Child Project Helper

Behind the Idioms - 1

2017-03-11T11:33:00.002+05:30

climb on the bandwagon=support a plan for personal profit; join in what appears to be a successful enterprise.

The band wagon is a large,horse-drawn carriage capable of carrying a music band heading a march or procession, especially that of a political party. In the 19th century, a political rally in the USA would be led by a music band playing on board a huge horse-carriage.( This was particularly so in the Southern States.) The carriage would wind its way through the streets of the town.

The political candidate would be up therewith the band,in the hope of winning popular support. At times he would be joined by some of his ardent supporters. And they would thus show off their loyalty.

However, the idiom came to be alive during the presidential campaign of William J Bryan early in the 20th century.

Note, please. The verb ‘ climb’ can be replaced by ‘board’ or ‘jump’. We can also say “ be on the bandwagon”.

Eg: Many politicians are very eager to climb on the environmental bandwagon.

Remember the Proverbs - 1

2017-03-11T10:02:00.004+05:30

Birds of a feather flock together
This proverb means that people of the same sort are found together.Or, people of the same kind seek out each other’s company.
This saying is obviously based on bird habits. Some birds fly or feed alone.Others gather together to fly or feed with their own kind.
The proverb has been in use since the 16th century. It refers to people with the same backgrounds or interests moving in the same circles. However, it carries a negative note of disapproval of another individual or group.
In the 17th century,the expressionwas used as a warning against keeping bad company. (Hence this use of the proverb in "Nonesuch Professor' by Thomas Secker in 1660.)
Thisline of disapprovalwas kept up in the 19th century, too. Lord Lytton thus described London underworld as a place of rogues. He used the same expression for it. ( Surely, Charles Dickens would approve of the same. And hewould say thatsuch rogueswere formed and fashioned in Fagin’s Academy!)
Wrongdoers are likely to find others of their own kind, and come together to do further evil.
Note, please. A similar idea occurs in the proverb, “ A man is known by the company he keeps”.

Learn a Word a Day - 1

2017-03-11T10:01:00.000+05:30

a) affidavit= written declaration of oath (സത്യവാങ്മൂലം)
b)affiliate = attach as a member (അംഗമായി കൈക്കൊള്ളുക )
c) affirm = declare solemnly (ഉറപ്പിച്ചു പറയുക )
d) affluence = abundance (സമൃദ്ധി)
e) afford = be able to give (കഴിവുണ്ടായിരിക്കുക)
f) afforest=turn land into forest (ധാരാളം മരങ്ങൾ വച്ചുപിടിപ്പിക്കുക)
g) affront =insult (അപമാനിക്കുക)

Some Select Phrases -1

2017-03-11T09:58:00.002+05:30

a) all over=in every part of (എല്ലായിടത്തും)
Eg: My father has travelled all over the world.
b) answer for = be responsible for (ഉത്തരവാദിത്വം ഉണ്ടായിരിക്കുക)
Eg: He has a lot to answer for because of his naughty children.
c) in any case = whatever happens (എന്തു സംഭവിച്ചാലും, എന്തായാലും)
Eg: In any case he should pass the test, and get employed.

Words That Confuse- 1

2017-03-11T09:53:00.003+05:30

a) auger / augur ‘Auger’ and ‘augur’ have nothing to do with each other, though they are pronounced alike. One is a tool. The other is a person. ‘Auger’ is a carpenter’s tool. It is used for making holes, usually in wood. The word is old Germanic in origin. It was adopted into English by craftsmen in the early Middle Ages.
‘Augur’ is a soothsayer, or a person who predicts the future from the observation of birds. (What he thus foretells, is called ‘ augury’. Augury is also the sign of the future. ‘Augur’ can be used as a verb.) The word is rooted in Latin.
b) aural / oral ‘Aural’ and ‘oral’ are pronounced alike. Both are adjectives. Hence the confusion. ‘Aural’ is related to the ‘ear’ and hearing. It is derived from Latin
‘ auris’= ear.
‘Oral’ is also of Latin origin. But it refers to ‘oris’= mouth. Therefore it has to do with speaking. Note, please. The confusion can be further confounding because ‘oral’ examinations are ‘aural’ as well