Bootleg

Bootleg; used as an adjective, noun or verb

Context #1:

Maria: Do you want to watch the new Star Wars movie?

Henry: Yeah, but it's not out yet. Christmas seems so far away

Maria: I have a bootleg copy.

Henry: How did you get that?

Maria: I downloaded it. Come over tonight and we'll watch.

Henry: I don't know; I'd feel guilty.

Maria: It's up to you, but I'm going to watch it.

Meaning: The word "bootleg" means that something was obtained and/or sold illegally. In the above example, Maria downloaded a movie that hasn't opened in theaters yet. Since she didn't pay for the movie, it's a "bootleg"."Bootleg" can be used as an adjective, as in the conversation above, and as a noun, as in the previous sentence. It can also be used as a verb, as in the following example, which explains the word's past:

The word "bootleg" was first used in the late 19th century, and it's believed it originated with cowboys who hid small guns in their boots. Whatever the origin, the word "bootleg" was associated with secrecy. In the 1920s and early 30s, Prohibition was passed, making all alcohol illegal to sell or produce in the United States. Of course, some people started illegally selling, or bootlegging, alcohol that was either purchased in another country (often Canada) or made illegally. Since then, the term has been used for any illegal production and distribution, especially those of inferior quality when compared to the original item. A person can bootleg music (especially concerts recorded without permission), movies (often cheap DVDs, sometimes handheld recordings from inside movie theaters), software, toys, games and of course, homemade alcohol.

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The late __ (person's name or social position)

Context #1:

​I was married to my husband for 37 years. I miss him so much. He passed away 5 years ago. When it rains, I miss him even more...​My late husband used to enjoy his garden, especially after it rained. He was a good man.​

Context #2:

November has been a very sad month in America. Many bad things happened, but for me, the saddest thing was to find out that one of my favorite singer/song writers passed away. He died on November 10th. The late Leonard Cohen was great and ​wrote many of my favorite songs.

Meaning: dead. We use "the late" before a name or title to indicate that person is not alive. If the person is loved and respected, we often use "the late great" before the name or title.

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To slip (my, his, her) mind

Context #1:

Terrence dials a number on his cell phone. His friend, Will, answers.

Will: Hello?

Terrence: Will? Where are you?

Will: At home. What are you doing, Terrence?

Terrence: Waiting for you! We agreed to meet in Downtown, remember?

Will: I'm so sorry, Will. It totally slipped my mind. I'm on my way!

 

Context #2:

Linda and John arrive home to find dinner in the oven and ​it's ​burnt.

Linda: John, weren't you supposed to turn the oven off before we left?

John: I guess it slipped my mind.

Meaning: to forget. We use this idiom when we have a thought or intention and that thought or intention "slips away" before it becomes an action. 

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