ESL Podcast 827 - Fad Dieting
to not look so hot - to not have a very good appearance; to seem tired or sick; to be unattractive or at least less attractive than one normally is
The team spent all night working on their report, so they didn't look so hot during the presentation the next morning.
perfectly - a word used to emphasize the word that follows
That story is perfectly scandalous! Do you think it's true?
grouchy - in a bad mood; negative and not pleasant to be around; feeling irritated and annoyed by everything and everyone
Hannah becomes very grouchy when she doesn't get enough sleep.
to diet - to try to lose weight by limiting the types or amount of things that one eats and drinks
Craig lost a few pounds through dieting, but then he gained them all back.
to pop pills - to take medicine; to swallow pills, often too many or too often
The doctor said it's okay to pop pills to help fall asleep every once in a while, but not every night.
to shed - to lose; to get rid of something, especially when one still has more of that thing; to drop something
Have you ever seen a snake shed its skin?
pound (lb) - a unit for measuring weight; approximately .45 kilos
How much does a 10-pound bag of potatoes cost?
fad diet - a set of rules for how people should eat to lose weight that becomes very popular for a short period of time, but is not effective over long periods of time
Jackie is trying a new fad diet where she can only eat grapefruit and cabbage soup.
onto - aware of something and interested in it and participating in it or being involved in it while being very excited and enthusiastic about it
Edgar is onto a great job opportunity. Hopefully he'll do well in the interview.
guaranteed - promising to work well or be successful, so that there is no risk of failure or loss
This toothpaste is guaranteed to make your teeth whiter in just two weeks.
slim - thin; not heavy, fat, or overweight
Zoey is very slim and wears size two clothing.
infomercial - a long commercial, often 20-30 minutes, that sells a product or service but seems to be more like a TV program
Have you seen the infomercial for knives that can cut through anything, even tin cans?
scientifically proven - tested by scientists in a laboratory and demonstrated to be successful
Many people think ginseng can improve memory, but has it been scientifically proven?
to lose weight - to make oneself lighter by getting rid of some of the fat in one's body; to reduce the amount one weighs
You look fantastic! Have you lost weight?
to make fun of - to tease someone and say funny but slightly mean things; to make a joke out of someone or something
All the students made fun of William when they found out he still sleeps with a stuffed animal.
bleeping - a word used in the place of a curse word (a bad word) because the word one actually wants to use would be too rude or cannot be shown in print
That bleeping driver backed up without even looking behind him!