Digest

This podcast episode covers a variety of topics, starting with the revival of manual bell ringing in Spain. A school in northeastern Spain is dedicated to preserving this traditional art form, which was once a vital communication method in European communities. The founder, Xavier Pias, emphasizes the rich language of bell ringing and its potential to strengthen local communities. The episode then moves on to a listener's question about the difference between "whose" and "who's." The teacher explains that "who's" is a contraction of "who is" or "who has," while "whose" is a possessive pronoun. Next, the podcast explores idioms related to banks and money in American English. It explains the meaning of "bank on something," "like money in the bank," "take that to the bank," and "laugh all the way to the bank." Finally, the episode tells the tall tale of Pecos Bill, a legendary cowboy of the American West. The story recounts his unusual childhood, his extraordinary adventures, and his eventual marriage to Sloughfoot Sue, a wild woman who rides a giant catfish.

Outlines

00:00:00

The Revival of Manual Bell Ringing and American Idioms

This chapter explores the revival of manual bell ringing in Spain, a tradition that was once a vital communication method in European communities. It also delves into idioms related to banks and money in American English, explaining the meaning of phrases like "bank on something" and "like money in the bank."

00:06:45

Ask a Teacher: "Whose" vs. "Who's"

This segment addresses a listener's question about the difference between "whose" and "who's." The teacher explains that "who's" is a contraction of "who is" or "who has," while "whose" is a possessive pronoun.

00:15:36

American Story: Pecos Bill, the Cowboy Legend

This segment tells the tall tale of Pecos Bill, a legendary cowboy of the American West. The story recounts his unusual childhood, his extraordinary adventures, and his eventual marriage to Sloughfoot Sue, a wild woman who rides a giant catfish.

Keywords

Q&A

• What is the significance of manual bell ringing in Spain?

  Manual bell ringing is a traditional practice that was once a vital communication method in European communities. It is being revived in Spain to preserve this cultural heritage and its unique language of sounds.

• How does the teacher explain the difference between "whose" and "who's"?

  "Who's" is a contraction of "who is" or "who has," and is followed by a verb or a prepositional/noun phrase. "Whose" is a possessive pronoun, used to ask about ownership and followed by a noun or adjectives like "this," "that," "these," or "those."

• What are some idioms related to banks and money in American English?

  "Bank on something" means to trust or count on something happening. "Like money in the bank" refers to something that is a guarantee or certainty. "Take that to the bank" means something is true or certain to happen. "Laugh all the way to the bank" means to make a lot of money with little effort or from something others find unfair.

• What are some of the extraordinary feats attributed to Pecos Bill?

  Pecos Bill is said to have carried his injured horse for a hundred miles, wrestled a 50-foot rattlesnake, ridden a mountain lion, and created the biggest ranch in the southwest. He is also credited with inventing the lasso, branding iron, and cowboy songs.

Show Notes