One Person's Trash Is Another Person's Treasure
2024-08-11



And now, Words and Their Stories, from VOA Learning English.

People around the world share many things in common. But we are also different from each other. Not only do we look, think, and act differently, but we also like different things. Even identical twins may look the same but are very different individuals.

On today's program, we will look at a few expressions to describe how no person is exactly the same as another.

The first expression involves trash and treasure.

When we say one person's trash is another person's treasure, we mean that something that one person may consider worthless could be highly prized or valued by someone else.

Let's hear an example of how to use this expression:

A: I really don't understand the appeal of Jackson Pollock's paintings. To me, they look like a team of monkeys painted them!"

B: I love Pollock's paintings. I see something new every time I look at them.

A: Well, I guess it's true what they say, one person's trash is another person's treasure.

Now, rubbish and garbage mean the same as trash. But, in this expression, we use trash because the "tr" in trash and treasure makes the expression sound more natural. It just sounds better.

And, sometimes, we use the word "man" in place of "person" such as one man's trash is another man's treasure. Again it is just easier to say.

Another expression with a similar meaning is different strokes for different folks.

This also means that different things appeal to different people. But as a set expression, we do not say "different strokes for different people." That just doesn't sound right.

Different strokes for different folks can also mean that people live in different ways and value different things.

For example, a perfect evening for my friend is to go out and dance all night long. For me, a perfect evening is to stay at home with a book and a cup of tea. Neither is a better way to spend the evening. So, we should not judge. Or in other words, different strokes for different folks.

When we want to say that we are all different and we like different things without judgment, we can also use the following expressions:

It takes all kinds to make the world go round.

It takes all kinds.

To each his (her) own.

Whatever floats your boat.

They all mean ... whatever makes you happy!

And all of these expressions have the same general meaning: We are all different and unique.

And that's the end of this Words and Their Stories. Until next time, I'm Anna Matteo.

Anna Matteo wrote this lesson for VOA Learning English.

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Words in This Story

identical twin - n. either member of a pair of twins that are produced from a single egg and who look exactly alike

unique - adj. being the only one of its kind

We want to hear from you. Do you have similar expressions in your language? In the Comments section, you can also practice using any of the expressions from the story. Our comment policy is here. Or send us an email at LearningEnglish@voanews.com.