• VIERNES,  29 MARZO DE 2024

Columnistas  |  26 junio de 2019  |  12:00 AM |  Escrito por: James McCarthy

English Corner No.56

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James McCarthy

A few weeks ago a woman was groped /touched/molested while walking in the centre of Armenia by a (sicko) pervert, like any normal person she retaliated, only to find herself in trouble with the police…Both were questioned, shortly afterwards the man was released without charge, while the (victim) woman was detained for several hours before being released. This is like something out of “Oliver Twist” by Charles Dickens, 1838: If the law supposes that, “then the law is an ass — an idiot”. Dickens used this phrase from an earlier play “Revenge for Honour” first published by the English dramatist George Chapman in 1654. Back to the story in hand (to return), if this is the law in Colombia, what message is it sending out to other victims of abuse be it male or female? If you defend yourself then you are the guilty one, this shouldn’t be. Everyone has the right to defend themselves, so I would have thought! Looks to me like a male-chauvinist- ruling, time to bring it into the 21st century.

Don’t want to scare you but 6 months from today-Yep- Christmas Day. In another week or two shops will start putting out the decorations!

Putting up/home: To decorate. Putting out/shop: On display for sale. Taking down (home)/ Putting away (shop): Back in storage for another year.

Idioms: Law

A law unto themselves: When someone does things their own way and follow their own ideas, instead of following what others do. A slap on the wrist: You give you a mild punishment for making a mistake or doing something wrong. A vested interest: You have a strong personal interest in something because you stand to gain from it. Above board: Something done in a legal and honest way. Above the law: You are not subject to the laws of society.

By the book: You do something strictly according to the rules or the official procedures. Cook the books: Someone keeps inaccurate accounts for a business, usually in order to pay less tax. Cover your tracks: You make sure no-one can find evidence of what you've done. Face the music: You have to accept the consequences of doing something wrong. Fall from grace: You do something that results in a loss of respect and support, especially among those who influence your life or career. Feather your own nest: You use your position or your job illegally for personal gain. Grease someone's palm: You pay someone a bribe. Keep your nose clean: Stay out of trouble. Lay down the law: You tell people what they should do in a forceful and stern way. Mend your ways: You improve your behaviour and stop doing things that cause trouble. Red tape: Strict adherence to rules and regulations so that a procedure seems to take longer than necessary. The jury is still out: Used when a decision still hasn't been made about something. Under the table /backhander: when something is done secretly, usually because it's illegal or unethical, usually money. Bang to rights: Caught in an unlawful or immoral act. Bail out: To rescue someone from a bad situation. Take the fifth: Refuse to answer. Open-and-shut case: A legal case or other matter that is easy to prove or decide because the facts are very clear.

Murphy's Law: Expressed in various humorous popular sayings, to the effect that anything that can go wrong will go wrong. Sods Law: While Murphy's Law says that anything that can go wrong will go wrong (eventually), Sod's law requires that it always goes wrong with the worst possible outcome.

 

Until next Tuesday-Be good

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