English Language Discussion Forums


Go Back   UsingEnglish.com ESL Forum > Learning English > Ask a Teacher

Quick Links
Sites for Teachers



Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 03-Aug-2005, 02:06
english-learner's Avatar
Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2005
Posts: 106
Native Language: Chinese
english-learner is on a distinguished road
Question Help...... About " The West Wing" (3)

How do I understand the phrase " fringe group " in this context? Can you give me a few examples about how to use this phrase? Thanks a lot for your help!!!


BARTLET
Of course.

VAN DYKE
If our children can buy pornography on any street corner for five dollars, isn’t
that too high a price to pay for free speech?

BARTLET
No.

VAN DYKE
Really?

BARTLET
On the other hand, I do think that five dollars is too high a price to pay for
pornography.

C.J.
Why don’t we all sit down?

BARTLET
No. Let’s not, C.J. These people won’t be staying that long. May I have some coffee, Mr. Lewis? Al, how many times have I asked you to denounce the practices of a fringe group that calls itself The Lambs of God?

CALDWELL
Sir, it’s not up to me to...

BARTLET
Crap. It is up to you, Al. You, know, my wife, Abbey, she never wants me to do anything while I’m upset. [a staffer hands him coffee] Thank you, Mr. Lewis. 28 years ago, I come home from a very bad day at the State House. I tell Abbey I’m going out for a drive. I get in the station wagon, and put it in reverse, and pull out of the garage full speed. [Leo and Sam appear in the doorway and quietly enter into the room.] Except I forgot to open the garage door.
Reply With Quote
Sponsored Links
  #2  
Old 03-Aug-2005, 14:44
Editor, UsingEnglish.com
 
Join Date: Nov 2002
Country: UK
Posts: 27,475
Current Location: Tokyo
Native Language: English
Member Type: English Teacher
Tdol has disabled reputation
Default Re: Help...... About " The West Wing" (3)

A fringe group is one that relfects opinions only held by a small number of people. I presume the Lambs of God are Christians, but they probably have unorthodox ideas.
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 18-Dec-2006, 12:50
Member
 
Join Date: Nov 2005
Country: Taiwan
Posts: 109
Current Location: USA
Native Language: Taiwanese
Member Type: Student or Learner
MadHorse is on a distinguished road
Default Re: Help...... About " The West Wing" (3)

Quote:
Originally Posted by english-learner View Post
BARTLET
Crap. It is up to you, Al. You, know, my wife, Abbey, she never wants me to do anything while I’m upset. [a staffer hands him coffee]
Is there a difference between staff and staffer, when both are used to describe a member of a group of assistants?

Thanks.

Last edited by MadHorse; 18-Dec-2006 at 14:52.
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 18-Dec-2006, 13:58
MikeNewYork's Avatar
VIP Member
 
Join Date: Nov 2002
Country: USA
Posts: 6,089
Current Location: New York
Native Language: American English
Member Type: Academic
MikeNewYork is on a distinguished road
Default Re: Help...... About " The West Wing" (3)

Quote:
Originally Posted by MadHorse View Post
Is there a difference between staff and staffer, when both are to describe a member of a group of assistants?

Thank.
A "staff" is a number of individuals.
A "staffer" is an individual member of a staff.
Reply With Quote
Reply

Bookmarks

Tags
help, quot, west, wingquot

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may post new threads
You may post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
About " The West Wing" (2) english-learner Ask a Teacher 1 03-Aug-2005 14:43
About " The West Wing" (1) english-learner Ask a Teacher 1 03-Aug-2005 14:42
about The West Wing english-learner Ask a Teacher 6 03-Aug-2005 01:17


All times are GMT. The time now is 08:11.


vBulletin, Copyright ©2000 - 2010, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.
Search Engine Optimization by vBSEO 3.3.2
Copyright © 2002 - 2010 UsingEnglish.com