makeup and retake

A makeup (test/exam) is a test taken in school because you were not able to take a previous test. But, I wondered how you call an exam that you take again because you failed it the first time.

My American colleague told me that it should be called a "retake." He also said, though, "it's very rare." In Japan, it's not uncommon. I have taken a retake a couple of times. And one of my Japanese colleagues said she had taken many times.

I think that this difference comes from that of term exams between Japan and the states. In Japan, sometimes the mean score of a term exam is around 50 percent. And 75 percent is a very good score at times. However, as you know, 75 percent is C in the states.

Do you want to be a lackey? Nope.

Today I learned this word.

A lackey or lacquey is a term for a uniformed manservant, in its original meaning (attested 1529, according to the OED).
The modern connotation of "servile follower" appeared later, in 1588 (OED).

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lackey_%28manservant%29

Goober?

Sometimes Hajime looks like a goober, you know.

I learned this slang from my colleague.

goober: a goober is someone who looks/ is a bit silly, not as harsh as stupid or dumb Example: My father in lay looked like a bit of a goober at the
wedding
http://www.slangsite.com/slang/G.html

realize vs recognize

I know an American who is teaching in Tokyo. He believes that he is one of the best ESL teachers. But, I heard that when one of his students asked him about the difference between to "realize" and to "recognize," he said "English is sometimes very difficult."

A dictionary explains this way:

realize: to understand a situation, sometimes suddenly

recognize: to accept that something is legal, true, or important.

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary

mop vs map

I taught English pronunciation today. It included the difference between "map" and "mop." This reminds me of my experience.

When I lived in Missouri, one of my friends visited my house. He went to the gas station near my house. He wanted to have a map of Missouri. And he said, "Can I have a map of Missouri?"

But, his "map" sounded like "mop." Therefore, the girl working there looked confused. Nobody can imagine what "map of Missouri" is...

It's Snowing in Tokyo

Chime

My boss showed me a book and asked me to make up a plan using the idea of the book. The book contains a lot of phrases used as a chime or response. I looked over the book and find it funny. But, I felt it difficult to make a program of English conversation course. Probably, most native speakers don't want to hear the phrases below from Japanese English learners in business:

A: See you later alligator.
B: After a while crocodile.

This kicks ass!

No way, Jose!