Fun Riddles

What would you do to employ tedious hours or kill time? How about puzzles or brainteasers? This week, let us solve interesting riddles. Don’t be so serious or overthink to solve these riddles. 😊

  1.   What is as big as you are and yet does not weigh anything?

  2.   Paul’s height is six feet, he’s an assistant at a butcher’s shop, and wears size 9 shoes. What does he weigh?

  3.   What types of words are these: madam, civic, eye, level?

  4.   What ends everything always?

  5.   When you have me, you feel like sharing me. But, if you do share me, you don’t have me. What am I?

  6.   A cowboy rode into town on Friday, stayed three days, and rode out again on Friday. How did he do that?

  7.   The person who makes it has no need for it. The person who purchases it does not use it. The person who does use it does not know he or she is. What is it?

  8.   It is an insect, and the first part of its name is the name of another insect.

  9.   Two fathers and two sons go fishing. Each of them catches one fish, So why do they bring home only three fish?

  10.               You can hold it without using your hands or arms. What is it?

  11.               What do letter “t” and an island have in common?

  12.               Which is the word in English that has nine letters, and remains a word at each step even when you remove one letter from it, right up to a single letter remaining. List each letter as you remove them, along with the resulting word at each step.

  13.               Complete this sequence of letters: o, t, t, f, f, s, s, ___, ___, ___

  14.               From the beginning of eternity. To the end of time and space, To the beginning of every end. And the end of every place. What am I?

  15.               I can run but I can’t walk. I have a mouth but I can’t talk, a head but I can’t think, a bed but I can’t sleep. Who am I?

Answer Keys

  1.  your shadow

  2.  meat

  3.  They are palindromes; they read the same forward and backward.

  4.  the letter “g”

  5.  A secret

  6.  His horse’s name is Friday.

  7.  a coffin

  8.  beetle

  9.  Because the fishing group comprises a grandfather, his son, and his grandson, hence just three people.

  10.             your breath

  11.             Both are in water: WaTer

  12.             “startling” is the word. Begin by removing “L”, which makes it “starting”, then take away the “t”, making it “staring”, and so on. String; sting; sing; sin; in; and I

  13.             e, n, t- The first letter of the numbers from one to ten

  14.             the letter “e”

  15.             a river

Idioms that describe the Feelings of Happiness

Most of us have one wish in common in life: “to be happy”

Although I myself am still working on the definition of ‘being happy’, I know for sure that happiness is not lying in comparing me and others. It is found in what I am, what I have, and where I stand right here and now.

This week, let us brush up on some idiomatic expressions that are related to or describing the feeling of happiness.

(source from https://www.ecenglish.com/learnenglish/lessons/7-happy-idioms      &   http://www.grammar.net/top-22-idioms-about-joy-and-happiness)

1.   to be on cloud nine: extremely happy when something wonderful happens.

2.   like a dog with two tails: to look and be very happy.

3.   to be full of the joys of spring: When you are jubilant, energetic, cheerful and happy.

4.   to be as happy as Larry:

When you are as happy as Larry, you are, of course, very happy. But who is Larry? No one is certain but it is believed that 'Larry' refers to an Australian boxer called Larry Foley (1878 - 1917) who after receiving a large payment after winning a fight was described in a newspaper as being 'happy'. Somehow this description stuck and is now used all these years later.

5.   to be on top of the world:

You are on top of the world when you feel wonderful.

6.   to be over the moon

This idiom isn't used so much these days because it is considered a cliché (an overused, unoriginal expression), but it means to be delighted.

The team captain said he was over the moon with their win.

7.   to be in seventh heaven

Bliss; to be so happy it feels like you are in heaven

8.   a joy to behold: a thing or experience that creates a profound sense of pleasure or elation in the spectator

9.   buzzing: excited for something that’s going to happen/  to be stoked about…

10.        happy camper: to be content or satisfied with what is happening in the life and to have no complaints.

Let’s use them in sentences! Choose the right expression in the example sentences below.

  1.  Rian’s mom is really worried about her son’s hobby. He rides a motorbike in his leisure hours and always says he feels like being in seventh _________________ while enjoying the speed.

