English Time with Yves

 On March 23, 1839, Boston Morning Post editor Charles Gordon Greene was writing a satirical piece making fun of the Providence Journal. At the end of a throwaway paragraph, he stuck in an abbreviation: “o.k.” It stood for “oll korrect,” which was an intentionally misspelled version of “all correct.”  That joke became the most widely used expression in the English language.  And it got a second life thanks to politics. When Martin Van Buren ran for president in 1840, his supporters formed the “O.K. Club,” playing off his nickname “Old Kinderhook” after his New York hometown. Meanwhile, the opposing Whig Party weaponized OK, claiming Van Buren’s mentor Andrew Jackson had invented it to cover up his terrible spelling. Van Buren lost the election. OK won everything else. By the end of 1839, OK had already appeared in the Boston Evening Transcript, the New York Evening Tattler, and the Philadelphia Gazette. After the 1840 campaign circus, it spread into everyday American spee...

 Every year on the night of 23 June, people in Catalonia celebrate Sant Joan , one of the most important cultural festivals in the region. Streets, beaches, and public squares in Barcelona are full of fireworks, music, food, and large gatherings. The festival takes place near the summer solstice , the longest day of the year. It marks the start of summer and is often called the most magical night of the year. Sant Joan is connected to Saint John the Baptist , but its origins are older than Christianity. In ancient times, people believed fire was powerful. They used it to clean away bad energy, protect communities, and welcome new beginnings. One of the main traditions is the bonfire . People gather around big fires that symbolise light and hope. Some people write wishes on paper and throw them into the fire to leave problems behind. Fireworks are also very important and make the night exciting. Families and friends eat coca de Sant Joan , a traditional cake with fruit or nuts. ...

Every year on the night of 23 June, people across Catalonia celebrate Sant Joan, one of the region’s most important cultural occasions. The streets, beaches, and public squares of Barcelona fill with fireworks, music, food, and large social gatherings. Taking place close to the summer solstice , the celebration marks the arrival of summer and is widely regarded as the shortest and most magical night of the year. Although the event is associated with Saint John the Baptist, its roots are much older than Christianity. Historians believe many of its traditions originated from ancient European celebrations linked to nature and seasonal change. These early societies viewed fire as a powerful force capable of helping people purify themselves, protect their communities, and welcome periods of renewal . As Christianity spread throughout Europe, many of these older beliefs were absorbed into religious celebrations while retaining their original symbolism . One of the most recognizable features...