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Education
The aroma of English
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"WHAT'S THAT smell? Have you started cooking again?" "It's the aroma of fresh... ." "... .aroma! That's a fancy word. What's the difference between `aroma' and `smell'?"
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"WHAT'S THAT smell? Have you started cooking again?"
"It's the aroma of fresh... ."
"... .aroma! That's a fancy word. What's the difference between `aroma' and `smell'?"
"Well, a `smell' can be pleasant or unpleasant. For example you can always complain about the smell of someone's dirty socks."
"And I can comment on the smell of your breath!"
"I guess you could. But `smell' need not always be associated with something bad. You can talk about the smell of freshly brewed coffee."
"Or the smell of rain!"
"Yes, that's right. `Aroma', on the other hand, is usually associated with something pleasant and stimulating."
"So one doesn't normally use the word to talk about someone's armpit?"
"Not unless you find the smell that comes from one's armpit very pleasant."
"I certainly don't. But I can talk about the aroma of early morning coffee, right?"
"Yes, you can. The word `aroma' is normally associated with food. For example, I can talk about the aroma of ... ."
"... .I think I understand. Tell me have you applied for that job in Devi and Company?"
"No, I decided against it."
"But why? Last week you kept saying that you needed a change and... ."
"... yeah, I know. But the problem is, one of the guys from Devi and Company has applied for the same position. I am told that he has the inside track."
"The inside track? What does it mean?"
"When someone has the inside track, he has an advantage over someone because... "
"... because he knows someone. He has connections... ."
"... yes, that's right."
"That's how many people in our country get jobs."
"You have a point there. Here's an example. My boss has the inside track, so the chances are our company will get the contract."
"How about this example? Ganesh's boss has a really good opinion of him. Since he's got the inside track, chances are he will be promoted to Assistant Manager."
"In our country you need to have the inside track to admit your child in a decent school."
"But that's not always possible."
"I know. Which is why some people add a little sweetener every now and then."
"A sweetener? What does that mean?"
"What do you have to do in order to get a file moved from one department to another?"
"That's easy. All you need to do is bribe someone."
"And that's exactly what a sweetener is. It is usually encouragement given to someone in order to do something."
"And this encouragement is usually in the form of money?"
"That's right."
"How about this example? According to my nephew Mahidhar, money is the best sweetener around."
"I am sure many people will agree with him. When the clerk refused to hand over the certificates, Ramesh decided to add a little sweetener."
"To get anything done in our country we need to add a little sweetener. Before you go on, tell me what is the origin of `have the inside track'. Where does it come from?"
"I understand it comes from the world of horse racing."
"Horse racing?"
"That's right! You know in horse racing, some horses run on the inside and some on the outside. I understand if you have the inside track in a race, you have the shortest distance to run."
"And since you have a shorter distance to travel you are at an advantage. It is easier to win when you run on the inside track."
"Exactly! You are into motor racing right?"
"Yes."
"Do you know what the inside track is called in motor racing?"
"I don't think there is an inside track."
"I am told there is. Apparently it's called `pole position'."
"Really? I will ask my friend Indra about this."
"Thanks!"
*** *** ***
"Why do they call it rush hour when nothing moves?" — Robin Williams
S. Upendran
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