Интересные факты об английском языке

Television license

[ ‘telɪvɪʒən ‘laɪsənt s]

An official licence required in many countries for the reception of television broadcasts

In the UK, it is a crime to own a television if you do not have a television license. People must buy a license every year, and the money collected from this license is used by BBC to pay for all its programmes.

Uncle Sam

[ ʌŋkl ̩ˈsæm ]

The United States of America, or its government, sometimes represented, especially in political Cartoons, by an image of a tall thin man with a white Beard and a tall hat

Uncle Sam first appeared in 1800s, especially on posters asking people to join the army. He is usually shown pointing his finger and saying «Uncle Sam needs you!» His top

hat and clothes are always decorated with the stars and stripes from the US flag. Political cartoons use his picture to represent the US, and newspapers often use the expression «Uncle Sam» to mean the US government.

Village

[ ‘vɪlɪdʒ ]

A group of houses and other buildings, such as a church, a school and some shops, which is smaller than a town, usually in the countryside

When American people use the word «village» in American English they are usually talking about an old, attractive, small town in Europe or a small area of simple houses in a less developed country, for example Africa. «Village» is not usually used to talk about places in the US. In British English, however, «village» is used for small towns in general, whether they are new, busy, old, or quiet.

Window cleaner

[ ‘wɪndəʊ ‘klinər ]

A person who maintains the cleanliness of windows, mirrors and other glass surfaces

In the UK, some people make jokes about window cleaners because they imagine that window cleaners see a lot of interesting and strange things while they are cleaning windows, such as people who are not wearing any clothes.

Yellow

[ ‘jeləʊ ]

A colour like that of a lemon or gold or the sun

The colour yellow is often used to represent lack of courage.


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Интересные факты об английском языке