E-TIDBIT OF THE DAY: Christmas

Christmas is not only a very special major celebration in American culture, but around the world. There is a saying that goes like this: Jesus is the Reason for the Season. If you are in the USA you will see all kinds of decorations at homes and businesses as early as the end of November until after New Years Day including nativity scenes with baby Jesus, his parents, visitors; Santa Claus, sleighs and reindeer; wreaths, holly, Christmas trees, angels, snow, mistletoe, Christmas lights; special Church liturgies; feasts; carols; and gift-giving among family and friends, all of which are part of the season. Christmas means Christ's mass. 

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In Christian tradition, Jesus Christ is the greatest example of gift-giving, who was the gift sent to this world by God the Father to redeem mankind from sin which separates man from God. Once a person receives the gift of Christ, considering him their personal Savior and Lord, asking him for forgiveness of their sins...from that moment they are forgiven. They begin to live for Christ in relationship with him, growing in, expressing and living the teachings and principles of Christ who promises them eternal life through his death and resurrection.

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Nativity scene in the front yard of a house

A verse in the New Testament Bible depicts the motivation behind Christ's coming to earth as God in human flesh and his mission: For God loved the world so much that he gave his only son so that anyone who believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life (The Living Bible, Book of John, chapter 3, verse 16). This is the historical event which began the Christmas celebration. The exact date of Jesus' birth is unknown. It began to be celebrated by some Christian groups in the mid-4th century on December 25, and later celebrated by the majority around the world on this date.  

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There is also the secular part of the Christmas tradition which includes Santa Claus (aka: St. Nicholas, Father Christmas and Christkind), with his sleigh, reindeer, the Christmas tree, entering homes via the chimney to deliver gifts. Gift-giving is also part of this secular tradition and a very happy time for good children who look forward to receiving presents from "Santa". 

Santa Claus
demenglog.com. Photo: public domain

St. Nicholas of Myra (modern day Turkey) of the 4th century was known for his generous gifts to the poor. The 19th century poem, A Visit from St. Nicholas, popularized this image of Santa Claus. Since the 20th century the idea was established of Santa Claus delivering candy and toys to good children and coal to naughty children around the world in a single night on Christmas Eve.

pdsh.wikia.com Photo: public domain

A 13th century depiction of St. Nicholas of Myra from St. Catherine's Monastery in Sinai
Photo: public domain.

The important thing is to remember the true meaning of Christmas and to keep the spirit of Christmas alive in our hearts all year around, as demonstrated through the life of Christ, the Prince of Peace.

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

E-TIDBIT OF THE DAY: The laptop

Do you know why the laptop computer is called a laptop? Can you guess?

Give up?!? Well, when we are seated our legs form what is called the lap*. We put things on top of it when seated like a dinner tray, a child, a girlfriend, a cat, a puppy, a book...or a mobile computer. 

So, we put these two words together to form a new word: laptop. This new term coined in the early 1980s differentiated the mobile computer from the larger and stationary desktop computer (which usually is set on top of a desk). The laptop computer is light enough to be placed on the top of one's lap. Thus, was born the term laptop.

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Notebook computers came later and were a bit lighter and smaller, like a note pad or notebook children use in school. Nowadays, the term laptop pretty well dominates as the term for all mobile computers.

You are on your way to speaking impressive American English!

*TheFreeDictionary by Farlex defines lap: a. The front area from the waist to the knees of a seated person.

E-TIDBIT OF THE DAY: Punctuality

Punctuality is an important American virtue. If you are in the USA or if your boss is an American and you have made a commitment to meet at a specific time, it is a good idea to get there on time. Whether it be a dinner engagement, a walk in the park, a business meeting, a tennis match, a conference call or whatever, care should be taken to be there at least 5 minutes before the set time. 

If you are more than 5 minutes late, that is unacceptable. If you arrive late, it is considered disrespectful to the other person or persons, and it is not taken well. It could be disastrous if you are consistently late and could mean losing a friendship, a deal or even your job. When you are late you convey the message that those waiting for you are not as important as you, that their time is not as important as yours. Even if that is not your intent, it will be seen that way.

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Hardly anyone ever misses a flight. Why? Because it is important. It would cost us money, a lot of time and inconvenience if we were to miss a flight. Americans will use this comparison to stress the importance of being on time to colleagues who are late. Everyone's time is valuable, so if you want to show you agree with that, show up on time!

The only acceptable cases for being late are emergencies such as a car accident, sickness, or an act of nature like an earthquake or an unavoidable traffic jam. In any case, if you know you are going to be late, you should inform the people you are going to meet.

This is the American mindset concerning punctuality. If you make the effort to arrive 5-10 minutes before the set time of any commitment, Americans will love you for it.

E-TIDBIT OF THE DAY: 24/7

24/7 is a very popular expression in the USA. Shortening things is popular, for example, from proper names to nicknames like: Robert-Bobby-Bob, Elizabeth-Lisa, Rudolph-Rudy, Deborah-Debbie-Deb, etc. Not too long ago someone had the idea to shorten "24 hours, 7 days a week" to "24/7". 

Then someone added the number of days in one year - 365 - (with the exception of a leap* year, which has 366 when February has 29 days). 

We used to say "That restaurant is open around the clock" or "That restaurant is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week". Some people may still say this. But, 24/7 has pretty well replaced these longer phrases.

So, you could say things like:

• Wow! You work 24/7! You must be a workaholic!
• That restaurant is open 24/7.
• The saw mill is running 24/7/365!
• She would talk 24/7 as long as someone is listening.

Now, when said orally, you should hear this:

• Wow! You work twenty-four seven! You must be a workaholic.
• That restaurant is open twenty-four seven.
• The saw mill is running twenty-four seven three sixty-five!**
• She would talk twenty-four seven as long as someone is listening.

So, this gives you an idea how and when you use the expression 24/7 or 24/7/365.

You are on your way to speaking impressive American English!

*The Leap year usually happens every 4 years according to the Gregorian Calendar.

** You would say twenty-four seven three sixty-five, instead of twenty-four seven three hundred and sixty-five. 

E-TIDBIT OF THE DAY: Comments, questions, clarifications?

American Way English has written a few posts now and will be writing more on the subjects we have promised in the first post "What our blog offers".

But, we would like you to know how important your questions are to us and we are sure you have some. Your question represents the question that others may have, so asking yours is important to them as well as to you.

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Please know that you can post your comments, questions or requests for clarification on anything written in this blog or anything that has not yet been written regarding American culture and English. You may want to read all of the material in this blog before posting your question, as it may already be answered. We only ask that it all be said and done in good taste. 

American Way English would like not to deal with indecency, as we are sure everyone will understand and appreciate. Swear words and gross language, you will discover are well defined in movies and in novels. So, we would not have much to add on these in this blog. The use of the same should be pretty clear as you hear them spoken in the context of the movie or book.

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In the near future, American Way English will be offering cultural orientation seminars for corporations which have employees who will take positions outside of Brazil. These seminars will especially focus on the United States, on other English-speaking countries and countries where businesspeople speak and write English in the workplace. Please keep an eye on the Contact page for information regarding these seminars. If you have any questions or special needs regarding this subject, please send us an email.

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If you have any distinct cultural differences of any country that you would like to explain or information that you would like to offer, please contact us by email (please see the Contact page for our email address).

Thank you for being willing to help make this blog a better source of information for you. We are here to serve. Please help us reach this objective and in doing so you will be that much closer to speaking impressive American English!