Dessert

Some of these probably exist in Japan too, others probably don't.

If you're in the lab and want to try one of these, let me know and I'll gather ingredients and make it for you.

Brownie



Delicious and pretty common

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Fudge



Sort of like brownies, but softer and richer.

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Cookies



Well cookies they obviously have in Japan, but what about M&M cookies?!

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Cupcake



Cupcakes are in the same class as brownies (very standard dessert snack).

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Hershey's Kiss



Just a normal chocolate, but interesting shape and interesting name.

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Roasted Marshmallows



Popular when camping, set up a campfire and roast marshmallows to golden-brown deliciousness.

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Smore


Take a roasted marshmallow, put it in between two graham crackers and chocolate, and have a tasty treat. Substitute microwave for campfire if at home.

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Pumpkin Cake



Popular during Halloween (due to it's pumpkin-ness)

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Cherry Ice Cream



Popular during Summer when the cherries are especially fresh and delicious.

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Banana Split



Only item on this list I've never had. It's an old-fashioned dish, and you would probably see it in movies set in the 1960-70s (Grease, etc). Looks really rich...

The Politics of Guns

Supreme Court
最高裁判所

ban
禁止令

unconstitutional
憲法違反

right to bear arms
銃砲所持の権利

militia
民兵

right-wing (the right)
右翼 (右翼の奴ら)

NRA (National Rifle Association)
全米ライフル協会

gun control law
銃規制法

overturn
撤廃する

Example:
In a 5-4 decision, the American Supreme Court declared the handgun ban in Washington DC unconstitutional.
5対4の判定の上、アメリカの最高裁判所はワシントンの拳銃禁止令が憲法違反だとの判断を下ろした。

Comment:
The right to bear arms was written into the US Constitution over two hundred years ago to allow unofficial militia to protect the country in the absence of police. Now that we have police, we don't need guns, but the idiots on the right just don't give up. Of course, now the NRA is rushing to get every other gun control law in the country overturned...

Pennies

A penny for your thoughts?
君が何を考えてるの？

Comment:
There was one time someone here was just staring into space as if they were thinking about something. If I knew a good way to say this in Japanese, I would have said it - though I probably should have just said it in English anyways.

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A penny saved is a penny earned.
ちりも積もれば山となる。

Comment:
But what can that penny earned buy you?

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pretty penny
かなりな金額 (またかい)

Example:
That Porsche must have cost a pretty penny.
あのポルシェはかなり高かっただろう。

Comment:
It's not a beautiful penny, just an expensive penny...

Succeeding

Third time's the charm.
三度目の正直

Example:
I tried beating my old TOEIC score twice now but I still haven't been able to do it. This time I'll do it though - after all, third time's the charm!

昔のTOEICの点数を二回も越えようとしたけど、まだ出来てへん。でもこんどこそ越えてやるよ、三度目の正直やで。

Comment:
This is a pretty common phrase, though I'm not sure what its origin is. Logically speaking, there's no reason the third time should be particularly effective...

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If at first you don't succeed, try, try again.
最初は成功しなくても、何度も試してみなさい。←アルク日本語かな

Comment:
A saying that says that if you keep on working at something, you will achieve it eventually. A heartwarming saying, though you also should know your limits, and maybe...

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Quit while you're ahead.
有利なうちに、やめる。
痛い目を見る前にやめる。

Comment:
No point risking what you've got, or wasting time getting more than you need.

Introduction

I'll be writing short English lessons on this blog, focusing on English idioms and other such information you won't find easily in a class textbook.