What this blog is for and about



I also offer personally-tailored, individualized English conversation practice (including etiquette) and coaching in writing techniques. Finally, I edit texts such as magazines, business proposals, memorandums, emails so they are presented in English which does not embarrass you or your organization. For further details, please mail me at: language.etiquette@gmail.com

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13 July 2015

Business English

An email from a business-like chappy just now, saying that he is "solutions orientated", started me thinking. I, too, am solutions-orientated, my favourite one being malted barley in water drawn from the Dubh Lochan up the hill behind Ardbeg, on the isle of Islay, Scotland.

Can any reader tell me by what name that "solution" is more commonly known?

10 July 2015

Useful English expression, no. 37

When you see something as hopeless as this advertisement, you say, "They're really scraping the barrel now!"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K5hDxerZjWU

That means they have totally run out of resources - in this case imagination about ways of utilising Russian cliches (nothing inherently wrong with that if done with a bit of humour) to sell a product.