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Words and Their StoriesLearning Expressions with VOA
Processed with VS1Recognize wordplay from 2020 and understand why some jokes and coined terms have aged poorly.
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Source: VOA Learning English · Words and Their Stories
View original article & transcriptThis May 2020 episode reports on new wordplay created during the early COVID-19 lockdown, including blends and puns such as “quarantini.” The examples are a historical snapshot of how people used humor during an unusual period, not current health guidance. Some terms from that moment were insulting or relied on alcohol or body-shaming jokes, so this lesson focuses on how wordplay is formed and how to evaluate its tone.
Cultural note: Several expressions reported in the source are now dated and some are insults. Do not use “covidiot” or “moronavirus” to label people; avoid jokes that shame bodies or trivialize illness. “Flatten the curve” was a public-health phrase used in 2020; consult current public-health sources for present-day guidance.
Keep exploringPeople combined familiar words to make new jokes in 2020. The language is a time capsule—and a reminder that humor can include or hurt.
Phrase guide · 4 expressions
Original explanations and examples, created for learners. Save a card for later or hear the phrase spoken by your browser.
Notice how parts of words can be combined for a playful effect.
Meaning
The clever or humorous use of words, sounds, or multiple meanings.
Tone & use
Wordplay can entertain, but the audience and the people targeted by a joke matter.
Example
“The headline used wordplay to connect the festival’s name with its theme.”
Meaning
A word formed by combining parts of two or more words.
Tone & use
Also called a portmanteau. Explain the source words when a blend is unfamiliar.
Example
““Brunch” is a blend formed from “breakfast” and “lunch.””
Label temporary terms and public phrases with their time period.
Meaning
A playful blend used in 2020 for a cocktail associated with quarantine.
Tone & use
Historical and alcohol-related; not appropriate for every audience. It combines “quarantine” with “martini.”
Example
“The article reported “quarantini” as a 2020 blend, but the term is now mostly a period reference.”
Meaning
A public-health phrase used to describe reducing how quickly an outbreak spreads over time.
Tone & use
The phrase was prominent during the 2020 pandemic. Treat it as historical language here, not current medical advice.
Example
“A history class studied how “flatten the curve” appeared in public messages in 2020.”
Knowledge check
Choose the expression that best fits each situation.
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