Culips Everyday English Podcast

Have you ever wanted to ask for something at a restaurant, but weren’t sure of the best way to phrase it? In this episode, Andrew and Suzanne introduce a phrase that allows you to politely ask for anything at a restaurant. Look out for some useful pronunciation tips, as well! Fun facts The world’s largest restaurant is located in Damascus, Syria. There are 6,014 available seats in this restaurant. That’s a lot of customers! Expressions included in the study guide * To run out of [something] * Whirlwind * Could I get [something], please? * Eavesdrop * Vouch for [something/someone] * To touch upon [something] Credit: Something Elated by Broke For Free

Where do you like to go when you have a vacation? In this Chatterbox episode, Suzanne talks with Andrew about her recent trip to the most populous state in the United States, California. Fun facts If California were an independent country, its economy would be the fifth richest in the world! Expressions included in the study guide * To encapsulate * Dog friendly * Surge * I believe * Have at ’er * Exquisite Credit: Something Elated by Broke For Free

What can you say when you see or experience something that is spectacular and beyond what you expected? In this episode, Andrew and Jeremy share two expressions for you to use during just such an occasion. Fun facts An expression used in this episode, TGIF, is so common that it was borrowed by the founders of the popular restaurant chain TGI Fridays. Expressions included in the study guide * Through the roof * Off the charts * TGIF * Phonetic * Perspective * Yikes Credit: Something Elated by Broke For Free

Calling customer service over the phone can be scary in a second language. In this episode, Andrew gives you key expressions to help you communicate over the phone when asking about a product. Fun facts Have you ever noticed that telephone numbers in American movies usually start with the number 555? That’s because they don’t want viewers to call a real telephone number. “Hello, is this Harry Potter?” “No! Stop calling this number!” Expressions included in the study guide * It’s just me * To break [something] down * To get [one’s] hands dirty * No worries * Best guess * I was wondering if you Credit: Something Elated by Broke For Free

Are you a creative person? Are you curious about learning some new vocabulary about art and drawing? Then listen to this Simplified Speech episode, in which Andrew and Jeremy talk about their attempts at drawing. Fun facts Did you know that Pablo Picasso, the famous Spanish artist, was also an animal lover? In his lifetime, he had a pet monkey, an owl, a goat, a turtle, and packs of dogs and cats. He could have opened his own zoo! Expressions included in the study guide * Chicken scratch * To come naturally to * Doodle * Natural talent * To trace Credit: Something Elated by Broke For Free

Forest fires have been ravaging the western coast of the United States and Canada for several months now, with devastating consequences. In this Chatterbox episode, Jeremy and Andrew discuss the terrifying results of these natural disasters and how the fires affect those who live within the burn zones. Fun facts On average, more than 100,000 wildfires clear 4 to 5 million acres of land in the United States each year. However, in recent years, that number has increased to as much as 9 million acres a year due to climate change. A wildfire can move at speeds up to 23 kilometres per hour, destroying everything in its path, such as plants and animals—even entire towns have succumbed to the wrath of these beastly fires. Expressions included in the study guide * Thick blanket of [something] * Hazy * To fill someone in [on someone or something] * Shocked * To make sense * To rely on Credit: Something Elated by Broke For Free

It might only be one little word, but putting though at the end of a sentence can make a big difference. Join Andrew and Jeremy as they run through the many ways of ending a sentence with though.  Fun facts In this episode, our hosts talk about expressions that are interchangeable. In English, strangely, the words flammable and inflammable mean the same thing! Expressions included in the study guide * Though * I’m not sure, though * Thanks, though * Short but sweet * To grab [food/drink] * Polished Credit: Something Elated by Broke For Free

Would you open your home to total strangers? Sounds bizarre, but it is the basis of a thriving business. Join Andrew and Morag as they talk about their experiences with Airbnb. Fun facts Throughout the world, there are all kiAlthough Airbnb was founded only 10 years ago, it now has revenue of over $2 billion!nds of summer camps. You can go to an English camp, a music camp, a theatre camp, even a weight loss camp! Expressions included in the study guide * Local * Less than stellar * Dingy * To fish around * In the cards * Calculated risk Credit: Something Elated by Broke For Free

