Every month, we take a look at a word in the headlines, in English, for your English. See more at The Word of the Month.
Definitions
A ring: a circular shape, band or loop.
To ring: to make a resonant sound; to make a phone call, etc.
Ring is irregular:
I ring the doorbell.
You rang the police.
They’ve rung the alarm.
Now I’m in jail.
Rings in the news
5 rings, representing 5 continents, are the symbol of the Olympic Games, held this month in Sochi, Russia.
Narratives of the month: fraternity, unity, competition spirit, joy, boycotts, terrorist threats, political tensions and chauvinism.
“Bo-ring” Sports (Get it?)
Curling: A contest to sweep ice compulsively with a broom. Seriously.
Bobsled: Dudes in skintight clothes hug as they race to their deaths at insane speeds.
Biathlon: Shooting rifles while cross-country skiing, just like the ancient Greeks.
The Ring Hit Parade
#3 Ring of fire: Compares love to a flaming, hellish inferno. How romantic.
#2 Ring Ring Ring: The funkiest song about answering machines ever.
#1 Ring my bell: Subtle euphemism meaning “Please have sex with me.”
Love, sex, “cool” sports and phones. Does that ring a bell?
Take a look through our Word of the Month archives, or improve your English with gymglish.com.