Why does 'go bananas' in English mean go crazy?

It's not always easy understanding why native English speakers say some things that mean entirely different things. This time, we try to help three very shy readers with their English troubles.

I've learned so many interesting English phrase in Englishtown. And I want to know why 'go bananas' is similar to go crazy? I can't find any relation between bananas and craziness! - Anonymous

This is a great question and there isn't a definitive answer. It's an idiom and it can mean go crazy, get very angry or become very emotional. Several suggestions have been made as to how the expression came about – a favourite one is how monkeys get super excited when they see or are given bananas.

I do not know the difference between surprised and surprising. I don't know what to do. Could you tell me? Thanks a lot. - Anonymous

We use adjectives ending in '/-ing/' to describe the thing or person that makes us feel a particular way and we use the '/-ed/' ending to describe how we feel. For instance, 'His marriage proposal was surprising' or 'I was surprised when he asked me to marry him!' Please what is the meaning of this proverb 'It takes two to lie, one to lie and one to listen'? - The Emperor 

Unfortunately there isn't a definitive answer for this as well. The best explanation/guess is that, if someone tells a lie, but no one listens or believes it then the lie isn't successful and stops there. If someone listens to and believes the lie, then that gives more weight or substance to it and then more people may believe it if it is passed on.

Have you got a burning question about English? Send them to qa@englishtown.com . Please understand that we receive a very large number of questions, and cannot answer every single one.

Funny Games to improve english

Serch for a long time^^

Have you ever bored? Put away your boring textbooks and forget about memorizing long lists of vocabulary. It's time to add some excitement into learning English! To spice up your studying and have a few laughs, check out our list of fun English games.

Two truths and a lie

Begin this game by thinking of two somewhat unusual facts about yourself that the other players don't know. Then, make up a lie about yourself.

Players take turns telling the true and false statements. They ask each other questions to try to determine which one is a lie. The more unique your truths are, the more fun and challenging the game is!

I have never...

Form a circle of chairs enough for all but one person. That person will stand in the middle, and speak a true sentence beginning with "I have never..." For example, "I have never been to the US." or "I have never colored my hair". Then, everyone who has been to the US should get up and change seats. Move quickly, or else you'll be the one left standing in the middle!

In the manner of the word

Send one person out of the room and pick a fun adverb, such as gracefully or sleepily. When the person reenters the room, he or she has to guess the adverb by asking someone to perform an action "in the manner of the word," for example, "Please dance in the manner of the word." If the adverb is gracefully, then a participant should perform a graceful dance. The person can continue to ask for performances until able to guess the adverb.

I'm going on a picnic...

On this picnic, you'll be bringing a wide range of items from A to Z. The first player will begin by saying, "I'm going on a picnic, and I'm bringing apples," or anything that starts with an 'a'. The second player will continue, "I'm going on a picnic, and I'm bringing apples and bananas." Continue taking turns until you have reached the end of the alphabet.

20 Questions

Start by secretly thinking of a person, an object, an animal, etc. The other players should ask up to 20 yes/no questions to gather information about it. Remember to only answer with the words 'yes' or 'no'. If the players can guess correctly before reaching 20, they win. If not, you win!

By Heather Daigle

10 secrets of success English speakers

10 Secrets of Success English speakers

Do you get tongue-tied when you try to talk in English? Want to know how to get more speaking confidence? Even the best English speakers had to start somewhere, so read on to learn the secrets of their success.

Putting the pieces together

To speak English well, a number of different elements need to work together: knowing (and choosing) suitable vocabulary, using the right grammar and sentence patterns, and producing the correct sounds, stress patterns, rhythm and intonation. You have to work on these individual elements if you want to see improvements.

Two-way process

Speaking is about interacting with another person, and involves listening as well as talking. Check that the other person is following, by using conversation strategies like emphasizing key words, rephrasing, or using expressions like You know what I mean? or Don't you agree?

It's not just what you say...

Non-verbal communication is very important for effective speaking, even for native English speakers. Use gestures, body language and facial expressions for explanation or emphasis, and try to read what the other person's body language is saying.

Sing a song!

Music is a great way to improve your speaking skills, practice the rhythm of the language and learn some useful expressions. Look up the lyrics (song words) to your favorite songs on the Internet, and then practicing singing aloud.

Take a chance!

You need the right attitude to improve your English. Look for every opportunity to practice speaking, like talking to people at parties, approaching a foreigner who looks lost, or just putting up your hand when your teacher asks a question.

Think in English every day.

This is a great way to improve your spoken English, and you can do it anywhere, anytime. At home, you can talk to yourself while doing everyday tasks like preparing a meal. If you are on the train or bus, then describe the people around you (in your head, not aloud!), and when you go to sleep, go over the day's events in English.

Listen to the sound of your own voice.

Even though you might not like hearing your own voice, this is a very useful way to find out what's wrong with your spoken English. Record yourself speaking and then listen to the tape, or ask a native speaker for some advice.

Keep a talking journal.

Record your thoughts in English before you go to sleep at night. You can play the tape at the end of the year to look back on important events, as well as monitor your English progress.

Take extra classes.

If you feel you need extra practice and want to interact with other English learners, why not join a language class? There are plenty of language schools around, or even online courses. Don't think you can learn to speak on the Internet? In Englishtown's teacher-led classes, all you need is a headset and microphone to talk to the world!

Find English-speaking friends.

If you are really serious about becoming a good English speaker, you need to meet people you can speak to in English. This does NOT only mean native-speakers, though. English is spoken by many more people as a second language than as a native language, and being able to understand different accents is very important.