"honing their chops"? I started reading a blog's article when I met this expression in this sentence: "I found it strange that British and Irish musicians, particularly those honing their chops in the 1960s, seemed more taken with the form than Americans." What does "honing their chops" exactly mean? thanks

English words in Italian language As many others, Italian language during the centuries has been influenced (and still is ) by other languages. English, nowadays leads the queue I think, being the most influencial in many fields. Well, I could write an infinite list of words which have fully joined our daily life, but there are a lot of websites if you want to check that... The most interesting thing is that lots of words have completely changed their "foreign status", becoming really Italian indeed, as well as they have modified their structure, creating new terms in our lexicon. Most of them are mainly verbs present in IT and sport sectors. Any examples? "scannerizzare" (to scan, computer sense); "formattare, formattazione (noun) " (to format, a text or a hard disk for example); "stoppare" (to stop the ball in football or any other (ball) sport or to stop someone or something); "filmare" (to film, to shoot); "flirtare" (to flirt with someone); "snobbare" (to snob); "barista (noun) " (barman); "upgradare" (to upgrade, IT); "resettare" (to reset, IT); "linkare" (to link, IT). Given that they are english-based words , maybe it could be easier for italian learners to remember them, don't you think so?

English and Italian sayings I'd like to share with italian learners some interesting comparisons between English and Italian ways of saying and proverbs I have recently found. It's curious that both of them have the same sense but with different approaches indeed, anyway there are also many sayings that are literally almost the same in their own structures, i.e. this one very popular in Italy "A caval donato non si guarda in bocca" (Don't look a gift horse in the mouth) and others. Let's see these ones I most like (I won't translate the italian ones , it's up to you :) : - Il mattino ha l'oro in bocca --- The early bird catches the worm; - Non bagnarsi prima di piovere ---- Don't cross your bridges before you come to them; - È stata la goccia che ha fatto traboccare il vaso --- It was the last straw that broke the camel's back; - La notte porta consiglio --- The best advice is found on the pillow; - Meglio un uovo oggi che la gallina domani --- A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush; - Non sputare nel piatto in cui si mangia --- Don't bite the hand that feeds you (this is my favourite). funny, isn't it?

And now, for something completely different... I've heard about an imminent Monty Python's reunion... has anyone already seen the new show in London? I like their tv series very much, I have been watching them for the second time, actually. Love that kind of satire, the sort of "irreverence" they have towards everything, and great animations too. Watching the series I've noticed they have influenced a lot of contemporary comedians, italians too.. Hope to watch their films soon. Does anyone like this comedy group?

First notebook entry: Introducing myself Hello everybody, I would like to improve my English, hope to know many people around here...