193 - Sharks, Swamps, and Sweet Tea: Our Wild Trip to South Carolina
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In this casualĀ Chats with ShanaĀ episode, Iām taking you along on our sweaty summer trip to Charleston, South Carolina. š“
Youāll hear about:
MiloāsĀ first vacationĀ (spoiler: heās a sand-digging pro)
Dining outside in 95° heat⦠while swatting a swarm of flies
WhyĀ Folly BeachĀ is a top spot for shark attacksāand why we still went
A surprise encounter with aĀ horseshoe crabĀ under the pier
The iconic rowboat scene fromĀ The Notebookāyep, we went!
TastingĀ frog legsĀ and learning aboutĀ frog gigging
The Southern tradition of painting porch ceilingsĀ "haint blue"Ā to keep away spirits
Plus, fun facts about pineapples, sweet tea, ghost tours, and more!
You'll also learn natural expressions likeĀ āsweating bullets,ā āthe cherry on top,ā āfood for thought,āĀ andĀ āto keep something at bay,āĀ all explained as we go.
So grab an iced tea (sweet, of course) and join me for a fun and language-packed adventure through the Palmetto State. šš¦š
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10 Must-Know Southern Foods
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192.2 - American Bison (or Buffalo!)
You may be wondering:Ā Whatās the difference between a buffalo and a bison?Ā That was the first question I had when researching this topic. And the answer isāwell, a lot. Despite being from the same family (Bovidae), bison and buffalo have different hair, different horn shapes, and different temperaments. Bison are known to be a little bit moody!
So, which one lives in the United States? Technically, bison, but most native English speakers from the U.S. call the bison that roam here ābuffalo.ā
In todayās episode, youāll learn about these incredible creatures, the mass slaughter of them on behalf of the U.S. government, and their comeback after being nearly extinct.
I learned so much while making this episode. I hope you do too!
Mentioned in this Episode
Documentary: https://www.pbs.org/kenburns/the-american-buffalo/
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NordVPN: This episode was sponsored by NordVPN. To get the best discount off your NordVPN plan go to ā ā ā https://nordvpn.com/americanenglishā ā ā - Our link will also give you 4 extra months on the 2-year plan! Plus, there's no risk with their 30-day money-back guarantee.ā
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192 - Expression: To Stand One's Ground
In this episode, learn the meaning, origin, and everyday use of the expressionĀ āto stand oneās ground.ā
As usual, the lesson will begin with a joke (this one's a pun!). Then we'll dive into the expression. Shana will explain how to use the phrase in real-life situations, and guides you through a quick pronunciation practice.
Stay tuned for next weekās follow-up episode on bisonāmajestic animals that quite literally stand their ground.
Mentioned in this Episode
This episode was sponsored by NordVPN. To get the best discount off your NordVPN plan - go to ā ā https://nordvpn.com/americanenglishā ā - Our link will also give you 4 extra months on the 2-year plan! Plus, there's no risk with their 30-day money-back guarantee.
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191 - Irregular Verb Story: The (Funny) Invention of the Microwave
It helps you make your oatmeal in 90 seconds and reheat your pizza in 30. Some of you love it; others are skeptical, with concerns it might cause brain damage. What am I talking about? Microwaves, of course!
The story of how the microwave was discovered (or invented!) is weird and very funnyāand it all went down in Massachusetts.
To make this story extra valuable, I've added 20 irregular verbs to it. How many did you catch?
If you'd like the full list, the supplementary video, and all of the bonus material to master the irregular verbs you heard in Season 4, sign up for Premium Content!
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This episode was sponsored by NordVPN. To get the best discount off your NordVPN plan - go to ā https://nordvpn.com/americanenglishā - Our link will also give you 4 extra months on the 2-year plan! Plus, there's no risk with their 30-day money-back guarantee.
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ā Feature: The Coast is Clear and The Great Escape from Alcatraz
In this episode, you'll learn how to use the common English expression āthe coast is clear,ā which means itās safe to proceed because no one is watching or in the way. After breaking down the literal and figurative meanings, as well as the origin, you'll hear three vivid examplesāone featuring a mama bird, a cheating girlfriend, and shoplifting teens.
The cultural spotlight of this episode is on Alcatraz, the infamous island prison off the coast of San Francisco. Once home to criminals like Al Capone, Alcatraz was considered escape-proofāuntil 1962, when Frank Morris and the Anglin brothers vanished in a daring and ingenious escape involving handmade dummies, a raft made of raincoats, and months of careful planning. Despite debris being found and decades of investigation, the trio was never seen again, making it the longest-running manhunt in U.S. history. In this episode, you'll learn about the prison, and how these three men got out!
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The American English Podcast teaches the language and culture of the United States. Through common expressions, pronunciation tips and interesting cultural snippets or stories, I hope to keep this fun, useful and interesting! All bonus material can be accessed at http://americanenglishpodcast.com/