ESL Podcast 317 - Setting the Table

It's not everyday that... - a phrase used to show that something happens only rarely and is not common or usual

It's not everyday that my favorite singer visits my hometown to perform!

china - porcelain dishes; very nice ceramic plates and bowls used for eating

We use the china only for special holidays: Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's Day.

to set the table - to put napkins, plates, bowls, glasses, and silverware on the table to prepare for a meal

Chashka always sets the table while her father cooks dinner.

tablecloth - a large piece of fabric placed over a table where people eat

Jackie accidentally spilled red wine on the white tablecloth.

linen - a type of cloth or fabric, usually used to make very nice clothes, sheets, and tablecloths

Is that skirt made from linen or cotton?

table setting - all the plates, bowls, cups, silverware, and napkins that are placed in front of one person for a meal

They need eight table settings for all of their guests, but they have room for only six, so the two children will have to eat at another table.

plate - a large, flat, round dish used to hold food for one person during a meal

My mother always told me that if I eat everything on my plate, then I can have dessert.

saucer - a small, flat, round dish that is placed under a teacup

Be careful when you serve the coffee that it doesn't spill all over the saucers.

dinnerware - all the plates, bowls, cups, silverware, and other items used during a meal

Vicky and Vince asked for new dinnerware as a wedding gift.

silverware - forks, knives, and spoons; metal (usually silver-colored) or plastic objects that are used to eat food

Ulysses forgot to bring silverware to the picnic and we all had to eat with our hands.

fork - a metal or plastic object with a handle and three or four points ("tines") at the end that are used to pick up food and bring it toward one's mouth

If you can't pick up the peas with your fork, try using your spoon instead.

tine - one of the sharp points at the end of a fork

Hal picked up the piece of meat by stabbing it with the tines of his fork.

knife - a long, metal or plastic object with a handle and a sharp side that is used to cut food

Which knife is best for slicing bread?

spoon - a metal or plastic object with a handle and a small bowl-like end that is used to pick up liquids and round pieces of food

Can you please give everyone spoons to eat their ice cream?

steak knife - a very sharp knife used to slice meat that is difficult to cut

Even with a steak knife, it was difficult to cut the steak because it was overcooked.

wine glass - a clear cup for holding wine for one person, with a flat, round bottom and a long, thin handle

Pauline doesn't have wine glasses, so we had to drink wine out of plastic cups.

in bad shape - not ready to do something; in poor condition; unhealthy or unfit

Although Vreneli wasn't injured, she was in bad shape after the car accident, too scared to drive anywhere.

a ball of nerves - very nervous, worried, and anxious

Steve was a ball of nerves before his presentation, but we all thought he did very well.