WORDS THEIR STORIES - Words and Their Stories: All About Names
[audio]http://www.51voa.com/path.asp?url=/201111//201111/se-ws-all-about-names-26nov11.mp3[/audio][p=18, 2, left]Now, the VOA Special English program, Words and Their Stories.
(MUSIC)[/p][p=18, 2, left]A person's name is very important. Some names also have special meanings in popular American expressions. To better understand what I mean, sit back and listen. You might even want to get [b]a cup of Joe[/b], I mean, a cup of coffee.[/p][p=18, 2, left]One day, [b]an average Joe[/b] was walking down the street. An average Joe is a common person – either male or female. This average Joe was lost. He [b]did not know Jack[/b] about where he was going. By this, I mean he did not know anything about where to find things in the city.[/p][p=18, 2, left]So average Joe asked [b]John Q. Public[/b] for directions to the nearest bank. John Q. Public is also a common person – male or female.[/p][p=18, 2, left][b]"Jeez Louise,"[/b] said John Q. Public. This is an expression of surprise. "Jeez Louise, don't you know that all banks are closed today? It is Saturday."[/p][p=18, 2, left][b]"For Pete's sake,"[/b] said average Joe. This is also an expression used to show a feeling like surprise or disappointment.[/p][p=18, 2, left]"For Pete's sake. I do not believe you," said average Joe. He was being [b]a doubting Thomas[/b], someone who does not believe anything he is told.[/p][p=18, 2, left]At that moment, [b]Joe Blow[/b] was walking down the street with a woman. Joe Blow is also an expression for a common man. Now this Joe Blow was NOT walking next to[b]a plain Jane[/b]. A plain Jane is a woman who is neither ugly nor pretty. She is simply plain. No, the woman with Joe Blow was a real [b]Sheila[/b] – a beautiful woman. [/p][p=18, 2, left]Average Joe asked the woman if all banks were closed on Saturday. [b]"No way, Jose,"[/b] she answered. This is a way of saying "no." "No way, Jose. Many banks are open on Saturdays."[/p][p=18, 2, left]Average Joe [b]did not know either of these two people from Adam[/b]. That is, he did not know them at all. But he followed their directions to the nearest bank.[/p][p=18, 2, left]When he arrived, he walked to the desk of the chief bank employee. Now this man was a true [b]Jack of all trades[/b]. He knew how to do everything.[/p][p=18, 2, left]"I am here to withdraw some money so I can pay my taxes to [b]Uncle Sam[/b]," said average Joe. Uncle Sam represents the United States government. The banker produced some papers and told average Joe to sign his [b]John Hancock[/b] at the bottom. A John Hancock is a person's signed name – a signature. Historically, John Hancock was one of the signers of the United States Declaration of Independence. Hancock had a beautiful signature and signed his name larger than all the others.[/p][p=18, 2, left]As average Joe left the bank he began to sing. But sadly, average Joe was not a good singer. He was a [b]Johnny One Note[/b]. He could only sing one note.[/p][p=18, 2, left](MUSIC)[/p][p=18, 2, left]This VOA Special English program, WORDS AND THEIR STORIES, was written by Jill Moss. I'm Faith Lapidus.[/p]
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