[00:07.80]And now, Words and Their Stories, from VOA Learning English.
[00:18.55]Food is a popular subject with many people around the world.
[00:24.45]It is fun to talk about our favorite dishes.
[00:28.01]It is even more fun to share a favorite dish with others.
[00:33.36]Today we talk about the word "dish."
[00:37.10]A dish can be the object on which you serve food.
[00:41.48]But, a dish can also mean a specially prepared food.
[00:47.72]Do you have a signature dish?
[00:51.14]Our signature is how we sign our names.
[00:54.93]So, a signature dish is a dish we are known for making well. In a way, it identifies us.
[01:04.36]My signature dish is sweet potato rosemary dinner rolls.
[01:10.21]I am often asked to make them, especially for holiday parties.
[01:16.00]In my circle of friends, I am known for this dish.
[01:21.24]When the rolls are on the table, people know that I made them.
[01:27.10]A tasty dish is something that makes a table look good and inviting.
[01:33.56]Sometimes the same can be said about a person.
[01:37.28]Someone who is good-looking can be called a dish.
[01:43.10]While this usage might be a bit dated, it is still used.
[01:48.28]Now, let's talk about the verb "dish."
[01:52.48]"To dish" can mean to talk about private or personal information.
[01:58.85]It might be gossip.
[02:01.40]But I can also dish about myself.
[02:06.51]For example, a friend may ask me to dish about my new job.
[02:12.16]I could also use a phrasal verb form and say my friend want me to dish out all the interesting details.
[02:21.08]Now, to dish up something means to put food on a dish for someone to eat.
[02:28.45]However, it can also mean sharing personal details, our own and others.
[02:35.73]We can also dish out things, like jokes or even insults.
[02:41.65]Some people like to tease or insult.
[02:46.50]They can dish out jokes and insults all day long.
[02:51.39]But sometimes these same people do not like it if you do the same to them.
[02:58.04]We have a saying for just such people.
[03:01.13]We say, "They can dish it out, but they can't take it."
[03:06.35]They are able and willing to share harsh thoughts, criticisms, or insults about others, but they do not think they, themselves, deserve such treatment.
[03:19.16]And that's Words and Their Stories.
[03:21.79]Until next time, I'm Anna Matteo.
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Words in This Story
signature - n. the name of a person written with his or her own hand
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