Attending summer camp is a very North American experience. Join Andrew and Morag as they share their memories of attending summer camp. Fun facts Throughout the world, there are all kinds of summer camps. You can go to an English camp, a music camp, a theatre camp, even a weight loss camp! Expressions included in the study guide * To pay the price for it * No kidding * Bunch * Back in the day * To empower * To launch [something] Credit: Something Elated by Broke For Free

Are you a very important person? Do you deal with VIPs all the time? In this Catch Word episode, Andrew and Jeremy discuss expressions that will help you in the world of heavy hitters and big shots! Fun facts Canada is closelBaseball player Babe Ruth is the epitome of a heavy hitter. In 1920, he broke the record for most home runs in one season, with 54 home runs. He beat the previous season’s record of 29 held by … Babe Ruth!y associated with maple syrup. Globally, around 70% of maple syrup is produced in the province of Quebec alone. No wonder the maple leaf is on the Canadian flag! Expressions included in the study guide * Heavy hitter * Big shot * To be at the top of [one’s] game * Corporate * To slack off * You betcha Credit: Something Elated by Broke For Free

Poutine, maple syrup, Nanaimo bars—all great Canadian food! In this Chatterbox episode, Andrew and Morag talk about typical Canadian food. Join them—but beware, you might get hungry! Fun facts Canada is closely associated with maple syrup. Globally, around 70% of maple syrup is produced in the province of Quebec alone. No wonder the maple leaf is on the Canadian flag! Expressions included in the study guide * To dip one’s toe * Fiddly * To live abroad * Dope * To go mental * Go get lost Credit: Something Elated by Broke For Free

In this week’s episode, Andrew and Jeremy teach you two new idioms about preferences. These idioms do not describe your own preferences, but rather are phrases you can use when describing other people’s preferences, interests, and quirks. Let’s find out what they are! Fun facts Do you know why boats float? It’s because of a phenomenon called displacement, discovered by the Greek scientist Archimedes a couple thousand years ago. When an object is placed in water, it pushes water out of the way to make room for itself—this is called displacement. If the weight of the object is less than the weight of water displaced, the object will float. Boats float because the water they displace weighs more than the boats themselves. Cool, right? Expressions included in the study guide * Whatever floats your boat * To each their own * Stupendous * To be into [something] * Can’t stand [something] * Nuts Credit: Something Elated by Broke For Free

What do ice cream, air conditioners, and sunscreen all have in common? You can find them all in summertime! In this Simplified Speech episode, Andrew and Morag take a walk down memory lane by reminiscing about their childhood summer adventures. Join them in their trip to discover how they spent their summer vacations. Fun facts Here are two fun summer facts you’re sure to enjoy. Number 1: Do you like ice cream? If so, July must be your favourite month, because it’s National Ice Cream Month. Number 2: What do you think is the most annoying thing about summer? Besides the unbearable heat, mosquitos come to mind. These pesky bugs have been annoying Earth’s inhabitants for more than 30 million years. Just imagine how many mosquito bites have been suffered during that time! Expressions included in the study guide * To take a walk down memory lane * Strongest memories * Circumnavigate * RV * Roughing it * Stay tuned Credit: Something Elated by Broke For Free

Who doesn’t love sleep? In this Simplified Speech episode, Andrew and Jeremy talk about sleep patterns and helpful tips for getting a better night’s sleep. Fun facts Did you know that 12% of people dream entirely in black and white? Also, the longest recorded period of no sleep was made by Randy Gardner in 1964. He went 11 whole days without sleeping! Expressions included in the study guide * Deep sleeper/light sleeper * I’m with you 100% * Gotta run * Check it out * A [something] thing Credit: Something Elated by Broke For Free

Is there someone in your life who is boring and pessimistic, and ruins all of your fun? Have you ever wondered what you could call that type of person in English? Well, look no further! In today’s Catch Word episode, Andrew and Jeremy give you some perfect expressions to use. Fun facts Buzz is an example of an onomatopoeia, a word that resembles the sound it describes. Some other examples are slap, zoom, and flap. Expressions included in the study guide * Buzzkill * To suck the air out of the room * Downer * Peer pressure * Wordy Credit: Something Elated by Broke For Free