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Words and Their StoriesLearning Expressions with VOA
Processed with VS1Learn how major events can change the attention and everyday use of a word.
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Source: VOA Learning English · Words and Their Stories
View original article & transcriptThis November 2020 report explains why several dictionaries selected pandemic-related words for that year. Merriam-Webster and Dictionary.com chose “pandemic,” while Cambridge selected “quarantine” and Collins selected “lockdown.” The article describes how a technical public-health word became part of everyday discussion; it is a historical language story, not current health advice.
Cultural note: “Pandemic,” “quarantine,” and “lockdown” have specific meanings that may vary by policy and context. Use current public-health sources for present-day guidance. In ordinary language, “come as a shock” means surprise someone; it does not mean the event is medically shocking.
Keep exploringSome words become part of daily conversation when a major event changes how people live and what they need to discuss.
Phrase guide · 4 expressions
Original explanations and examples, created for learners. Save a card for later or hear the phrase spoken by your browser.
Discuss how context can make a word more visible.
Meaning
Acquire an additional or changed meaning in a particular context.
Tone & use
Use for shifts in how a word is understood or applied. The older meaning may still remain in use.
Example
“The phrase “remote work” took on a new meaning for many families in 2020.”
Use an idiom for an unexpected result.
Meaning
Surprise or upset someone because it was unexpected.
Tone & use
Often used with a person as the object: “The news came as a shock to us.” It describes a reaction, not the factual importance of an event.
Example
“The sudden cancellation came as a shock to the volunteers.”
Talk about searches and definitions.
Meaning
Search a dictionary or reference to find what a word means.
Tone & use
A useful phrasal verb for language learning. Check reliable sources when a term has a specialized or changing meaning.
Example
“I looked up the definition of “quarantine” before reading the historical report.”
Meaning
Compared with the same period one year earlier.
Tone & use
Common in statistics and business reporting. The comparison should name the measure and time period; it does not automatically explain why a number changed.
Example
“Library visits increased year over year, though the report did not explain the cause.”
Knowledge check
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