the portal

Have you ever wondered what people are going on about when they say their excuse is ‘bona fide’, describe your girlfriend as rather ‘gauche’, or tell you to quit ‘kowtowing’ to everyone?

A new book in the library can shed light on these and other words and phrases from other languages. The explanations are clear, giving the often fascinating origins of the words and examples of their current use.

 KOWTOW : Derived from words meaning ‘knock’ and ‘head’, kowtow relates to the one-time practice in China of touching the head to the floor as a mark of extreme respect in the presence of a superior; hence it means to ’show sycophancy’, to ‘grovel’:

eg. French critics have accused their own government of simply kowtowing to Beijing.

Each word or phrase is also given a ‘Pretensiousness Index’, so you can decide whether you really wish to include it in your vocabulary! 

Anyone interested in language will enjoy dipping into Faux Pas when they have a few moments to spare. 

Mrs Sweeney

The sequel to Diego Run is out! Actually, I didn’t find it as exciting as Diego Run, but if you read the former you’ll probably still be keen to find out what happens to Diego. He becomes involved in a blockade by Coca farmers, attempting to dissuade the Bolivian government from confiscating the farmers’ Coca harvests. Hit by rubber bullets and tear gas Diego once again proves himself tenacious and brave. Does he make it back to his parents? Read it to find out.

Mrs Sweeney