This Is 'The Best Thing Since Sliced Bread'!
2022-09-18
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1And now, Words and Their Stories, from VOA Learning English.
2On this program we explore words and expressions in the English language.
3We give definitions, notes on usage, and examples.
4Today we talk about innovation.
5Innovation is an improved way of doing something.
6Innovation can lead to change that makes for a better product or idea.
7Sometimes innovation involves a new, physical invention.
8Some innovations are revolutionary.
9Innovation brings us to the world of bread and today's expression: "the best thing since sliced bread."
10"The best thing since sliced bread" describes a new, excellent thing that makes a great improvement to something.
11For example, the new map and direction app on my smartphone is the best thing since sliced bread!
12Now, when driving I find my destinations easily and only get lost when my phone dies.
13But where does this expression come from?
14Well, for many years, bread has been a main part of meals for many people around the world.
15Most bread comes in a long form, called a loaf.
16A bread loaf travels well.
17You can buy a loaf of bread, stick in your bag, and make it home without the bread getting damaged.
18And on the way, you can break off a piece of bread for a little snack.
19But when making a sandwich, you need two slices of bread of the same thickness.
20If you had to cut them yourself, that may not happen.
21One may be thicker than the other -- one of life's little annoyances.
22Well, that changed in the late 1920s.
23An inventor in the United States brought an innovation to the world of bread.
24Otto Frederick Rohwedder invented the bread slicer.
25The machine cut the bread into individual slices of the same size.
26Soon after, he invented a machine that sliced the bread and then packaged it.
27Later, a small machine to toast the bread was invented.
28The slices fit neatly into the toaster.
29Toasters can be found in homes across the U.S. and other countries.
30Sliced bread became even more popular.
31People love bread and Rohwedder's creation revolutionized the bread industry.
32So, being described as the "best thing since sliced bread" is high praise, indeed.
33Here is another example.
34A: So, what do you think of the chief's new policy on paid leave?
35B: It's the best thing since sliced bread! I'm going to use the extra vacation time to visit friends in Paris.
36Please note: People also use the expression as an insult.
37Let's say you know someone who thinks very highly of herself.
38she thinks she can do no wrong.
39You don't agree. You could say, "She thinks she's the best thing since sliced bread."
40And that's the end of this Words and Their Stories.
41Until next time, I'm Anna Matteo.
1And now, Words and Their Stories, from VOA Learning English. 2On this program we explore words and expressions in the English language. We give definitions, notes on usage, and examples. 3Today we talk about innovation. Innovation is an improved way of doing something. Innovation can lead to change that makes for a better product or idea. Sometimes innovation involves a new, physical invention. 4Some innovations are revolutionary. 5Innovation brings us to the world of bread and today's expression: "the best thing since sliced bread." 6"The best thing since sliced bread" describes a new, excellent thing that makes a great improvement to something. For example, the new map and direction app on my smartphone is the best thing since sliced bread! Now, when driving I find my destinations easily and only get lost when my phone dies. 7But where does this expression come from? 8Well, for many years, bread has been a main part of meals for many people around the world. Most bread comes in a long form, called a loaf. A bread loaf travels well. You can buy a loaf of bread, stick in your bag, and make it home without the bread getting damaged. And on the way, you can break off a piece of bread for a little snack. 9But when making a sandwich, you need two slices of bread of the same thickness. If you had to cut them yourself, that may not happen. One may be thicker than the other -- one of life's little annoyances. 10Well, that changed in the late 1920s. An inventor in the United States brought an innovation to the world of bread. Otto Frederick Rohwedder invented the bread slicer. The machine cut the bread into individual slices of the same size. 11Soon after, he invented a machine that sliced the bread and then packaged it. Later, a small machine to toast the bread was invented. The slices fit neatly into the toaster. Toasters can be found in homes across the U.S. and other countries. 12Sliced bread became even more popular. People love bread and Rohwedder's creation revolutionized the bread industry. 13So, being described as the "best thing since sliced bread" is high praise, indeed. 14Here is another example. 15A: So, what do you think of the chief's new policy on paid leave? 16B: It's the best thing since sliced bread! I'm going to use the extra vacation time to visit friends in Paris. 17Please note: People also use the expression as an insult. 18Let's say you know someone who thinks very highly of herself. she thinks she can do no wrong. You don't agree. You could say, "She thinks she's the best thing since sliced bread." 19And that's the end of this Words and Their Stories. 20Until next time, I'm Anna Matteo. 21Anna Matteo wrote this story for VOA Learning English. 22____________________________________________________________ 23Words in This Story 24innovation -n. a new idea, method, or device 25slice -n. a thin flat piece cut from something: a slice of bread, a slice of cake -v. to cut with or as if with a knife 26destination -n. a place to which a person is going or something is sent 27loaf -n. a shaped or molded mass of bread 28snack -n. a light meal : food eaten between regular meals 29annoyance -n. a source of vexation or irritation 30toast -n. sliced bread browned on both sides by heat : -v. to make (food, such as bread) crisp, hot, and brown by heat 31packaged -adj. a covering wrapper or container 32____________________________________________________________ 33We want to hear from you. Do you have a similar expressions in your language? In the Comments section, you can also practice using any of the expressions from the story. 34We have a new comment system. Here is how it works: 35Write your comment in the box. 36Under the box, you can see four images for social media accounts. They are for Disqus, Facebook, Twitter and Google. 37Click on one image and a box appears. Enter the login for your social media account. Or you may create one on the Disqus system. It is the blue circle with "D" on it. It is free. 38Each time you return to comment on the Learning English site, you can use your account and see your comments and replies to them. Our comment policy is here.