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se introducen y explican)
Have you ever
listened to a private conversation? Maybe you were standing by a door or
in a hallway and you heard people talking about someone else you know.
And you could not help it. You paused … you perked up your ears … and
you listened.
You knew, of course, that these people were not speaking to you. They
did not invite you to be part of their conversation. You invited
yourself. You eavesdropped.
To eavesdrop means you secretly listen to the conversations of others.
Some types of people are very good at eavesdropping. Nosy people, people
who like to gossip and spies are all good eavesdroppers. The only
difference among my examples is that spies get paid and could get killed
for getting an earful.
Originally, however, the word “eavesdrop” had nothing to do with spying
or listening to private conversations.
When it was first used in the 1600s, “eavesdrop” was the water that fell,
or dropped, from the eaves of a house.
Eaves are the parts of the roof that hang over the walls and shade the
outside of a house. After more time passed, “eavesdrop” came to mean the
ground near the house where the water fell. After even more time passed,
“eavesdropper” described someone who stood near a house to secretly
listen to a conversation happening inside.
These days you can be standing anywhere to eavesdrop. The word simply
means "to listen secretly to something said in private."
English has another expression related to eavesdropping and the home:
the walls have ears. This means be careful what you say as there might
be people listening.
Some word experts say this expression may come from story about an
ancient Greek ruler (430–367 BC) who had an ear-shaped cave cut and
connected between the rooms of his palace. This allowed him to listen to
conversations in other rooms.
This form of eavesdropping became common practice with rulers from many
cultures. In English, the phrase "the walls have ears" was first
recorded in its present form in the mid-1600s.
Now, if you like (or hate) learning English phrasal verbs, there’s a
great one for eavesdropping – to listen in on. Usually our phrasal verbs
have only one preposition. Not this one. It has two!
When you listen in on something, you listen to people speaking without
joining in, usually secretly.
But not always.
You can listen in on a class at university or listen in on a meeting at
work. These examples do not suggest that you were listening secretly.
But if you are listening in on a private conversation, chances are you
are listening to something private that does not concern you. You are
not minding your own business.
Now, maybe you were minding your own business. Maybe you just happened
to have overheard a private conversation. Overhearing is more innocent
than eavesdropping. You can overhear something by being in the wrong
place at the right time.
Now, let’s listen in on two people talking to learn how to use these
words and expressions in a conversation. And it’s okay. We're not
eavesdropping. I've given you permission!
- So, Amy, I was listening in on the management meeting today. Our
manager said that he’s putting your project on hold. You’re thinking
about leaving the company, aren’t you?
- I haven’t told anyone that except Ann Marie. Did she spill the beans
to you?!
- No. She didn’t tell me anything. I just happened to overhear you two
talking in the cafeteria yesterday.
- Were you eavesdropping on our conversation, Alex?!
- No! I was walking behind your table and accidentally overheard what
you guys were talking about. Honest.
- Alex, it was a really long conversation. Unless you were purposefully
listening in on us I don’t see how it could have been an accident.
- Okay, I was standing behind your table. When I overheard you and Ann
Marie talking about your project my ears perked up. So, I stayed there
and listened for a little while … okay, for a long while.
- Alex, you’re such a snoop! Look, don’t tell anyone. I didn’t accept
the other job offer yet. So no one knows, okay?
- No one except Ann Marie … and me and …
- Urgh! Alex!
Glossary:
nosy – adj. wanting to know about other
people's lives, problems, etc. gossip – v. to talk about the personal lives of other people eave – n. the lower border of a roof that overhangs the wall —usually
used in plural snoop – v. to look for private information about someone or
something : – n. someone who looks for private information about someone
or something perk up your ears – idiomatic phrase : to listen more closely :
to lift (the ears) in a quick or alert way, often used figuratively of a
person "I perked up my ears =I began to listen closely] when I heard his
name mentioned". spill the beans – idiomatic phrase : to let secret information be
known : to give away a secret or surprise
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