The Tip of the Iceberg

The Tip of the Iceberg

NOTE: Business English etc.
can be found below the translation exercises.

Translate the Text into English: Übersetzen:

Susann, Andreas, Nadine, Heike, Reiner, and Simone.

That’s not my problem. – Das ist nicht mein Problem.

Take your time. – Lass dir Zeit.

That’s crazy! – Das ist verrückt!

It doesn’t matter. – Es machts nicht.

Just a second. – Einen Augenblick.

I don’t believe that. – Das glaube ich nicht.

That’s not possible – Das ist nicht möglich.

I’m ready. – Ich bin bereit.

That’s not fair! Das ist unfair!

That’s unbelievable! – Das ist unglaublich!

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English – English – English – English – English – English – English

Business English Word of the Week:

Geschäftsenglisch Wort der Woche:

A business word/phrase = Expense

To put something on expenses means to record and to claim its cost as a business expense. Your company will pay you pay/to reimburse you or cover the cost of the expensed item or service.

Sample Sentence:

“Whilst on my last business trip, I had a lot of business expenses which I had to claim back from the University. Unfortunately, the University only pays your expenses three months later!”

Law English Word of the Week:

Gesetz Englisches Wort der Woche:

A law word/phrase = British legal vocabulary includes terms like solicitor (who gives advice, prepares cases).

Sample Sentence:

“I would go to a solicitor for advice on buying a house or to organise the legal parts of a family member’s Last Will and Testament.”

Vocabulary for Contracts:

Wortschatz für Verträge:

A word/phrase for contracts = Consideration. Something of value is exchanged between parties, a fundamental element in forming a contract.

Vocabulary for Negotiations:

Wortschatz für Verhandlungen:

A word/phrase for negotiations = a counterproposal

Meaning: An alternative solution you offer when you disagree with the one already presented.

Sample Sentence:

“They arrived at the meeting with a counter proposal, but they weren’t open to negotiation.”

English – English – English – English – English – English – English

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Word of the day: Wort des Tages:

to Gossip – zum Klatschen

Sample Sentence:

“It is a well-established fact that people who Gossip too much for too long will have stomach problems, even to the extent of having an operation.”

Phrase of the day: Satz des Tages:

To “soldier on alone” means to continue doing something or trying to achieve something despite facing difficulties, pressure, or a lack of support, emphasising perseverance and a determined spirit in the face of adversity.

Sample Sentence:

“When everyone had left the party, I had to soldier on alone to clean up the house.”

Idiom of the day: Redewendung des Tages:

 A church mouse is a phrase used in the idiom “as poor as a church mouse,” describing someone or something that is extremely poor and lacks possessions. The idiom likely arose because churches were not known for storing much food, so a mouse living there would have a difficult time finding sustenance and would fare poorly, symbolising extreme poverty.

Sample Sentence:

“When my wife and I were first married, we were as poor as a church mouse, because I was studying at University.”

British English / American English Vocabulary:

Britisches Englisch / Amerikanisches Englisch Wortschatz:

British English (B.E.) = Newsagent

American English (A.E.) = Newsdealer/news stand

NOTE: A Newsagent in the UK will sell magazines, puzzle books, sweets, chocolate, tobacco, cigarettes, cigars, matches, lighters and even soft drinks.

Special Grammar Tip of the Week:

Spezieller Grammatik-Tipp der Woche:

Do you exercise every morning? / Do you do exercises every morning?

Have you got a car?

Do you have a car?

NOT = Do you GOT a car?

NOTE: Use = Have and got together, Do and HAVE together, but NOT DO and GOT together.

Pronunciation Tip: Aussprachetipp:

Colonel

Native English speakers pronounce this Middle French-derived 16th-century word “ker-nul”.

Those studying English as a second language, on the other hand, are perplexed by the first ‘o’ which sounds like an ‘e,’ the ‘l’ like an ‘r,’ and the other ‘o’ being absolutely quiet.

So we will practice this in our lesson.

False Friends Tip of the Week:

Falsche Freunde Tipp der Woche:

German                    = kleines Restaurant

Translation             = café (actually French)

False Friend (F.F.)   = Kaffee

Meaning of F.F.        = coffee

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English – English – English – English – English – English – English

 

 

Wit, wit, wit – Education:

Witz, Witz, Witz – Ausbildung:

“What the heck is an FAQ?”

Quote by John Hunter.

 

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English – English – English – English – English – English – English

 

Slang word of the day:

Slangwort des Tages:

Barmy – being crazy or mad.

Sample Sentence:

“Don, you’re Barmy if you think Dolcie will marry you!”

 

Colloquial / Colloquialisms:

Umgangssprache / Umgangssprache:

“Fridgescaping” is the trend of decorating the inside of a refrigerator to be aesthetically pleasing, combining organization with non-edible decorative items like flowers, framed pictures, or fairy lights. Coined in 2011, it gained popularity on social media platforms like TikTok and Instagram, often inspired by interior design trends and shows such as Bridgerton. While it can be a fun, creative outlet and a way to make healthy eating more appealing, experts note it can also pose health risks due to potential food contamination and disrupted temperature regulation.

Sample Sentence:

“Fridgescaping  has become very popular and is seen to be cool to do by the fridgescapers.”

 

Cockney Rhyming Slang:

Cockney Reimender Slang:

Cream-crackered  = knackered, which means to be extremely tired, exhausted.

Sample Sentence:

“I’ve been digging great big holes all day long and I’m Cream-crackered !”

NOTE: I use this.

 

Quote of the week: Zitat der Woche:

“I got some new underwear the other day. Well, new to me.”

Quote by Emo Philips.

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English – English – English – English – English – English – English

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