"Fleur De Lys" Natural Recordings by Native Speakers
Fleur-de-lis is a French phrase that translates to "flower of the lily" or "lily flower". It is a stylized lily flower motif often used as a symbol or emblem, particularly in French heraldry, architecture, and art. The fleur-de-lis is also associated with the city of New Orleans and is featured prominently in its crest and flag.
"First things first" means addressing the most important or urgent matters before anything else. It emphasizes the priority of dealing with the most crucial tasks or issues at hand.
The First World War, also known as WWI or the Great War, was a global conflict that lasted from 1914 to 1918. It involved most of the world's great powers, assembled in two opposing alliances: the Allies (primarily consisting of France, Britain, Russia, Italy, Japan, and later the United States) and the Central Powers (led by Germany, Austria-Hungary, the Ottoman Empire, and Bulgaria). The war resulted from a web of alliances, imperial rivalries, and the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria. It led to the deaths of millions of people, the fall of empires, and significant changes in the political landscape, ultimately contributing to the rise of new world powers and the conditions for the Second World War.
The "Firth of Clyde" is a large estuary, or sea bay, located in southwestern Scotland. It is where the River Clyde meets the Irish Sea. The firth is an important waterway, known for its maritime history, commercial shipping, and naval activities. It also has several coastal towns and cities, including Glasgow, Greenock, and Clydebank.
The "Firth of Forth" is a large estuary, or tidal river mouth, located in Scotland. It is formed where the River Forth flows into the North Sea, and it stretches approximately 15 miles (24 kilometers) from the city of Edinburgh to the coast. The firth is known for its iconic bridges, including the Forth Road Bridge and the historic Forth Bridge, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
"Fish and chips" is a traditional British dish consisting of fried fish (usually cod, haddock or plaice) served with deep-fried potato chips. It is a popular fast food enjoyed in the United Kingdom and in many other countries around the world. The dish typically comes wrapped in paper and may be accompanied by condiments like salt, vinegar, and tartar sauce.
"Fish and chips" is a traditional British dish consisting of fried fish (usually cod, haddock or plaice) served with deep-fried potato chips. It is a popular fast food dish and often wrapped in paper for takeout.
"Fits and starts" refers to a series of irregular, intermittent actions or progress, often with pauses or interruptions. It describes a non-smooth and inconsistent pattern of movement or activity.
"Flesh and blood" refers to human beings, especially in terms of their physical nature or mortal existence. It can also convey a sense of family ties or close relationships.
Fleur de sel is a type of high-quality sea salt that forms naturally on the surface of salt pans or salt flats. It is known for its delicate, flaky texture and mild flavor, often used as a finishing salt to enhance the taste of dishes. The term "fleur de sel" translates from French as "flower of salt," referring to its light, floral-like qualities.
"Flotsam and jetsam" refers to objects or debris that are found floating in the water, typically after a shipwreck or accident. "Flotsam" is the debris that is passively carried by the water, while "jetsam" specifically refers to items deliberately thrown overboard by the crew of a vessel in an attempt to lighten the load or to avoid sinking. The term is often used metaphorically to describe discarded or lost items or people.
"Flute a bec" refers to a type of flute that has a narrow, cylindrical bore and a beaked mouthpiece, similar to a bird's beak. It is also known as a recorder or a fipple flute. The term "bec" comes from the French word for beak, which describes the shape of the mouthpiece.
"Folie à deux" is a French phrase that refers to a shared delusional disorder between two people, where they both believe in and experience the same delusions or false beliefs. It is also known as "shared psychosis" or "shared delusional disorder." The condition occurs when the delusion is transmitted from one person to another, often in close relationships, such as romantic partners, family members, or friends.
"Follow up on" means to take action or initiate contact after an initial communication or event in order to get more information, ensure progress, or continue a discussion. It is often used in a professional context to check on the status of a task, request, or conversation.
"Fons et origo" is a Latin phrase that means "source and origin." It refers to the starting point or the root from which something originates.
"Foot and Mouth" refers to a highly contagious viral disease that affects cloven-hoofed animals, such as cows, pigs, and sheep. It is not related to humans except that it can cause economic impact due to livestock losses. The phrase "foot and mouth disease" is often used to describe this specific animal illness.
"For a long time" refers to a duration of time that is extensive or considerable, typically spanning weeks, months, years, or even decades. It indicates that something has been happening or has remained unchanged over an extended period.