I have defined some of the words (underlined) in the blog post, which you can add to your Personal Dictionary. Click on the Excel icon to download the word list to your PC or mobile device, which you can thereafter import into your Personal Dictionary. They are also listed below.
Scroll down to the bottom for links to a crossword and word search using words from this post.
Synchronise – cause (a set of data or files) to remain identical in more than one location
Umpteen – many; a lot of
Device – a piece of portable electronic equipment that can connect to the internet
Cloud – networked computing facilities providing remote data storage
Analogue – not involving or relating to the use of computer technology
Recurring – occurring again periodically or repeatedly
Ingrained – firmly fixed habit; difficult to change
Approximate – close to the actual, but not completely accurate or exact
Haggis – a Scottish dish consisting of a sheep’s or calf’s offal mixed with suet, oatmeal, and seasoning
Sweetheart – a person with whom someone is having a romantic relationship
Daffodil – a bulbous European plant which typically bears bright yellow flowers with a long trumpet-shaped
Observe – celebrate or acknowledge (an anniversary)
Coincide – occur at the same time
I don’t know about you, but when it comes down to organising my appointments and important dates for the coming year, I save them in my phone and from there they are synchronised with umpteen devices and a backup is stored in the cloud. However, my wife is still analogue and relies on a paper wall planner in the kitchen. In the first week of January, all recurring events are copied on to the new calendar, including birthdays. Of course, if at any time in the future all computers crash and all data is lost, she’ll have the last laugh, because I won’t be able to remember all of my appointments.
Nevertheless, most important dates are ingrained in my head, including birthdays, my wedding anniversary and traditional annual events in the UK. Granted, some of them don’t have a specific date, but I know the approximate date or week when they occur.
The first one comes next week with the celebration of Burn’s night for the Scottish, when haggis is eaten, whiskey is drunk and lots of dancing takes place. Lest not forget Valentine’s Day on February 14, if you are married, in a relationship or want to send a card or a gift to sweetheart.
Shrove Tuesday, also known as Pancake Day, is the eve of Lent, which begins the next day, on Ash Wednesday. This is traditionally the time when people begin a time 6-week fasting time before Easter.
On March 1, the Welsh celebrate their national day, Saint David’s Day, when you can expect to see their flag with the red dragon and lots of daffodils. On March 17 it’s the turn of the Irish – yes, I know they are not part of the UK – but Saint Patrick’s Day is celebrated all over the UK, and the world for that matter. Just over one month later, Saint George’s Day is the turn of the English to celebrate their national day, on April 23. We have to wait until November 30 to celebrate the Scottish National Day, Saint Andrew’s Day, but it will be observed in a similar way to the other countries, with lots of singing, dancing and alcoholic drinks!
Highlights of the calendar year in horse racing are the Cheltenham festival in March, the world-famous Grand National in April, the Derby at Epsom Downs at the beginning of June, and Royal Ascot at the end of the same month. In football, the main events of the year are the FA cup finals in May, for the women, and June, for the men. In tennis, Wimbledon will open its doors to fans of the racquet sport from the beginning to the middle of July, which normally coincides with the rainiest weather we will have all summer!
In the world of music, Glastonbury, a normally peaceful village in Somerset, in the south of England is invaded by over 200,000 music lovers for a weekend of loud music, camping and no sleep.
I’ve just had a look at our wall planner, and our social calendar is already filling up with dates, but unfortunately not Glastonbury, which was sold out a few hours after the tickets went on sale. Maybe next year…
To test your knowledge, why not do a crossword puzzle, using words from this text?
Click here for instructions on how to play.
To test your knowledge, why not do a word search puzzle, using words from this text?
Click here for instructions on how to play.
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