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B1 Video: THE ALPHABET EXPLAINED: The origin of every letter

Updated: Jan 11



Accent: Modern Received Pronunciation.

Subtitles: Yes.


Word List


00:02 - ox - Plural: oxen

  • Definition: A large, strong animal used to pull heavy loads or for farming.

  • Note: It's an older word that sounds more literary nowadays. Cow is the modern equivalent.

  • Example: The farmer used an ox to plow the field.


00:05 - started off

  • Definition: To begin doing something or to start in a particular way.

  • Example: We started off by introducing ourselves to the group.

00:31 - have a pee

  • Definition: To urinate (informal).

  • Note: You can also "go for a pee".

  • Example: I’ll be right back; I need to have a pee.

01:05 - bendy

  • Definition: Flexible or able to bend easily.

  • Example: This bendy straw makes it easier to drink.

01:16 - go way back

  • Definition: To have known someone for a long time.

  • Example: We go way back; we’ve been friends since primary school.

01:25 - started out

  • Definition: To begin in a particular way or role.

  • Example: She started out as a teacher before becoming a writer.

01:50 - lesser known

  • Definition: Not as popular or famous.

  • Example: This is one of the lesser-known beaches in the area.

01:53 - kind of/sort of

  • Definition: A little or somewhat (informal).

  • Example: I’m kind of tired today.

02:55 - spelling out

  • Definition: Explaining something clearly and in detail.

  • Example: The teacher spelled out the rules of the game.

  • Definition 2: Writing or saying the letters of a word in order

  • Example: She spelled out her name, “E-M-I-L-Y,” for the receptionist.

03:00 - co-opted

  • Definition: Taken over or used for a different purpose.

  • Example: The slogan was co-opted by the new advertising campaign.

03:37 - get hold of sth

  • Definition: To find, obtain, or take something.

  • Example: I need to get hold of a copy of that book.

03:40 - tweaked

  • Definition: Made small changes to improve something.

  • Example: He tweaked the recipe to make it less spicy.

04:00 - meddled

  • Definition: Interfered or got involved in something that isn’t your concern.

  • Example: He meddled in their argument and made things worse.

04:08 - tidied them up

  • Definition: Made something more organised or neat.

  • Example: She tidied up the files on her desk.

04:31 - fella

  • Definition: A man or guy (informal).

  • Example: That fella over there is my neighbor.

05:02 - be stripped of sth

  • Definition: To have something taken away.

  • Example: He was stripped of his title after the scandal.


05:19 - somehow

  • Definition: In a way that is not clear or specific.

  • Example: Somehow, we managed to finish the project on time.


05:21 - kink (n)

  • Definition: A small problem or flaw.

  • Example: We need to fix a few kinks in the system before it works perfectly.

  • Definition 2: A sharp twist or bend in something, especially a rope, pipe, or wire.

  • Example: There’s a kink in the garden hose, so the water isn’t flowing properly.


05:26 - peeper

  • Definition: Slang for an eye.

  • Example: I got something in my peeper while I was outside.

05:56 - utterly

  • Definition: Completely or totally.

  • Example: I was utterly surprised by the news.

06:24 - cattle

  • Definition: Cows and bulls raised on farms.

  • Example: The farmer has a herd of cattle.


06:26 - prod (noun)

  • Definition: A tool used to poke or move animals, such as cattle.

  • Example: The farmer used a cattle prod to guide the cows into the pen.

06:36 - twizzled around

  • Definition: Spun or twisted around.

  • Example: He twizzled the pen around in his fingers.

07:15 - took on

  • Definition: Changed shape or form.

  • Example: The clay took on the shape of a bowl as he worked on it.

08:15 - niche

  • Definition: A small, specific area of interest or activity.

  • Example: She found her niche in designing eco-friendly clothes.

11:31 - get over sth

  • Definition: To recover emotionally from something.

  • Example: It took him weeks to get over the breakup.

12:37 - elongated

  • Definition: Made longer.

  • Example: The shadows looked elongated in the evening light.

13:05 - be into sth

  • Definition: To like or enjoy something a lot.

  • Example: She’s really into photography.

13:12 - stragglers

  • Definition: People or animals that are slow and behind the others.

  • Example: The guide waited for the stragglers to catch up.

13:13 - blast through sth

  • Definition: To do something very quickly.

  • Example: He blasted through the homework in just an hour.

13:28 - pop on

  • Definition: To quickly put something on.

  • Example: You can pop on a jacket if it’s cold outside.

13:29 - spur (noun)

  • Definition: A thing that motivates or encourages action.

  • Example: The prize money was a spur for him to work harder.

  • Definition 2: A small, pointed metal piece on a rider’s boot, used to urge a horse to move

  • Example: The rider lightly touched the horse with his spur to make it go faster.

13:55 - so to speak

  • Definition: Used to explain that you are speaking figuratively.

  • Example: We’ve reached the end of the road, so to speak, with this project.

14:11 - funky

  • Definition: Unusual and cool or interesting (informal).

  • Example: She has a funky style that everyone admires.

14:12 - fellow - a more informal version of this word is fella

  • Definition: A person, usually a man.

  • Example: That fellow over there helped me find my lost keys.

14:27 - wound up

  • Definition: Ended up in a particular situation.

  • Example: He wound up being late because he missed the bus.

15:25 - upper case/lower case

  • Definition: Uppercase letters are capital letters, and lowercase letters are small ones.

  • Example: Write your name in uppercase letters on the form.

16:10 - frolicking

  • Definition: Playing and moving around happily.

  • Note: It sounds quite humourous when you use this to describe people, which I'm sure was the effect the presenter was aiming for. It's used more often in a literary sense, especially for animals. For people, it can also sound euphemistic, even sounding a little sexual.

  • Example: The horses were frolicking happily in the field.

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