Luke's ENGLISH Podcast - Learn British English with Luke Thompson Fine Distinctions & Subtle Shades of Meaning 📖 (with Eli Burnstein) [960]
Nov 3, 2025
In this conversation, Eli Burnstein, a writer and author of the Dictionary of Fine Distinctions, reveals the subtle intricacies of English vocabulary. He explains the difference between envy and jealousy, and the significance of accuracy versus precision. Eli delves into curious distinctions like poisonous versus venomous, as well as the nuances of Canadian English, including unique vocabulary and pronunciation traits. From the debate over JPEG vs GIF to the fun of emojis versus emoticons, this chat is a delightful exploration of language.
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Emoji, Emoticon And Kaomoji Differences
- Emojis are graphic images while emoticons use typed punctuation symbols.
- Kaomoji are elaborate Japanese emoticons that create scenes using characters.
Great Britain Versus The United Kingdom
- Great Britain is the large island (geographical), while the United Kingdom is the political state.
- The UK equals England, Scotland, Wales plus Northern Ireland politically.
Envy Vs. Jealousy Clarified
- Envy means wanting what someone else has; jealousy means not wanting others to have what you possess.
- People often use 'jealous' to mean 'envious', especially for lighter feelings.
