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Buzzwords S1
What Do You Mean& EVERYONE Owns a Crackberry?!
Vocabulary 2
Phrase Usage 3
2
Grammar Points 3
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Vocabulary
English Definition Class
to promise to commit to something in words verb
buzzword a trendy word or phrase noun
app software, commonly associated noun
with the iPhone; short for
application
elevator a boxed platform in a building noun
that transports people or things
from floor to floor
rare not common adjective
constantly always adverb
Crackberry slang term used to refer to a noun
Blackberry device
Blackberry a handheld electronic messaging noun
device that can also be used as a
cell phone
commuter a person who travels to work noun
daily
Vocabulary Sample Sentences
2
I promised my brother I would take him to a
movie.
It seems as though new buzzwords are created
everyday.
I downloaded three new apps for my iPhone
yesterday.
The elevator is out of service today; we'll have to
walk up.
She collects rare books.
Horns are constantly honking in midtown
Manhattan.
All the commuters are always preoccupied with
their Crackberries.
I gave up my Blackberry for an iPhone.
I don't miss my days as a commuter.
LC: BZ_S1L2_071509 © www.EnglishClass101.com - All Rights Reserved 2009-07-
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Vocabulary Phrase Usage
"to promise oneself"
"To promise oneself (something)" means to make an agreement with yourself to do that thing, usually
because it will be helpful to you. For example, "I promised myself that I would lose five pounds by
Christmas."
"never works out"
To say that something, "never works out" is to say that you've tried something many times, and you
never get the results you want. For example, "I try to wake up before seven AM, but it never works
out." Another way to say, "It never works out," is "It just doesn't happen."
"like using a drug"
To say that using an object is "like using a drug" is to say that the object is hard to put down and stop
using.
"to be released"
In the lesson, Sadia talks about the iPhone being "released." "To be released," means to be made
available for sale to the public.
"to get to work"
3
This phrase means to focus on the matter at hand, to do what's important.
"to make the most of"
"To make the most of (something)" means to use that thing as best as you can; to take advantage of
everything it has to offer. In the dialogue, Sadia talks about people "making the most" of their iPhones.
She's talking about people using all of their iPhones' capabilities, or everything the iPhone can do.
"to give up my"
Sadia mentions that iPhone apps make her want "to give up" her Crackberry. "To give up (something)"
is to leave that thing behind for something better.
Grammar Points
The Focus of This Lesson is the Buzzword, "Crackberry."
LC: BZ_S1L2_071509 © www.EnglishClass101.com - All Rights Reserved 2009-07-15
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The Blackberry is a handheld, wireless device that was introduced in 1999 as a two-way paging
device. In 2002, the first "smartphone" version was released. It allowed users to make cellular
telephone calls in addition to sending and receiving messages, including email, and synchronizing the
Blackberry with their computer-based calendars and other utilities. In the past seven years, Blackberry
popularity has grown exponentially. As of late 2008, there were over 20 million Blackberry users.
Because of the ability to receive and send emails in "real time" (i.e., almost instantaneously), and now
the ability to use popular social networking websites like Facebook and Twitter, the Blackberry
platform and Blackberry products are highly addictive to those who like to "stay connected." It's not
uncommon to ride a morning train filled with people typing into their Blackberries as though they are
addicted and can't stop.
In 2006, Webster's New World College Dictionary declared "crackberry" their Word of the Year.
The iPhone needs no introduction or explanation.
Do you have an iPhone or a Blackberry? Are you addicted?
4
LC: BZ_S1L2_071509 © www.EnglishClass101.com - All Rights Reserved 2009-07-15