VOA · Words and Their Stories
Advanced · C1learner speed5:022024-09-13public 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.
02In life, there are times when we lose our way, both literally and figuratively.
03We might get lost walking in the woods or sailing at sea.
04Those are examples of being literally lost.
05We could also lose our way while on our career path.
06That is an example of being figuratively lost.
07If you are physically lost and do not have a compass, you could use the stars in the night sky.
08To know which way to go.
09Especially the North Star.
10Experts at NASA, America's space agency, say this about the North Star.
11If you're in the Northern Hemisphere, it can help you orient yourself and find your way.
12They add that the North Star is not the brightest star in the sky.
13But it is usually easy to see, even from cities.
14The North Star can also help if you get lost figuratively.
15As the world changes around you and grows more complex, you can look to your North Star to help guide you.
16Your North Star can help keep you focused and on track.
17It reminds you of what is important.
18Some people may say their North Star is their guiding light.
19It is something very important to them.
20And it keeps them on the right path.
21Your North Star can also be your personal mission statement.
22It can include your principles and guiding beliefs.
23Your North Star can give your life meaning and direction.
24For some people, their North Star may be a religion.
25For others, it might be a purpose, like teaching people to read.
26Or a North Star can be a mix of important things.
27A similar term for North Star is your moral compass.
28Like the North Star, a moral compass points you in the right direction.
29There is another term that is linked to the North Star.
30A load star is also a star, which is used to find one's way.
31And it can also mean a person who serves as an inspiration, model, or guide.
32The Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary explains that both meanings of load star date back to the 1300s.
33The English poet Geoffrey Chaucer used both meanings of the word in his poems.
34However, by the 1600s, the literal meaning fell out of common use.
35Today, we still use load star in a figurative way, meaning something or someone who guides us.
36During a difficult or important time, many things can act as your North Star or load star.
37For example, when a woman went through a difficult divorce, her close friend was her load star and helped her through it.
38Another example might be when a music teacher and musician moved to a new city.
39He did not know anyone.
40He felt lost and alone.
41So music was his North Star.
42It kept him busy, provided him with employment, and later led to great friendships with other musicians.
43And that's all the time we have for this Words and Their Stories.
44Until next time, I'm Ana Mateo.
45Thank you.
// transcribed with Whisper AI — reading it is easy; catching it by ear is the skill
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