Episode 42 Vocabulary from Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone

This Sunday (31st July) is Harry Potter's birthday. In honour of that day we're going to study the first few pages of Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, the very first Harry Potter book. Today we will review some vocabulary, tomorrow and Thursday some phrases and on Friday I'll be doing another bonus reading.  Only one word from all of this vocabulary is magical and many of these words and phrases are commonly used by native speakers. Hopefully by studying the vocabulary ahead of time you'll be able to just sit back and enjoy the reading on Friday. In case you'd like to avoid it, I have my soapbox moment about my feelings about JK Rowling and the Trans question at 9:40min. Vocabulary Beefy - a big person, often muscly Craning - when we stretch our neck to see something we 'crane our neck'. Shuddered - when our whole body shakes, usually involuntarily. 'somebody walked over my grave' - a common phrase used by British people to explain why we randomly shudder with no explanation. Flutter - flapping, often used to describe butterflies but can be used to describe birds too. 'He makes my heart flutter' - which is a common way of describing the way our heart beats when we have a crush 'They make my heart go pitter patter' - same as above, a way of describing our heartbeat Pecked - 'he gave her a peck on the cheek' is a common way to say a kiss on the cheek. Chickens also peck at the ground, so this doesn't sound comfortable to me! Little Tyke - a common way to talk about small children, often used in an endearing way to talk about troublesome children (or pets!) but can also be used in anger. Huddle - a group standing closely together Seized - to grab quickly or forcefully Rejoice - often religious, to celebrate and be grateful and happy about something. Muggle - our only magic-related word this week, a Harry Potter World word that describes anyone who isn't from the magical world Rattled - if you feel rattled then you feel surprised, shaken and unsafe Additional Vocabulary Pedestal - we use this to talk about someone or something that we have very high expectations of 'we put her on a pedestal' - in our minds she was more important and better than everyone else Escapism - the experience of relaxing and escaping the real world by doing something else, often used to describe hobbies such as playing video games, reading and watching TV or movies. Revere - to worship or hold in very high regard Soapbox - idiom - if someone is 'on a soapbox' or 'getting off their soapbox now' it means they have been telling everyone something they thought was very important but other people might see as inappropriate or preaching. It comes from the days when preachers or public speakers would stand on a small box in a town and speak to a crowd.