11. Lesson Are we a Nation of Wusses?

wuss

a person who is weak or not effective, sb. who you think is weak or lacks courage

cardie/cardy

Inf. for cardigan

run up

to make (a bill, debt, etc.) increase is to ____ it ____.

extortionate

(of prices) too high, extreme

extortion

. Pol. zdzierstwo

sturdy

. an object that is strong, well-made and not easily broken is _____.

underpinnings

any supporting structure or system, Pol. podstawy, fundamenty

truss

Pol. związać, obwiązać, wcisnąć (kogoś) (w ciasne ubranie).

layer

Pol. warstwa np. ubrań

wear several layers of clothing

Pol. ubierać się na cebulę

slap

". to suddenly announce a new charge, tax, etc. or say that sth is not allowed. Toadd to the price of sth. To cause (esp. something unpleasant) to happen. Example: The government has _____ -ped more tax on cigarettes, Pol. doliczyć"

cast

to throw or expel with violence or force, Pol. rzucać

cast your mind back

When you _____, you try to remember sth.

semi

a short for a semi-detached house.

semi-detached house

"A _____ (house) (UK and ANZ informal semi) is one of a pair of houses whichare joined together"

insist

"to state or demand forcefully, esp. despite opposition, Pol. twierdzić, obstawaćprzy (czymś)"

multifaceted

having many different parts, Pol. wielopłaszczyznowy

steady

happening in a smooth, gradual and regular way, not suddenly or unexpectedly

edict

an official order, esp. one which is given in a forceful and unfair way

quaint

unusual, strange, old-fashioned.

wander round

Pol. wędrować

decree

"to make an official statement that sth must happen, Pol. zarządzić, nakazać, orzec."

dwelling

a place where people can live

fitted

if a place is equipped with sth it is ____ with it.

notion

(a) belief or idea, Pol. myśl, pogląd, pojęcie

acknowledge

to accept, admit or recognize (something, or the truth or existence of something), Pol. przyznać, uznać, potwierdzić.

glaze

to put a piece of glass into (a window)

insulate

to protect sb or sth from outside influences

hire purchase

____ (US Installment plan) is a system of paying for something in which the buyer pays part of the cost immediately and then makes small regular payments until the debt is reduced to nothing. Pol. zakup na raty

stigma

a deep feeling that other people do not respect you or have a good opinion of you

drive

force

gratification

If people get what they want immediately they expect instant _____.

shift

a change (of one's position)

scarcity

inadequate supply, rarity or infrequent occurrence

benchmark

a criterion by which to measure something, standard, reference point.

backbone

strength, bravery or strength of character

agenda

the matters which are waiting to be discussed or achieved

privation

a lack of the basic things that are necessary for an acceptable standard of living, Pol. niedostatek, ubóstwo.

anathema

something which is greatly disliked or disapproved of, a strong curse.

go without

to not have (something) or to manage to live despite not having (something), Pol. obywać się bez (czegoś)

veneer

A ______ is also something which hides something unpleasant or unwanted

close to home

If sth is _____ it is referring to sth about which sb is very sensitive

anticipate

to imagine or expect that (something) will happen, sometimes taking action in preparation for it happening

dread

to feel extremely anxious or unhappy about (something that is going to happen or might happen)

flick

quick movement, Pol. pstryknąć, włączyć/wyłączyć

congregate

(of people and animals) to gather together in a large group

scatter

Pol. rozpraszać, rozrzucać, rozsiewać

sew into one's vest

Pol. 'zaszyć się w kamizelkę'

chill

a sensation of coldness resulting from a cold or damp environment, or from a sudden emotional reaction.

ambivalent

a sensation of coldness resulting from a cold or damp environment, or from a sudden emotional reaction.

spell

a period of a particular kind of activity, weather, illness etc, usually a short one

hearth

the area around a fireplace or the area of floor in front of it, Pol. palenisko

stuffy

(of a room or building) unpleasant because of a lack of fresh air

miasma

pollution in the atmosphere, esp. noxious vapours from decomposing organic matter.

decadence

a state of low standards in social and moral behaviour

stable

a building in which horses are kept, Pol. stajnia

sop

something not very important or valuable that a government or someone in authority offers to people to stop them from complaining or protesting, Pol. symboliczny gest, ochłap

content

willing to do or accept something, rather than doing more