU to rethink Russian relations in wake of MH17 tragedy

Newsy Video: Will 'Kindle Unlimited' Get Amazon In More Legal Trouble?

In continuing its "let's give our customers all the things" ideology, Amazon has launched "Kindle Unlimited." Amazon unveiled the service Wednesday in a promotional video. "Introducing Kindle Unlimited, the freedom to explore over 600,000 titles and thousands of audio books in the palm of your hand." The service will cost you $9.99 a month, and includes unlimited access to books and audio books galore. ... well, sort of. Full transcript >>

Related articles

Amazn officially unveils eBook subsciption service Kindle Unlimited

Amazon unveils Kindle Unlimited subscription

Reuters Video: New Kindle lights fire under rivals

Amazon offers unlimited reading with new Kindle subscription

Amazon unveils e-book subscription service with unlimited access

Words in the News: Extremism

A raft of reforms to school accountability, including an education commissioner for Birmingham, inspections of city academy chains and new oversight of school governors, were announced on Tuesday by the education secretary in response to a damning report into extremist infiltration of schools. Nicky Morgan said that in the future teachers would be sacked without appeal if it was proven that they have failed to protect pupils or promote British values by exposing children to extremist speakers. The moves followed the publication on Tuesday of a report showing there had been a co-ordinated attempt to take over a small group of Birmingham schools by a group of politicised Sunni Muslim extremists. Full story >>

VOCABULARY
Extremism is the holding of extreme political or religious views that are considered to be unreasonable by most people • The economic extremism from the far right could have set the United States far off course.

Related articles

Cartoon: School Photo

Labour MP accuses Government of fuelling 'culture wars' in Birmingham schools

'Clear evidence' of schools plot

Leaked report reveals 'aggressive Islamist agenda' in Birmingham schools

Fears of Islamophobia gave activists free rein in Birmingham schools

Cartoon: The Prince George Effect

BACKGROUND
It's Prince George's first birthday, today and since his first public appearance aged one day, royal baby watchers have been rushing to buy up whatever babywear brand he happens to be wearing — the so-called "Prince George effect". In the official birthday photos taken a few weeks ago, George is dressed in a pair of dungaree shorts from French label Petit Bateau, over a polo shirt-style top and shoes and socks. Read more >>

THE CARTOON
The cartoon by Paul Thomas from the Daily Express shows a couple having a picnic in the park with their young son. Both father and son are wearing matching blue-striped dungarees (just like those worn by Prince George). The wife tells her husband, "I'll be honest — I think dungarees look better on our son." Of course, the joke is that the man looks stupid dressed in baby-style dungarees.

VOCABULARY 
Dungarees are a piece of clothing consisting of trousers and a square piece of cloth that fits over your chest, held up by narrow pieces of cloth over your shoulders. The American word is overalls. According to Oxford Dictionaries, the word dungarees comes from the Hindi duṅgrī meaning a kind of coarse Indian calico.

Related articles

Prince George wears Petit Bateau dungarees for cute solo portrait

Prince George's birthday photographer: 'He's quick on his feet'

Prince George puts his best foot forward as Queen prepares to be birthday guest of honour

Want To See Prince George's Official First Birthday Photo? Course You Do...

Prince George picture released

Newsy Video: $23.6 Billion Awarded To Widow In Smoking Lawsuit

A Florida jury awarded a smoker's widow one of the largest ever legal wins against a tobacco company — a whopping $23.6 billion in punitive damages. Cynthia Robinson sued the R. J. Reynolds Tobacco Company, maker of Camel cigarettes and other tobacco products, for not informing her husband that cigarettes are addictive and can cause lung cancer. Full transcript >>

Related articles

Widow of chain smoker killed by lung cancer wins $23 billion payout from tobacco firm

Florida jury awards widow of chain smoker $23 billion

Fla. jury slams RJ Reynolds with $23.6B in damages

Widow of chain smoker awarded £13.4bn in punitive damages against tobacco company

Reuters Video: Big tobacco ready to light e-cigarettes