VOA · Words and Their Stories
Advanced · C1learner speed4:282025-01-30public domain
Words and Their Stories is VOA's classic program about American English expressions and idioms — where phrases like 'break the ice' come from and how to use them. Native-like idioms in slow, clear speech: a rare combination for learners.
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01And now, words and their stories from VOA Learning English.
02On this program, we explore words and expressions in the English language.
03We give examples and notes on usage.
04Today, we talk about different kinds of politics.
05We start with kitchen table politics.
06The kitchen is often considered the hub or center of the home.
07It is where we gather to not only share a meal, but to talk about the events of the day.
08We often discuss issues of importance with our family and friends around the dining room table.
09So, kitchen table issues are those that affect individuals and their families daily.
10A family might discuss these issues at the kitchen table during mealtimes.
11Rising gas and food prices are two good examples of kitchen table politics.
12These issues affect decisions we make day to day.
13They are sometimes also called dinner table politics.
14Or we could describe them as bread and butter issues.
15Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines bread and butter issues as being as basic as the earning of one's livelihood.
16The online Cambridge Dictionary defines a bread and butter issue as a subject or problem that relates directly to most people's needs and interests.
17For example, affordable food prices and availability of good health care are the kinds of bread and butter political issues that people vote on.
18The noun bread and butter means a way of making a living.
19For example, for a creative writer, her ideas are her bread and butter.
20So, bread and butter political issues deal with our ability to provide for the needs of ourselves and our families.
21Next, let's talk about green politics.
22These political issues deal with caring for the natural environment.
23Green politics can cover ideas such as environmental sustainability, recycling, and threats to wildlife.
24The natural world is central to green politics.
25Identity politics is more personal.
26This term means that a person's political views are formed by their experiences and understanding of themselves.
27Things like gender, age, social and economic position, and religious belief can inform identity politics.
28Finally, we come to gotcha politics.
29This type of politics is centered on damaging opponents through public accusations of wrongdoing or misbehavior.
30Gotcha politics often involves investigation into the private lives, past and present, of politicians in search of negative information.
31In gotcha politics, gotcha is short for I got you, meaning I caught you.
32And that's the end of this Words and Their Stories.
33Until next time, I'm Ana Mateo.
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