, the videoconferencing company, has netted about $1 billion on an investment it made in artificial intelligence startup Anthropic PBC in early 2023.The total value of ’s stake in the rapidly ascendant AI company is worth about $1.27 billion, according to a regulatory filing Friday
Bolivian riot police clashed with anti-government protesters in La Paz on Friday (May 22, 2026) for the second time in a week as unions and Indigenous groups pressed their calls for President Rodrigo Paz to step down. Demands for the business-friendly conservative to resign have persisted despite
A fire broke out at an oil depot in the southern Russian port of Novorossiysk following a Ukrainian drone attack, the city's mayor said on Saturday (May 23, 2026). "As a result of falling UAV (unmanned aerial vehicle) debris, a fire broke out at the oil depot
A newt dawn: Wknd talks to Whitley awardee Barkha Subba about her fight for salamandersThey walked among the dinosaurs. Now, they are in danger. There may be only 5,000 Himalayan salamanders left in the wild in India, Subba says. Published on: May 23
Indian woman praises China’s cleanliness, questions civic sense in India: ‘You won’t find a single wrapper’An Indian woman said China’s cleanliness proved civic sense mattered more than population. Published on: May 23, 2026 2:03 PM IST By Mahipal Singh Chouhan Share via Copy link An
Nita Ambani left in splits as student slips Mumbai Indians joke into DAIS graduation speechA Mumbai Indians joke cracked by the head boy of the DAIS' 2026 graduating class left the entire auditorium, including Nita Ambani, laughing. Published on: May 23
Kerala HM announces 'Operation Toofan' anti-narcotics campaignKerala HM announces 'Operation Toofan' anti-narcotics campaign Published on: May 23, 2026 2:24 PM IST PTI Share via Copy link Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala on Saturday announced a comprehensive statewide
Chopper crash near Leh: Injured major general poses, pilot flashes 'victory' sign in viral selfieAn Army Cheetah chopper crashed near Leh in eastern Ladakh last week. An image from the crash site is now viral. Updated on: May 23, 2026 2:36 PM IST By Rahul Singh Share via Copy link Three days after
Language in conversation
Language in conversation Premium
“Genie, can you take me to Wingtopia Zoo in a jiffy?”
“Brace yourself, little Moon. Teleport. Jet speed. Vroom. BOOM. Behold the zoo!”
“Poof! Genie, it's a pig enclosure!” Moon squealed, her laughter bubbling uncontrollably as she pointed at the pigs.
“Moon, are the pigs that funny?”
“Yes, Genie. Pigs always remind me of my old aunt. She's like a pig, so hilarious! And on top of that, she wears lipstick. She often stinks because she sweats profusely.”
Genie wagged his finger. “No, Moon! You must never talk about elders like that! It's so disrespectful.”
“Sorry, Genie.”
“Good girl. You're not ‘pigheaded', Moon.”
“Genie, I don't have a head like a pig.”
“No, Moon. ‘Pigheaded' means stubborn, obstinate and refusing to accept different opinions. Also, your lipstick comment reminds me of an English idiom: ‘lipstick on a pig'. It means that no matter how much you decorate something bad, it doesn't change its true nature. In other words, making cosmetic changes won't hide its true flaws.”
“You're right, Genie! No matter how much ‘lipstick you put on a pig', it remains a pig. My aunt puts on a lot of perfume, but she still sweats a lot!”
“Ah, Moon! Your aunt sweating so much makes me think of another pig idiom: ‘sweating like a pig'. It means sweating a lot, often from hard work, heat, or nervousness.”
“Genie, do pigs really sweat much?”
“No, Moon. It's just an old expression. And if your aunt had bought a good perfume, she wouldn't have stunk! But she probably purchased it like a ‘pig in a poke'!”
“A ‘pig in a poke'? What's that, Genie?”
“Ah, Moon! That's another English idiom. It means something bought or accepted without checking it first or assessing thoroughly, often leading to poor quality or an unpleasant surprise.”
“Genie, look! There are hundreds of pigs in the pigsty… look at the way they're eating!”
“Ah, Moon! Watching all those pigs eating reminds me of another pig idiom: pig out. It means to eat a lot, often greedily or in a messy way, just like these pigs! Example: Don't pig out on the pizza before lunch, Moon!”
Moon stared at the pigs rolling in the mud. “Genie, can animals fly like birds?”
