Here are some words and concepts that will be covered in Lesson One of the downloadable Lesson Guide (225K PDF file).


Old: describes thing that has been around for a long time, or a person who has lived a long time

• The concept of old is relative, depending on the type of object or person being described, and from whose perspective.
• A phrase such as "five years old" gives something a definite age.
• There are many usages of "old," relating to the concepts of former, traditional, stale, already known, worn out, and others.
• The opposite can be "new," "young," or "fresh."
• Synonyms, or words with similar meaning, are "ancient," "antique," and "elderly."

• "Worn" has nuances when followed by a prepositional adverb, as in "worn out," "worn down," "worn in," and "worn away."

• Overcoat is a compound word.
• There are many different kinds of coats, such as raincoat, ski parka, fur coat, and cloak.
• An animal's fur is sometimes called a coat.
• An expression using "coat" is "coat of paint."

• There are many kinds of jackets, such as jean jacket, sport jacket or blazer, and leather jacket.
• Some expressions and phrases using "jacket" are life jacket, yellow jacket, book jacket, and potato in its jacket.

• A life vest is the same thing as a life jacket.
• Many words rhyme with vest: best, jest, nest, pest, rest, test, west, zest, chest, crest, guest, quest.

• Plural is "scarfs" or "scarves."

• "Tie" means the same as "necktie," and is more commonly used.
• A bow tie is a shorter tie with a bow in front.
• "Tie" can also be a verb, meaning to secure two ends of string, rope, ribbon, et cetera.
• Another meaning of "tie" (noun) is when there are an equal number of points in a game or contest, and of "tie" (verb) is to finish a game or contest with an equal number of points on both sides or teams.

• The plural is handkerchiefs or handkerchieves.
• A "kerchief" is a small scarf. It is larger than a handkerchief.