  2.  The concert hall was ____________________ as the audience was waiting for the music to start.

  3.  The Jackson couple has been on ________________ nine since they found out they are going to be parents this year!!!

  4.  Mr. Ray was always like a happy ________________ even when he was ill. He used to say “Life is good!” all the time.

  5.  Tim loves hiking and feels like being on ___________ of the world each time he explores new mountain ranges.

  6.  Patty’s loving doggie is such a ___________ to behold.

  7.  When I won my age group in the 10K road race, I felt as happy as ____________!!!!!

  8.  Nina will be like a dog with _______________________ if she is chosen as the prima donna at the upcoming opera.

  9.  When Judy happened to hear from her long lost friend, she was over the _____________________.

  10.             It’s amazing that you look like you’re full of the __________________________ on Monday morning while everyone else is suffering from Monday blues.

Answer Keys

 1.  Heaven

 2.  buzzing

 3.  cloud

 4.  camper

 5.  top

 6.  joy

 7.  Larry

 8.  two tails

 9.  moon

 10. joy of Spring

 

A piece of poem in the late Summer evening

Life is…

by Jean Lee

a lonely stroll in the canopy

sometimes shiny with woodnotes,

oftentimes hairy as a mapless navigation,

full of balmy breeze like a soft pat on your tired back,

tainted by unwanted noise from passers-by,

celebrated with ephemeral flame around a bonfire,

fascinated at something new in each twists and turns,

paused by thoughts and doubts at a forked road,

continuing with hopes, regrets, confidence, turbulence, love, peace, ….

and remembered by one or two

                 who will always keep you at heart, 

who will not judge your paths,

and who will be proud of you for just being you

                                               

Sayings about Diet and Weight Loss

One of the most difficult issues that many people are facing today is their relationship with food and appearance. Since small, slim body and toned muscles have become the ideal picture of human body regardless of their age and sex in modern society, almost everyone desires sylphlike or beautifully buff silhouette. Yes, it is possible for anyone to make that dream come true, but easier said than done. Some may say inside most of us is a very thin person struggling to get out but continuously sedated by cheese cake, chocolate chip cookies, and pizza. LOL. It could be a lifelong project to be on the healthy side. Let us eat healthy and rock on.

This week, let me introduce some interesting and fun-filled quotes and saying related to diet and weight loss.

(*source from http://www.quotegarden.com/dieting.html)

“Don’t dig your grave with your own knife and fork.” …. English proverb

“More die in the United States of too much food than too little.”

…..  John Kenneth Galbraith, the Affluent Society

“Diets are for those who are thick and tired of it.”

….Mary Tyler Moore

“People are so worried about what they eat between Christmas and the New Year, but they really should be worried about what they eat between the New Year and Christmas.”

…….Author unknown

“The one way to get thin is to re-establish a purpose in life.”

…….Cyril Connolly, The Unquiet Grave

“I keep trying to lose weight, but it keeps finding me.”

….Author unknown

“If nature had intended our skeletons to be visible it would have put them on the outside of our bodies.”

…..Elmer Rice

“I’ve been on a diet for two weeks and all I’ve lost is fourteen days.”

….Totie Fields

“Stressed spelled backwards is desserts. Coincidence? I think not!”

…..Author unknown

“The biggest seller is cookbooks and the second is diet books- how not to eat what you’ve just learned how to cook.” ……Andy Rooney

“No diet will remove all the fat from your body because the brain is entirely fat. Without a brain, you might look good, but all you could do is run for public office.”

…..George Bernard Shaw

“Life itself is a proper binge.”

…..Julia Child

Idiomatic Expressions Related to Being Hopeful

Are you a believer of Murphie’s Law? The line that you’re in for the cashier’s counter at a grocery store is always moving slow. You see the gas tank warning light when you’re late to work. It starts to drizzle on the day you’ve planned for an outing with friends. The toilet tissue dispenser happens to be empty when you’re in dire need. Hmmm….you might think the world is filled with so many things to complain about with anger or frustration. However, you’ve got another day dawning that may have a lot more hopeful things to be stoked about! J  This week, let us brush up on some idiomatic expressions related to being hopeful.

(source from https://www.tolearnenglish.com/exercises/exercise-english-2/exercise-english-106712.php)

1.   to hope against hope: to hope very strongly when the situation is hopeless

2.   There are plenty of fish in the sea: There are other choices to make.

3.   to count one’s blessings: to be grateful for good things in life or what you have.

4.   as luck would have it : an expression used to describe something useful that has happened by chance

5.   something drops/falls into one’s lap: to have something desirable happen/to acquire something desirable without putting in any effort

6.   to luck out : to be very lucky

7.   to lick one’s wounds: to try to recover one’s confidence or spirit after a defeat or failure, disappointment

8.   to look on the bright side: to view a mostly unfortunate situation in a positive and optimistic way and see the favorable aspects

Time to put the above expressions into practice and let us stay positive!

