"B" is for "bank"

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Here is another common word that everyone knows. Right? So, what do the fisherman and the casino have to do with bank? This link takes you to multiple definitions. Most people are familiar with the first meaning of bank as the place where we deposit and withdraw money or cash for our daily life.  It can function as a verb or a noun.

The second illustration of a man fly-fishing may not make one think of a bank. However, if you like to fish in freshwater along a stream or river, you can imagine walking along a river bank looking for a good spot to throw your line into. The bank of a river is the raised or sloped portion of land that borders a river or stream. It is what defines a river or stream - without a bank or some border or edge, the water would look like an open sea.

Finally, what is the connection between a casino and bank? When people go to a casino, they usually hope to win some money while having fun playing games, such as poker, Black Jack, roulette, craps, and the slot machines. They bank on winning!

"D" is for "date"

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One of the hardest parts of learning English is learning multiple meanings of common words in English. However, this problem can be looked at as an advantage since one word can do double or triple duty in different contexts. Take, for example, the word "date." Sometimes for vocabulary to stick in your memory, it helps to have a visual image, so I have provided some illustrations to help you. 

In the first photo (#1), you see something that looks like an orchard of palm trees.They are date palms. Although I've never had fresh dates, I am told by my Middle Eastern students that people in that region of the world eat both dried and fresh dates.There are several different types of date, and some of them are as sweet or sweeter than honey!  

The second photo is a common scene around the world, with a happy couple facing each other over a meal. The reader can easily imagine this young lady and man are out on a date (#2). This is the meaning that many students will be familiar with. In this second case, date can act as a verb or a noun. For example, "Jane and Jim have been dating each other for a year."  "They often go out on dates."  

Finally, photo #3 shows a calendar with an important date circled in red. An important date usually includes the month, day, and year of a noteworthy event, such as an earthquake or a birth. In addition, date can be used as a verb, such as "dating (=writing a date on ) a letter or postcard" that you are sending to a friend.  Now you have five different ways to use the word date.