Where did the months get their names

Summer is here, July has just started and we really are not in the mood for an advanced English lesson, aren´t we?

Consequently, today´s lesson it´s about a fun fact, this time related with how the months of the calendar got their names.

Did you know that July and August didn´t exist in the ancient Roman calendar? And that both were named after two Caesars? Or that in the ancient Rome the first month of the year wasn´t January but March?

Let´s learn all this things with this short video!

VOCABULARY

 

To lay out: to spread as to be easily seen. 

Bud: a part of a plant that develops into a leaf or a flower.

Wedding: an official ceremony at which two persons get married.

Bunch: a number of things of the same type that are joined together.

Unaffiliated: with no connection between them.

Equinox: the time when the sun crosses the equator, twice a year. The spring equinox is around the 21^st of March and the autumn equinox around the 23^rd of September.

Mess: a situation in which there are a lot of problems.

Stuck: past simple and past participle of to stick (to put something somewhere).

Fashion: a way of behaving, dressing, etc. which is popular at a certain time.

 

Where do the days of the week get their names

Today I´m going to start a new label of my posts that it´s going to be called fun facts.

In English, the expression fun fact is used to introduce some interesting, and usually unknown, information. Usually is not important information but something curious or unexpected.

For example, have you ever thought about where the days of the week got their names?

One hint, it has to do with astrology, the planets, the sun and the moon (Saturday, Sunday, Monday). But it´s also related with the ancient mythologies, the Roman Empire and the history of Europe…

You see? It´s something curious but not really important so… it´s a fun fact!

I´ve recently found an amazing Youtube channel from Arika Okrent with many fun facts videos related to the English language, so let´s watch this short video to learn the day´s names and in the future I will post other interesting videos.

Enjoy it!

VOCABULARY

To rule: to control or be the person in charge of something such as a country.

God: a spirit or being believed to control some part of the universe or life and often worshipped for doing so.

Mythology: ancient story or set of stories, especially explaining the early history of a group of people or about natural events and facts, generally including gods, goddesses and supernatural beings or phenomena.

Goddess: female of God.

Video lesson #1: Ricky Gervais´ issues with flights

You will probably know Ricky Gervais, the British comedian, for the TV series The office (2005-2013) or the amazing movie The invention of Lying (2009). Or maybe you remember him for his scandalous, ironic and offensive, as well as hilarious, speech at the Golden Globes Awards this year 2020.

Thus, you will also be aware of his sarcastic and very British sense of humor.

But, do you know that he is also an stand-up comedian?

To make the most of this video lesson:

1- Watch this short video from his Netflix Special from 2013 called Humanity. If necessary, use the subtitles provided by Youtube.

2- Take a look to the vocabulary list below the video. It will help you understand many of Ricky´s jokes.

3- Watch again, this time without subtitles and check your understanding. 

4- Laugh your head off!

Vocabulary

As Ricky uses some specific and maybe difficult vocabulary, I am going to give you a hand with the help of the Cambridge Dictionary which I highly recommend:

First class: relating to the most expensive and highest quality service on a plane.

Coach: the cheapest seats on a plane, also known as Economy class or Tourist class.

BA: acronym of British Airways, the national British airline.

 

A downer: an event or experience that makes you unhappy.

Brace position: security position on airplanes where you secure yourself putting your head down and placing your hands on the back of your neck in order to protect your head from falling objects and to minimize the risk of broken fingers.

Life jacket: a piece of equipment, like a jacket without sleeves, that is filled with air or light material and is designed to help you float if you fall into water.

Whistle: an object that you hold your lips and blow through in order to make a loud, high sound.

 

Bobbing around: to move up and down with no specific path, especially in the water.

Airports and travels

How many times have you been in a foreign airport trying to understand the signs and the flight attendants instructions?

Watch this video from the amazing Youtube channel "Learn English with TV Series" to improve your vocabulary about airports, airplanes and travels.

And don´t forget to leave your thoughts and doubts in the comments!

Video Lesson #0: Why does overbooking exist?

Have you ever asked yourself why does overbooking exist?

Is it worth it for the airlines, even when they have to pay huge compensations and handle angry customers?

The answer is yes, overbooking can be extremely profitable if the airline knows how to manage it.

Don´t you believe me?

Watch this short video-quiz from Nina Klietch´s TED Talk Why do airlines sell too may tickets?

(Note: The video will open in Educaplay website)

I want to know your opinion... do you find overbooking ethical?

Why? Why not?

Leave your answers in the comments below.