1.  Jessie can hardly ever feel at home in London, but her friends back in her hometown keep telling her to look ______________________________. They say London is one of the most attractive cities in the world.

2.  Dan was hammered at his friend’s birthday party, but as _______________________ it, there was a guy who never touched a can of beer who could drive him home.

3.  Dr.Esther hoped ____________________ that her terminally ill patient would have enough time to wrap up his life with his beloved family and friends.

4.  The Russian soccer team really ______________ out in the game against Spain! Little did we expect they’d win the game.

5.  Hey, Irene, don’t despair. Tom is not the only guy for you in the world.

There are _______________________________________ in the sea.

6.  Each time I become disappointed by the harsh way my life treats me, my mother says “Count your ________________.”

7.  His internship opportunity did not just drop _________________________________. He had been doing his very best to maintain his great GPA and get deeply involved in a lot of activities.

8.  GE has been suffering from a series of failure in selling their products, but now is ____________________________ its wounds for another chance.

Answer Keys

1.  on the bright side

2.  luck would have

3.  against hope

4.  lucked out

5.  a plenty of fish

6.  blessings

7.  into his lap

8.  licking

New Slang/ Idioms used among young ones in America

How long do you believe it would take for an English expression (especially idiomatic expressions) to be outdated? It seems that we are facing newly coined phrases and nouns every couple of years or faster than that here in America. This week, I would like to share some interesting expressions that are going viral today among young ones in the States.

(*source from https://www.refinery29.com/2016/05/107772/cool-words-slang-dictionary-popular-sayings)

  1.   lit: (adjective) cool, turned up, fun, or popping

  2.   to keep it 100: (phrase) to keep yourself real and true, to be honest and stick to the way you are, no matter what any one else thinks

  3.   trill: (adjective): true + real/ 100% honest

  4.   Gucci: (adjective) Not referring to the Italian brand name here. It means ‘good, fine, or ok’ . This is a slang term mostly used by people living in ghetto or slum.   e.g., What’s Gucci? = What’s poppin? Or You gucci? = How’re you doin’?

  5.   No new friends!: (phrase) the expression you throw out when you are bragging about your squad or dissing the friends who are not quite committed. This expression is used to show cohesiveness amongst friends and an aversion to new "fair weather friends".

  6.   Bible!: (phrase) This expression was often used by the Kardashian family, instead of "I swear" or "I promise" or "I am not joking"  in order to mean “the whole truth”

  7.   adulting: (gerund form of “to adult”) to do one or more of the duties and responsibilities expected of fully developed individuals (paying off that credit card debt, paying taxes or reporting tax report, or working through the summer instead of going on a vacation, etc). Exclusively used by those who adult less than 50% of the time

  8.   snatched: (adjective) perfect / nice/ sweet / on fleek / fashionable/

  9.   plug: (noun = verb) to self promote your social media and or merchandise

  10. jomo:(abbreviated phrase) the Joy of Missing Out  (ó fomo: the fear of missing out something great)

Now why don’t we fill in the following blanks with proper expressions given above?

1.   Jean would rather enjoy ________________ even though there’s a lot of fun parties or swirls around her on weekends.

2.   OMG!!!!!! I just saw Adam Levine at the restaurant!!!!! Straight up! You don’t believe me? Trust me! ________________

3.   Hans is working hard in this internship program all Summer long instead of going out on a vacation. Yup, he is practicing ____________________.

4.   Well, when Joanna saw Paula added the caption “___________________________” to her instagram photo of her friend group, she felt hurt inside. Joanna thought she was in Paula’s tight squad.

5.   A: How was Drew’s birthday party last night? Did you have fun?

B: Oh, yeah, it was _______!!! I had the time of my life there, meeting new friends.

6.   A: Charlie is such a down-to-earth kind of man. He never holds back anything whenever we have conversations. He truly keeps ___________________.

B: Yes, I agree with you. He is totally __________.

7.   Hey, you __________?  Yeah, I’m doing well.

8.   I’m sick and tired of her tweeting about her newly released album. Don’t wanna see her ____________ anymore.

9.   Wow~ Look at you!!! Your new haircut looks _______________!

<Answer Keys>

   1.  jomo

   2.  Bible!

   3.  adulting

   4.  No new friends

   5.  lit

   6.  it to 100

   trill

   7.  gucci

   8.  plug

   9.  snatched