A boy is about to go on his first date, and is nervous about what to talk about. He asks his father for advice.
The father replies, "My son, there are three subjects that always work. These are food, family, and philosophy."
The boy picks up his date and they go to a soda fountain. Ice cream sodas in front of them, they stare at each other for a long time, as the boy"s nervousness builds.
He remembers his father"s advice, and chooses the first topic.
He asks the girl, "Do you like spinach?"
She says "No," and the silence returns.
After a few more uncomfortable minutes, the boy thinks of his father"s suggestion and turns to the second item on the list. He asks, "Do you have a brother?" Again, the girl says "No" and there is silence once again.
The boy then plays his last card. He thinks of his father"s advice and asks the girl the following question: "If you had a brother, would he like spinach?"
- (foll. By upon) (of an action) have an adverse effect upon (the doer). —n. Act of rebounding; recoil, reaction. on the rebound while still recovering from an emotional shock, esp. Rejection by a lover. [french rebonder: related to *bound1]
v. (past and past part. Rebuilt) build again or differently.
—n. - receiving or being received.
- written acknowledgement of payment received.
- (usu. In pl.) Amount of money etc. Received.
- archaic recipe. —v. Place a written or printed receipt on (a bill). in receipt of having received. [anglo-french receite: related to *receive]
v. (-ving) 1 take or accept (a thing offered, sent, or given).
- acquire; be provided with.
- have conferred or inflicted on one.
- react to (news, a play, etc.) In a particular way.
- a stand the force or weight of. B bear up against; encounter with opposition.
- consent to hear (a confession or oath) or consider (a petition).
- (also absol.) Accept (stolen goods knowingly).
- admit; consent or prove able to hold; provide accommodation for.
- (of a receptacle) be able to hold. 10 greet or welcome, esp. In a specified manner. 11 entertain as a guest etc. 12 admit to membership. 13 convert (broadcast signals) into sound or pictures. 14 (often as received adj.) Give credit to; accept as authoritative or true. be at (or on) the receiving end colloq. Bear the brunt of something unpleasant. [latin recipio -cept- get back again]
—v. Check again. —n. Further check or inspection.
n. - reciting or being recited.
- concert of classical music given by a soloist or small group.
- (foll. By of) detailed account of (connected things or facts); narrative.
v. - seek the return of (one's property, rights, etc.).
- bring (land) under cultivation, esp. From being under water.
- win back or away from vice, error, or a waste condition. reclaimable adj. Reclamation n. [latin reclamare cry out against]
v. (-ning) assume or be in a horizontal or relaxed leaning position. [latin reclino]
n. Person given to or living in seclusion or isolation; hermit. reclusive adj. [latin recludo -clus- shut away]
v. - narrate.
- tell in detail. [anglo-french reconter: related to *re-, *count1]
- —v. Count again. —n. Re-counting, esp. Of votes in an election.