SPRING HAS SPRUNG!

While frequently attributed to Ogden Nash or ee Cummings the author of this amusing nonsense - known as "Spring In The Bronx" - is Anonymous. 

======================== 
Spring is sprung, the grass is ris. 
I wonders where the birdies is. 
They say the birds is on the wing. 
Ain't that absurd? 
I always thought the wing was on the bird. 
(Pardon the doggerel) 
The old phrase used by speakers of Canadian English "Spring is sprung,..." is often heard at this time of year.  In Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, we currently experience "cool nights & cool mornings" at this time of year.

And it's a good thing, too!  Having cooler heads prevail in the finale to the Canadian Tax Filing Season can only bring benefits to any community. The big balloon above is there to remind us that today is the final day to file your Canada Revenue Agency Tax return without penalty.

Learning the vagaries of the English Language is tricky at the best of times, no matter what the season.

For flowers, tree-leaves and birdies, it is equally as puzzling to figure out the weather in coastal Vancouver.

In the East Coast Hamptons, I've heard, there's a phrase "Sell in May, and go away", signalling the season to curtail business activities and head to the cottage.  The phrase came from another era, but in spite of changing weather patterns, still holds true for the most part.

The outdoors is beckoning.  April 30th in Canada is definitely a turning point for availability of appointment participants.

Enjoy the days in which it feels like Spring, and don't make your labour too taxing!

Crazy May Be The Way It Makes You Feel....

Learning English can be a challenge.  When you have one-to-one Tutoring with a skilled and trained voice production specialist, you have a chance of connecting with the core of your own ability to master English.

This graphic, from Busy Teacher.org, demonstrates the vagaries of the English language, with just some of the inconsistencies in English.

You may be able to add many more.  One of  our favourites is the difference in the words "hideous" and "hideout", which look almost identical, but sound completely different from one another.

Just so that you know, this blog, ESL - Every Single Letter, contains a connection to Miriam Webster dictionary.  You may wish to search or look up words already read in this particular post.

Ready?  New private tuition sessions for Spring, 2013, booking now.  (604-263-1164).

Income

Income.

This word is normally associated with cash.  Cash income.  The opportunity presented by the concept of resource management permits one to view this word from other perspectives.

Income most certainly can be received as cash.

But, I venture to say, there are ways to expand the meaning of the word income.

For example, income could be Self-Care.

Or, it could be Literary, or even Physical.

When you think of income as cash only, you are limiting yourself.  

In which ways do you pay yourself?

Self-Care

Rest

Literacy

Musical

Physical Exercise

Socializing

Planning Ahead 

Cash

All of these ways or actions can be considered as income streams.

Here's how the dictionary people at Miriam Webster write about the word income.

in·come

 noun \ˈin-ˌkəm also ˈin-kəm or ˈiŋ-kəm\

Definition of INCOME

1

: a coming in : entrance, influx <fluctuations in the nutrientincome of a body of water>

2

: a gain or recurrent benefit usually measured in money that derives from capital or labor; also : the amount of such gain received in a period of time <has an income of $30,000 a year>

 See income defined for English-language learners »

See income defined for kids »

Examples of INCOME

1. Any income from investments must be reported.
2. Farming is his main source of income.
3. Even on two incomes, we're having a hard time keeping up with our bills.
4. He earns a good income as a consultant.
5. What was the company's annual income?

First Known Use of INCOME

14th century

Related to INCOME

Synonyms: earnings, gain(s), incoming(s), proceeds, profit,return, revenue, yield

Antonyms: outflow, outpouring

[+]more

Other Economics Terms

actuary, compound interest, globalization, indemnity,portfolio, rentier, stagflation, usurer

Rhymes with INCOME

alum, aplomb, bass drum, bay rum, beach plum, become,benumb, degum, dim sum, dumdum, dum-dum, eardrum, far from, green thumb, hail from, ...

[+]more

Learn More About INCOME

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for "income"

Spanish-English Dictionary: Translation of "income"

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about "income"

Browse

Next Word in the Dictionary: income account
Previous Word in the Dictionary: incombustible
All Words Near: income

 Seen & Heard 

What made you want to look up income? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible),

The Silent "L" in The Letter Double-U" - A Clear Case of Alphabet Letter Abuse!

Almost 40 years ago, Stanley Kramer made a movie called "It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World!".
The year was 1963.
With a stellar cast of comics, including Jonathon Winters, Jimmy Durante, Jim Backus, and more (It's A Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad, World!")

It was an hilarious film in it's day.

The destination for the treasure-hunters in this flick was "Under the big Dubbya" - meaning Under the big double-u.  Palm Trees growing up in the shape of the letter double-u gave the actors yet another opportunity to leave out the "L" sound in the Alphabet Letter "W".  

Please pronounce the sound of the letter L that exists in the letter "W".

And if you can, try to take some time to watch Kramer's film.

Early Sunsets - Late Sunrises

This is the time of year when Weather Words are in their prime!

It is a time of Early Sunsets and Late Sunrises.

Some people count the days until December 21st or the Winter Solstice, following which the days become "Longer" again.

Weather Words are often closely linked with clothing words.  Rain-boots, for example.
Or, in  sunnier seasons, Sun-hat.

These days, the weather forecasting and reporting media can send the daily humidity and weather reports for your area to your email inbox.

This report can be helpful, so that, if you choose to read it, you can leave home in the morning, go out for your day, and have all the right accessories along with you.  IE:  Umbrella, Gloves, Neck-scarf, or Sunglasses! 

Gene Kelly (Singing In the Rain) and Burt Bacharach (Raindrops Keep Fallin' on My Head) performed music that gives hope to humans, even when the Weather seems discouraging.

"Let a Smile Be Your Umbrella" is another song giving rise to optimism in a season set to make the locality's vegetation green.

And then, there's the English phrase, "Everybody talks about the Weather, but nobody does anything about it".

What English words would you choose to describe the Weather we experience?

VOWELS The Long and Short of Them -

Vowels and their proper usage in English are vital to being understood when you speak.

There are Long Vowels and Short Vowels.

In the main, the proper name of each Vowels sounds the same as the way one pronounces that vowel.

For example. A  sounds like its name (ay - as in way)

E sounds like its name in the long vowel form, as well as does the letter I, and its companions, O and U.

Practice Makes Perfect!  Practice, Drill, and Rehearse.  You can do it!

20 Common Mistakes in Grammar That Almost Everyone Gets Wrong!

Learning English can be a daunting task at the best of times.

Here is an article re-posted from my friend Margo Bates of the Canadian Authors Association.

It points out pitfalls for all English Language Users ~ novice or EFL or ESL!

20 Common Mistakes in Grammar That Almost Everyone Gets Wrong!