Angličtina na iDNES.czSince English is largely a literal language, most expressions are easy to understand. However, there are plenty of them that depend on one simple thing: how well you understand English vocabulary. Other expressions are also influenced by culture as well.
For today, let’s review the expression “To keep at arm’s length” and examine what it means in American English, British English, and yes, even Indian English; which today especially, is now a peculiar mixture of British English, “Indianisms” and American English.
At Arm’s Length
In American and British English, the adjective “arm’s length” means to keep something away from you at a safe distance.
Examples: “Our boss said to make sure that we keep those lawyers at arm’s length, or we might be in some serious trouble” or “I want to keep him at arm’s length, I don’t know what his reaction will be when he finds out I am going to marry his girlfriend.”
While these are extreme examples, the point here is that “arm’s length” means essentially “distance” -- to be kept away from something.
American/UK vs. Indian English
In India, there are hundreds of millions of people who speak English. India is in fact overtaking China in world population, and during the next 15 years it is actually expected to surpass China economically.
In “Indian English” (which is a mixture of British English, Indian culture, and now American English thanks to India’s hot IT sector and it closer ties to the USA), “to be kept at arm’s length” means just the opposite: it means to keep something CLOSE to you, since an arm is not very long!
Jokes and Riddles of the Day1. Q: How many computer software programmers does it take to change a light bulb?
A: None. Sorry, that’s a hardware problem.
2. How many Klingons does it take to change a light bulb?
A: Two. One to do it, and the other to kill him and claim the credit.
3. Q: How many Psychologists does it take to change a light bulb?
A: Only one. But it takes a very long time, and the light bulb really has to be willing to be changed.
4. Q: How many White House staffers does it take to change a light bulb?
A: None. They always like to keep the President of the United States in the dark.
5. Q: How many lawyers does it take to screw in a light bulb?
A: It depends on many you can actually afford.
|
Key Article Words in Englishgrows every day = roste každý den |
Kalovi můžete psát na adresuAngličtina
vychází od pondělí
do pátku.
Najdete ji také v bezplatném deníku
Metropolitní expres.
