4 October 2007
Port Louis — Hello and welcome back to the English Language Clinic. Over the last week I have received a record number of questions and queries, regarding a very wide range of subjects. Having recently visited the dentist, one question in particular stood out; "Please explain the term 'mouthwash'".
"Mouthwash" is a liquid that you put in your mouth (at this stage you may also 'gargle', which describes the act of tipping your head back and blowing bubbles through the liquid in your mouth) in order to clean your mouth and make your breath smell pleasant. For many, "mouthwash" is part of a dental hygiene routine, including regular "check-ups" (visits to the dentist) and the use of a "toothbrush", "toothpaste" and "floss".
The act of using a toothbrush and toothpaste can be described as "brushing" or "cleaning" your teeth. "Brushing" refers to the act of using a "brush", either a "toothbrush" or a "hairbrush" (both are examples of "compound nouns", single words formed from two separate nouns). You can "clean" or "brush" your teeth, but you cannot "wash" or "tidy" them.
You can "tidy up" or "clean up" a place, if it is "dirty" or "messy" and if your car needs to be cleaned, you can take it to a "carwash". If there is dirty "crockery" (plates, bowls, cups, saucers) or "cutlery" (knives, forks, spoons) in your kitchen, it is known as "washing up". You can "do the washing up" (clean the dirty items) or if you are very lucky, you might have a "dishwasher". If you do a very good job at cleaning up you might describe the results as being "spic-and-span", "clean as a whistle" or "good as new".
Please send your comments, queries and questions to "Dr Danny" by emailing the following address p.etienne@lexpress.mu
The British Council is currently registering students for new courses, from 11:00 to 17:00, today and tomorrow and 09:00 to 14:30 on Saturday.
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