For the love of Mike

For the love of Mike

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

Translate the Text into English: Übersetzen:

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

Was bauen wir?

Warum antwortest du nicht?

Was? Das!

Wieso rennst du?

Wie viele zimmer hat das Schloss?

Wieso ist es so klein?

Wofür ist das Werkzeug?

Warum nicht?

Wie viele Tiere seht ihr?

Wie viel Fleisch isst du?

Wie schnell schwimmt sie?

Wie du willst!

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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 = To book (something) well in advance. “To book well in advance” means to make a reservation (for a hotel, flight, restaurant, etc.) a significant amount of time before the actual date, ensuring availability, better prices, and more choices, especially for popular times or unique experiences. It’s a proactive way to secure what you want, often leading to savings and less stress.

Sample Sentence:

“Early bookings often come with discounts or lower prices.”

 

Law English Word of the Week:

Gesetz Englisches Wort der Woche:

A law word/phrase = to take your fingerprints.

Sample Sentence:

“The suspect’s fingerprints were found all over the company safe, which had just been robbed.”

 

Vocabulary for Contracts:

Wortschatz für Verträge:

A word/phrase for contracts = assets – a useful or valuable thing or person. An item of property owned by a person or company, regarded as having value and available to meet debts, commitments, or legacies. Personal assets can include a home, land, financial securities, jewellery, artwork, gold and silver, or your checking account. Business assets can include motor vehicles, buildings, machinery, equipment, cash, and accounts receivable, as well as intangibles like patents and copyrights.

Sample Sentences:

“George’s quick reflexes were his chief asset.”

“In the first quarter, we saw a growth in net assets.”

 

Vocabulary for Negotiations:

Wortschatz für Verhandlungen:

A word/phrase for negotiations = To “play devil’s advocate” means to argue against a popular or accepted idea, not because you personally disagree with it, but to challenge assumptions, explore alternative viewpoints, and make a discussion or decision more robust and thorough. It’s about presenting a contrary position to ensure all sides are considered, even if you don’t believe in it.

Sample Sentence:

Purpose: To foster debate, uncover flaws, gain a deeper understanding, and test the strength of an idea.

Origin: From the Catholic Church’s “Promoter of the Faith” (the advocatus diaboli), whose role was to argue against sainthood candidates to find fault.

Example: In a meeting, someone might say, “I’m just playing devil’s advocate, but what if this new product fails completely?” to prompt deeper risk assessment.

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

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Word of the day: Wort des Tages:

to be vain – eitel sein.

Sample Sentence:

“You’re so vain, you think this song is about you.” Carly Simon.

Phrase of the day: Satz des Tages:

“To the dot” (or “on the dot“) means exactly at the precise time or moment specified, emphasising perfect punctuality. It can also imply absolute precision or accuracy, not just for time, but for any detail, meaning something was done perfectly as instructed.

Exactly on Time: This is the most common use, referring to a specific time (e.g., “He arrived at one o’clock on the dot”).

With Perfect Accuracy: It can describe something done with meticulous precision (e.g., “He described the event on the dot, leaving nothing out”).

Origin: The “dot” refers to the small mark on a clock or watch face, suggesting hitting that exact point. 

Examples

“The Rock concert began at eight on the dot, without any delays.”

“The complicated instructions were carefully followed on the dot.”

Related Phrases:

On the button/nose: Synonymous with “on the dot,” meaning exactly right.

Sample Sentence:

“The meeting started at 7:30 a.m. on the dot“.

 

Idiom of the day: Redewendung des Tages:

A frog in the throat (It’s the same idiom in German = Ein Frosch im Hals) – this idiom means you have difficulty speaking clearly because your throat feels dry, hoarse, or you have phlegm (der Schleim/ das Phlegma), making your voice sound rough and needing a cough or clearing. It describes that temporary, raspy feeling when you can’t speak smoothly, often due to a cold, nervousness, or just needing a drink, not an actual amphibian being present.

Sample Sentence:

“Sorry, I can’t speak so well as I have got a frog in my throat.”

British English / American English Vocabulary:

Britisches Englisch / Amerikanisches Englisch Wortschatz:

British English (B.E.) = Bank Holiday / Public Holiday

American English (A.E.) = Legal Holiday.

Sample Sentence:

“I would never use the words Legal Holiday, and always use the words Bank or Public Holiday. The Americans confuse the issue by referring to Christmas and Easter as ‘the holidays’ and then going on a holiday with the word “Vacation.”

Special Grammar Tip of the Week:

Spezieller Grammatik-Tipp der Woche:

The Adjective always goes BEFORE the main Subject–Object of the sentence.

Pronunciation Tip: Aussprachetipp:

Snowplough – (Plauen) there is a town called Plau – en and the first part of the town is pronounced in the same way as PLOUGH.

False Friends Tip of the Week:

Falsche Freunde Tipp der Woche:

German                    = Zufall, Glück

Translation              = chance

False Friend (F.F.)   = Chance

Meaning of F.F.        = opportunity

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Wit, wit, wit – Education:

Witz, Witz, Witz – Ausbildung:

“Subjunctive to the last, he preferred to ask ‘And that, Sir, would be Hippodromei’”

Quote by Alexander Woolcott.

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Slang word of the day:

Slangwort des Tages:

Budge – to move or shift.

Sample Sentence:

“I’m staying in this seat, and I’m not going to budge no matter what anyone says to me!”

Colloquial / Colloquialisms:

Umgangssprache / Umgangssprache:

Butty – Northern England for a sandwich.

Sample Sentence:

“I just love a chip, Butty!”

NOTE: In Northern England, they will have chips (Pommes) in between two slices of bread.

Cockney Rhyming Slang:

Cockney Reimender Slang:

Nobbies = Nobby Stiles (English footballer) = piles (haemorrhoids).

Sample Sentence:

Nobby Stiles was a legendary, tough-tackling midfielder for Manchester United (1960-1971) and England, famous for winning the 1966 World Cup and the 1968 European Cup with the club, known for his tenacious play and crucial role in stifling opponents, also later returning as a youth coach, helping develop the Class of ’92. He was an unlikely enforcer at just 5ft 6in, but incredibly effective, breaking up play and allowing more gifted teammates to shine.

Quote of the week: Zitat der Woche:

“I play Cinderella tennis: I don’t quite get to the ball.”

Anon.

NOTE: I have this on one of my Coasters.

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