26/05_Linguistics and geometry?!

In today’s posts I would like to introduce some English idioms (although we can use many of them in Spanish) to explain and understand in more depth ideas about geometric figures. Here we find a list of ‘geometric idioms’ and some other mathematic expressions.

Teen love triangle in Twilight.

Geometric idioms

A u-turn > Un giro de 180º

It means a 180-degree turn, a radical turn, a complete turnaround, a complete turn in the opposite direction. It is quite visual because the form of the ‘u’ gives you the whole idea with just hearing, painting or writing it. 

Look at it from a [fresh, new] angle > Depende del ángulo por el que se mire

Maybe, inside a square you only have a 90º angle, but outside, you have what is left… which means that you have a 270º angle!

‘He is so square!’ > Una persona conservadora

A person old-fashioned or conservative. This sense of the word “square” originated with the American jazz community in the 1940s, in reference to people out of touch with musical trends (Wikipedia). 

Get things square > Poner las cosas en orden

  

A square is quite harmonious: it has four sides, which are equals. So do are their angles, which are 90º angles. Consequently, the diagonals are also equal. We can imagine why of the meaning of ‘get things square’. 

Fair and square > sin hacer trampa 

Honestly and according to the rules. In the 16th century 'square' meant 'fair and honest' so 'fair and square' are the repetition of the same concept.

A love triangle > triágulo amoroso

Although a triangle is quite a harmonic figure as well, you can not make two partners at the same time. It refers when to persons are in love with a same third one. A complicate issue indeed.  

Square > plaza

It also means square… but aren’t most plazas squared? Hmm…

Town square > plaza del pueblo

It also means plaza, but this time it refers to the main and large square in the centre of any town.

 

Main Square of Salamanca. Bird's-eye view.

Other interesting mathematic expressions

To (not) be up to (sth) > No dar la talla

Make ends meet (to balance the accounts) > Cuadrar las cuentas

Do the maths > Hacer los cálculos

A rule of thumb > Regla de oro.

The origin of the phrase remains unknown. It is likely that it refers to one of the numerous ways that thumbs have been used to estimate things (Phrases.org). Although there is another not-so-convenient-to-teach story, more far-fetched, which said to derive from the belief that English law allowed a man to beat his wife with a stick so long as it is was no thicker than his thumb… We can omit this part to our students.

What I find more interesting about all these expressions are that you can understand better the use of mathematic concepts, you are digging into the mathematic realm. Also, if you manage as a teacher to introduce these ideas in your mathematic class, it means that you will be also promoting the linguistic competence and at the same time make them think logically. 

A way to introduce these terms can be to present it without previous explanation and try to make them discover the meaning behind, given that they already manage the mathematic content related.

This is all for now, I will be updating this blog very soon, stay tuned!

  

References

Fair and square. In Phrases.org. Retrieved from https://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/fair-and-square.html

Rule of thumb. In Prhases.org. Retrieved from https://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/rule-of-thumb.html

Square. In Wikipedia. Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Square_(slang)#cite_note-OEDadj-1