“Ah, little Moon… some animals can fly, bats for instance. They are indeed mammals, but not all animals can fly. Definitely not pigs! That's why we say: ‘when pigs fly'. People use this idiom when something is impossible or extremely unlikely to happen. Example: Politicians will always keep their promises when pigs fly.”
“Wow, Genie! You have a natural talent for finding good English words.”
“Thank you, dear Moon. People say I can find the right words like ‘a pig hunting truffles'. Pigs are experts at sniffing out rare truffles hidden deep in the soil. Just like that, I sniff out perfect words!”
“Genie, whatever you teach me feels like a gem to me. I try to share it with my classmate the next day… but she just shrugs and brushes it off like a pebble.”
“Then you are ‘casting pearls before a swine', Moon. It means giving something valuable, be it knowledge or advice, to someone who doesn't appreciate it.”
“Haha… Genie, it's like I'm tossing my precious gems straight to a silly pig! Is that right, Genie?”
“Yes, Moon.”
“Genie, I know two pig words: piggybank and piggyback.”
Genie chuckled. “Very good, Moon! A piggybank is a small container, usually shaped like a pig, where you keep your money safe at home. And a piggyback means carrying someone on your back, just like giving them a ride!”
“Come on, Genie, let's catch a glimpse of other animals before the zoo closes!”
Published - November 13, 2025 08:30 am IST
Text and Context / language / Know Your English
Source: The Hindu
Related Posts: Numbers matter but the genie can't go back in the bottle This Recipe For One-Pot Rasam Rice Comes Together In A Jiffy 4,000 employees sacked in a jiffy at Jack Dorsey’s firm Block in AI era How you transform yourself after a failure Do You Find Yourself Struggling To Fall Asleep After Waking Up At Night The 8th House reveals the part of yourself you may not want to acknowledge How practising yoga can help you let go of stress and reconnect with yourself Why Talking To Yourself Kindly Actually Works Google yourself Set the bar low with ‘effortless exercise’ to ease yourself into a fitness routine
Kolkata Knight Riders and Delhi Capitals face off in a crucial IPL clash, with playoff hopes hanging by a thread. Both teams need a win, but their fate also depends on other results. KKR's strong recovery contrasts with DC's reliance on KL Rahul
1 days ago
Some of the most useful lessons I learnt as a young restaurateur came from New York restaurateur Danny Meyer’s book Setting the Table. He writes beautifully about the guest who comes in alone. Most diners come in with an agenda — to impress a date, close a deal
1 days ago
The Union government told the Supreme Court on Friday that 217 Indian nationals had joined the Russian military during the war in Ukraine, of whom 139 have been released from their contractual agreements, The Hindu reported. Additional Solicitor General Aishwarya Bhati told a bench headed by Chief
1 days ago
Hamza Burhan, a key operative linked to the Pakistan-backed terror outfit Al-Badr, who also worked as an Over Ground Worker (OGW) during the Pulwama terror attack period, was killed in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) on Thursday. Several wanted Pakistan-based terrorists
1 days ago
Nothing says summer quite like a chilled, fruity mocktail. As temperatures continue to rise, refreshing drinks packed with tropical flavours, citrusy notes, and vibrant ingredients are becoming the perfect way to cool down. Whether you are hosting a weekend brunch, planning a house party
1 days ago
Producer Vashu Bhagnani has lashed out at David Dhawan and his actor-son Varun Dhawan. On Friday, Vashu held a press conference in Mumbai and claimed that the storyline of Hai Jawani Toh Ishq Hona Hai is similar to Biwi No.1. Released in 1999
1 days ago
Hyderabad, May 23 (PTI) A lawyer died after being hit by a car outside his residence here in a suspected case of pre-planned murder, police said on Saturday. The 63-year-old victim was about to get into his car when the car hit him at his residence at Masab Tank here.Hyderabad
1 days ago
Raghav Chadha has been appointed the new chairman of the Committee on Petitions in the Rajya Sabha. The Rajya Sabha chairman reconstituted the committee and nominated ten members. This appointment takes effect from May 20, 2026. Dr. Menaka Guruswamy has also been nominated to the Joint Committee on
1 days ago
Formula 1’s silly season has arrived early, and we have Red Bull Racing boss Laurent Mekies to thank for it. The Frenchman doubled down on his explosive claim that Max Verstappen’s long-time race engineer, Gianpiero Lambiase, is heading to McLaren to eventually become team principal
1 days ago
The blue-collar town that’s set to decide Britain’s next Prime MinisterLabour left-winger Andy Burnham wants to replace Keir Starmer as prime minister. First, he must convince the Makerfield voters and fend off Reform UK. Published on: May 23
