So this week on the podcast I talked to my good friend Christine about Technology. It has to be said that we’re no experts, but it was fun! After all, we all use technology, happily or un!

Anyway, here are some phrases that cropped up which may be of interest. They’re highlighted in the Transcript, available to download.

Do without: To survive or get by without the need for that thing.

Rat race: Do rats race? That’s my question. The expression, meaning the incessant need to be up there with everyone else, often referring to the corporate world, comes from the idea of rats following their leader and trying to get ahead (I think)! There was also a board game of the same name as I recall, and it was horrible as you constantly had to step on everyone else to move forward!

If it ain’t broke don’t fix it: Awful grammar, but yes, we say it. Don’t try to fix something that works fine, you might make it worse!

Brings it home: It really makes you realise the importance of something.

(Know) what’s around the corner: Know what’s to come in the future, or what could pop up at any time. Of course we never do, and that’s probably for the best. I think I prefer not to know. Although, it could also be used in a positive way, meaning you never know, and when you’re at a low point, something amazing could happen and take you by surprise.

Give an insight into: Insight is knowledge plus understanding, as I see it. So to give an insight into something means that you get extra information that you didn’t have before and it helps you to develop a deeper understanding of the topic that you may not have had earlier.

Run rings around (us): Imagine a child intent on driving you crazy. Literally running in circles around you when you least have time for it. That’s how I see this phrase. It actually means you’re better or more successful at something. I suppose it comes from being faster doing something than somebody else. They can do five laps while you’re still on your first. But I see it as taunting too!

Feeding information: Feed means to give food to, so to give sustenance, to keep something or someone functioning. And really, that’s what we’re doing when we enter personal details online; giving sustenance to the machine so that it can grow ever stronger!

Ring a bell: I have a memory of it somewhere in a drawer in my brain, but I can’t quite locate it. In Spanish we say me suena, literally it makes a sound to me. So you can see the connection. In English, imagine a bell ringing in the distance that you know is warning you of something, but you’re not sure what it is.

Luddite: Anyone who spurns or has difficulty with technology. Etymonline says it is “the name taken by an organized band of weavers in Midlands and northern England who for about 5 years thereafter destroyed machinery, for fear it would deprive them of work”. So yes, dang those machines.

Being attended to: Having someone assist you. It’s something of a conundrum, as it were. In Spanish, in general, asistir means attend, for example a meeting, to be present at,  and atender means assist. Go figure. But asistencia is also help, and atender can also mean to pay attention too. Similarly, or perhaps differently, though assist in English means to help, attend can mean both be present and pay attention to or help. Grrr.

Fly on the wall: Wouldn’t you love to be one? Not a fly especially; they are, in my opinion, grotty and vile creatures, but I suppose spiders do need to eat. Regardless, a fly on the wall refers to when you can listen in without being noticed. That could be useful, fun, or indeed devastating. And a quick note: flies where I live are indestructible. So a fly on the wall is par for the course. They have no respect for the various methods of execution I have prepared. I’d be happier if the expression was a gecko on the wall. At least they’re cool. But I digress, sorry, the rage overtook me.

(Tech has) Come on: Come on in this context means improve, or make strides.

Abolishment: I mentioned this word and then suddenly doubted whether the word existed… But it seems that both abolishment and abolition are accepted, though the latter is more common.

Call it a day: Let’s accept that it’s over, at least temporarily!

So on that note, I really will call it a day…

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