VOA · Words and Their Stories
Advanced · C1learner speed4:332024-08-08public 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.
02People around the world share many things in common, but we are also different from each other.
03Not only do we look, think, and act differently, but we also like different things.
04Even identical twins may look the same, but are very different individuals.
05On today's program, we will look at a few expressions to describe how no person is exactly the same as another.
06The first expression involves trash and treasure.
07When we say one person's trash is another person's treasure, we mean that something that one person may consider worthless could be highly prized or valued by someone else.
08Let's hear an example of how to use this expression.
09I really don't understand the appeal of Jackson Pollock's paintings.
10To me, they look like a team of monkeys painted them.
11I love Pollock's paintings.
12I see something new every time I look at them.
13Well, I guess it's true what they say.
14One person's trash is another person's treasure.
15Now, rubbish and garbage mean the same as trash.
16But in this expression, we use trash.
17Because the TR in trash and treasure makes the expression sound more natural.
18It just sounds better.
19And sometimes we use the word man in place of person.
20Such as, one man's trash is another man's treasure.
21Again, it is just easier to say.
22Another expression with a similar meaning is, different strokes for different folks.
23This also means that different things appeal to different people.
24But as a set expression, we do not say different strokes for different people.
25That just doesn't sound right.
26Different strokes for different folks can also mean that people live in different ways and value different things.
27For example, a perfect evening for my friend is to go out and dance all night long.
28For me, a perfect evening is to stay at home with a book and a cup of tea.
29Neither is a better way to spend the evening, so we should not judge.
30Or in other words, different strokes for different folks.
31When we want to say that we are all different and like different things without judgment, we can also use the following expressions.
32It takes all kinds.
33It takes all kinds to make the world go round.
34It takes all kinds.
35To each his own.
36Or to each her own.
37Whatever floats your boat.
38They all mean whatever makes you happy.
39And all of these expressions have the same general meaning.
40We are all different and unique.
41And that's the end of this Words and Their Stories.
42Until next time, I'm Ana Mateo.
43I'm Ana Mateo.
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45I'm Ana Mateo.
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// transcribed with Whisper AI — reading it is easy; catching it by ear is the skill
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