1 days ago
Human beings are not just shaped by their actions, but they are also creatures of circumstance. This is especially true in the sporting world, where athletes’ performance not only depends on their quality but also on who the rivals are, their prevailing standards of excellence and the setting in
1 days ago
Do you have greasy flakes on nose and scalp? Dermatologist explains what you are doing wrongSeborrheic dermatitis is a chronic skin condition that manifests in the form of greasy flakes on the nose and scalp. Dr Abigail Waldman shares what to do. Updated on: May 23
1 days ago
Investors just can’t get enough of stocks these daysWar, inflation and worries about the AI boom haven’t kept stocks from setting records. Published on: May 23, 2026 2:27 PM IST WSJ Share via Copy link Investors just can’t get enough of stocks these days
1 days ago
Fuel prices have surged for the third time in eight days. Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge criticizes the government, accusing it of "looting" citizens. He highlights international examples where countries provided relief. India's petrol and diesel prices have increased by nearly Rs 5 per litre
1 days ago
Ballia (UP), May 23 (PTI) A court here has sentenced a man to life imprisonment for murdering his wife and dumping her body in a pond in 2019 after the couple remained childless, police said on Saturday. According to the prosecution, Nepal Paswan
1 days ago
Delhi street vendor’s profound take on gender equality goes viral: ‘Spitting truth’The Delhi street vendor’s reaction to being asked, “Are women oppressed?” has won the internet’s hearts. Published on: May 23, 2026 9:18 AM IST By Trisha Sengupta Share via Copy link A local street
1 days ago
Editorial independence is core to our work. Some links may earn us a commission, without influencing our opinions.Sharara sets are the ultimate festive trend for Eid al-Adha: Choose from these picks under ₹3000From pastel embroidered sets to regal Banarasi shararas
1 days ago
‘Most earnings spent on buying water’: Outdoor workers bear brunt of Delhi heatIn Delhi’s 45 degrees Celsius heat, outdoor workers say there is little room to stop. Updated on: May 23, 2026 10:29 AM IST By Anita Goswami | Reported by Aaditya Khatwani Share via Copy link As Delhi sweltered
1 days ago
Tulsi Gabbard resigned as President Donald Trump’s director of national intelligence on Friday (May 22, 2026), saying she needed to step away as her husband battles cancer. She is the fourth Cabinet official to depart during Mr. Trump’s second term. In her resignation letter
1 days ago
A recently arrested man accused of links with Iran-backed terror networks allegedly plotted to assassinate US President Donald Trump’s daughter Ivanka Trump in an attempt to avenge the killing of Iranian military commander Qasem Soleimani in the recent US-Israeli strikes
1 days ago
Alone in her bedroom, six-year-old Emilia laughs at jokes told by kids on the other side of the world and listens to stories told by a lively adult voice.The tales and gags - many baffling to adult ears - are emitted by a , one of a growing class of sound-only gadgets for young children
1 days ago
Fat loss coach shares the cardio routine that helped her lose weight from 84 to 54 kg sustainablyWalking or HIIT? Here’s a cardio routine shared by a fitness coach you can follow to lose weight and get in shape. Published on: May 23, 2026 10:54 AM IST By Anukriti Srivastava Share via Copy link
1 days ago
IITian founders offer ₹50,000/month to candidate who asked for ₹35,000 salaryIn a video, the IITian founders explained why they decided to pay a higher salary than what the candidate asked for. Published on: May 23, 2026 10:59 AM IST By Trisha Sengupta Share via Copy link In a refreshing
1 days ago
said on Friday there were no imminent new US tariffs expected to be imposed on semiconductors, but that it was important to protect the sector with duties to facilitate reshoring of chip production.Greer, speaking at a memory chip plant expansion project in the Washington, D.C., suburbs
1 days ago
The United States on Friday (May 22, 2026) temporarily banned the entry of lawful permanent residents who have been in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Uganda or South Sudan in the previous 21 days, citing concerns over Ebola. U.S. citizens
1 days ago
Marco Rubio India Visit Live Updates: US Secretary of State Marco Rubio arrived in Kolkata on Saturday on his first official visit to India, ahead of high-level talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi later in the day. Confirming his arrival
1 days ago
Every Indian summer comes with its own set of rituals, rising temperatures, nostalgic family vacations, afternoon siestas, and of course, mangoes finding their way into almost every meal imaginable. But in recent years, mango season has evolved far beyond household indulgence
1 days ago
