Proverb: "An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure"
Meaning: a little bit of care ("an ounce") can prevent a big problem (which would take a lot more, "a pound," to fix)
Explanation: An "ounce" is 1/16 of a "pound," so it's better to do a little bit BEFORE there's a problem than a lot AFTER the problem happens
Origin: Benjamin Franklin
Meaning: a little bit of care ("an ounce") can prevent a big problem (which would take a lot more, "a pound," to fix)
Explanation: An "ounce" is 1/16 of a "pound," so it's better to do a little bit BEFORE there's a problem than a lot AFTER the problem happens
Origin: Benjamin Franklin
Dialogue
James sees his student, a girl named Anne, putting on some sunscreen.
James: Anna Banana!
Anne: That's not my name.
James: I know; it's just an old playground taunt. Anyway, what are you doing there?
Anne: Just slathering myself in goo. Gotta keep the ol' UV out.
James: I hear ya. "An ounce of prevention" and all that.
Anne: Yup. The last thing I want is to look like a lobster.
James: And then you peel, and get all cruddy.
Anne: I know! And all for the want of a little lotion.
James: Exactly! The way the sun has been, I usually wear a hat when I go out.
Anne: Yeah…uh…I've seen your hat…
James: WHAT?!
Anne: Nothing. I'm sure it does an excellent job of blocking the sun.
James: Why, you! I oughta…
Anne: Down, boy! Just razzing ya. Lighten up!
James: Yeah, you’re a riot. Any more of your lip and I'll pop you one.
Anne: I'm shakin'!
James: Anna Banana!
Anne: That's not my name.
James: I know; it's just an old playground taunt. Anyway, what are you doing there?
Anne: Just slathering myself in goo. Gotta keep the ol' UV out.
James: I hear ya. "An ounce of prevention" and all that.
Anne: Yup. The last thing I want is to look like a lobster.
James: And then you peel, and get all cruddy.
Anne: I know! And all for the want of a little lotion.
James: Exactly! The way the sun has been, I usually wear a hat when I go out.
Anne: Yeah…uh…I've seen your hat…
James: WHAT?!
Anne: Nothing. I'm sure it does an excellent job of blocking the sun.
James: Why, you! I oughta…
Anne: Down, boy! Just razzing ya. Lighten up!
James: Yeah, you’re a riot. Any more of your lip and I'll pop you one.
Anne: I'm shakin'!
Notes
--sunscreen: also called suntan lotion, this is a specially-formulated lotion used to prevent the harmful rays of the sun from burning the skin. People who want to play sports or have fun at the beach use it when they can't remain covered up.
--Anna Banana!: As James says, this is a name that kids call girls named Anne or Anna to make fun of them on the playground
--slathering myself in goo: to "slather" is to apply and spread liberally; "goo" is something like oil or lotion.
--the ol' UV: UV=ultraviolet, the most dangerous rays from the sun.
--to look like a lobster: to become sunburned; the red skin slightly resembles a lobster
--to peel: when the top layer of skin comes off after overexposure to the sun
--cruddy: the skin also becomes a bit crumbly and dirty, making "crud"
[Note: all of the following is said jokingly.]
--Why, you! I oughta…: a comical way of threatening; the sentence is typically left unfinished.
--Down, boy!: a command used on a dog, meaning "Don't attack!"
--to razz: to make fun of, joke with, or annoy
--Lighten up!: "Take it easy!" "Don't be so serious!"
--you’re a riot: "You’re very funny." Sometimes called a "laugh riot."
--lip: sass, backtalk
--I'll pop you one: "I'll hit you."
--I'm shakin'!: "I'm so afraid that I'm shaking." This is sarcasm.
--Anna Banana!: As James says, this is a name that kids call girls named Anne or Anna to make fun of them on the playground
--slathering myself in goo: to "slather" is to apply and spread liberally; "goo" is something like oil or lotion.
--the ol' UV: UV=ultraviolet, the most dangerous rays from the sun.
--to look like a lobster: to become sunburned; the red skin slightly resembles a lobster
--to peel: when the top layer of skin comes off after overexposure to the sun
--cruddy: the skin also becomes a bit crumbly and dirty, making "crud"
[Note: all of the following is said jokingly.]
--Why, you! I oughta…: a comical way of threatening; the sentence is typically left unfinished.
--Down, boy!: a command used on a dog, meaning "Don't attack!"
--to razz: to make fun of, joke with, or annoy
--Lighten up!: "Take it easy!" "Don't be so serious!"
--you’re a riot: "You’re very funny." Sometimes called a "laugh riot."
--lip: sass, backtalk
--I'll pop you one: "I'll hit you."
--I'm shakin'!: "I'm so afraid that I'm shaking." This is sarcasm.
Exercises
Fill in the following with one of the expressions from above. Be sure to use proper grammar (that is, change the forms of words if necessary). Answers are in the first "Comment" below.
1. If you don't stop razzing me, _______.
2. I stayed out in the sun too long and now _________.
3. Come on, that was a joke! _________!
4. Oh, _________! I can't stop laughing!
5. Just do as I ask, and don't give me any _________.
1. If you don't stop razzing me, _______.
2. I stayed out in the sun too long and now _________.
3. Come on, that was a joke! _________!
4. Oh, _________! I can't stop laughing!
5. Just do as I ask, and don't give me any _________.