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[Understanding Smoking-Related Vocabulary through Storytelling]-[Episode 83 - Smoke]

English Vocabulary Booster · B1 · 2021-01-20

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📋 Summary

Vocabulary Breakdown: Smoking and Habits

In this episode of English Vocabulary Booster, host Lara explores the nuances of smoking-related terminology through a relatable narrative featuring two teenagers caught in the act. By analyzing the dialogue, we can learn five essential English expressions commonly used in daily conversation.

1. Ashtray: The Vessel for Waste

An ashtray is defined as a container, often shaped like a little plate, designed to hold the residue of a cigarette. Lara explains that it serves two primary purposes: collecting the ash (the gray powder produced by burning tobacco) and holding the remains of the cigarette once the user is finished. The host humorously reflects on her own home environment, noting that because she and her partner do not smoke, they lack these items, leading her to wonder where her smoking guests dispose of their waste.

2. Cigarette Butt: The Remnant

A cigarette butt refers to the small portion of a cigarette—typically about an inch in length—that remains after the rest has been consumed. Lara expresses strong disapproval of people who throw their cigarette butts on the ground, highlighting the environmental impact and the "disgusting" nature of the habit. She admits to feeling a lack of courage to confront strangers who litter, but encourages listeners to speak up when they witness such behavior.

3. Chain Smoker: The Frequent User

Lara defines a chain smoker as someone who smokes a significant amount, often constantly. She shares a personal anecdote about her grandmother, describing her as someone who seemingly always had a cigarette in her hand. This term is used to describe individuals whose nicotine dependency leads to continuous, back-to-back smoking.

4. Puff: The Unit of Consumption

A puff describes the act of inhaling a small amount of smoke into the mouth. According to research cited by Lara, it typically takes between 8 and 12 puffs to finish a single cigarette. The host uses this term to illustrate the initial temptation faced by the characters in the story, emphasizing that even a single puff is a significant step in the smoking experience.

5. Put Out: Ending the Act

To put out a cigarette is the process of extinguishing it to stop the burning. Lara identifies several methods for this, such as pressing the cigarette against a surface like an ashtray, stepping on it, or submerging it in water. She notes that while stepping on a cigarette is common, it often leads to the littering of cigarette butts if the person fails to pick them up afterward.


By integrating these terms into a narrative context, this episode provides a clear and practical way for learners to expand their vocabulary. Understanding these expressions not only helps in comprehending everyday conversations but also allows for more precise communication regarding habits and environmental etiquette.

🎯Key Sentences

1
I've got something better in mind.
2
Are you kidding me?
3
They would kill me.
4
You should try it.
5
Nah, I don't think...
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📝Key Phrases

1
stressed out
2
freaked out
3
get it fixed
4
something in mind
5
Are you kidding me?
Expand All

📖 Transcript

Welcome to a new episode of English Vocabulary Booster.
My name is Lara and I'm a SALSA-certified English teacher.
Learning new vocabulary usually takes a long time, but we'll do it in a way that's easy, quick and efficient.
In every episode, we'll learn how to use five new English words or expressions, so that you too can start speaking like a native.
So let's get learning guys, what is new.
I will be going back to Valencia in one week.

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