The Story of Jack Frost

01Now, from VOA Learning English, it's time for Words and Their Stories.

02If this is your first time with us, this program explores words and expressions commonly used in American English.

03We take a look at where they come from and how best to use them.

04So, as winter officially comes to half the world, today we celebrate an expression that means winter is coming.

05When temperatures drop and a cold snap comes, that means one thing.

06Jack Frost has arrived.

07Jack Frost represents the coming of dark, cold days.

08He is the personification of winter, a human form of winter weather.

09So, when we say Jack Frost is nipping at your nose, we mean that you feel the cold, icy effects of winter on your face.

10When a frost or deep freeze comes, you had better bundle up.

11You should wear enough clothing to stay warm.

12Now, Jack Frost does indeed bring the cold of winter, but he can also create beauty in nature.

13Some traditions claim that Jack Frost is responsible for leaving ice and snow on windows, trees, the ground, anywhere it will stick.

14While we know frost is a natural event, it is fun to think that an imaginary creature named Jack Frost, or another name in some other cultures, changed the world into a winter wonderland.

15That is what poet Hannah Flagg-Gould must have been thinking when she wrote a poem called The Frost.

16Here are parts of that poem.

17The Frost looked forth one still clear night, and he said, Now I shall be out of sight.

18Then he went to the mountain and powdered its crest.

19He climbed up the trees, and their boughs he dressed with diamonds and pearls.

20With all of its beauty and extremes, winter is a great subject for songs and poetry.

21But now, let's listen to how we use these wintry expressions in conversation.

22It is freezing outside.

23This cold snap came out of nowhere.

24I don't care how cold it is.

25I'm going on a hot date.

26Is that all you're wearing?

27You need to bundle up, or Jack Frost will be nipping at more than your nose.

28Oh, I'll be fine.

29I'm wearing my new coat.

30That is not a winter coat.

31I mean, it looks great, but it's much too thin.

32You will catch a cold.

33I know.

34You can wear my new down coat.

35It keeps you warm up to minus 30 degrees Celsius.

36I'm going on a date.

37Not exploring the Arctic Circle.

38Thanks, but I'm not wearing that big, thick black coat.

39Besides, the taxi will take me from door to door.

40But what if something goes wrong?

41What if the car skids on the ice and is involved in an accident?

42You'll have to walk to the restaurant.

43You might freeze to death.

44No, I won't.

45I'll just call an Uber to come and get me.

46And what if that vehicle runs out of fuel?

47Then you'll have to walk to get more.

48No, the Uber driver will.

49I'll just call another car.

50What if that new Uber driver is a pregnant woman and she goes into labor?

51You'll have to help.

52You'll have to wait outside in the cold until help arrives and the roads are already covered with five centimeters of snow.

53It could take the ambulance an hour to get to you.

54If you're wearing that thin coat, you'll catch your death.

55The EMTs will find you frozen solid like a block of ice.

56Stop, stop.

57You win.

58Give me your coat.

59Good decision.

60Here's my ride.

61Don't forget gloves, a hat, and a scarf.

62Okay, goodbye.

63Have fun.

64And that's the end of this Words and Their Stories.

65Until next time, I'm Ana Mateo.

66Bye.

67Bye.

68Bye.

69Bye.

70Bye.

71Bye.

72Bye.