Why Did Bill Clinton Lie? Master Troubleshooting in English

Boost your fluency with this episode! Learn troubleshooting phrasal verbs, the Bill Clinton.

Why Glitch English Matters

This program is an English-learning program that blends language instruction with pop culture, history, and trivia.

Glitch English: Fast Recap

This program is an English-learning program that blends language instruction with pop culture, history, and trivia.

The program begins by addressing technical “glitches” and explaining the process of troubleshooting. This involves trying to find the root of a problem by eliminating options like unplugging and restarting devices.

The core learning focuses on practical vocabulary and idiomatic expressions used in everyday situations, such as shopping for electronics, discussing sports, or understanding historical sound bites.

What to Practise

• First, use the phrasal verb ‘unplug’ instead of ‘plug out’ when disconnecting electronics.
• Next, locate items in a store using ‘top shelf’ and ‘bottom shelf’.
• Also, remember that many nouns ending in ‘f’ have irregular plurals ending in ‘ves’, such as shelf/shelves and knife/knives.
• However, use sports idioms like ‘touch base’ (to contact someone) and ‘the ball is in your court’ (it is your turn to decide).
• Therefore, tell a shop assistant ‘I’m just browsing’ if you want to look around without being bothered for help.

Glitch English: Episode Roadmap

Technical Problems and Phrasal Verbs

This part focuses on troubleshoot (solve problems) and connects it with unplug vs plug out. Use it as a listening checkpoint: pause here, repeat the useful expressions, and check that you can explain the idea without translating word for word.

Famous Speech Clips and Cultural Context

This part focuses on Bill Clinton scandal and connects it with thick accents. Use it as a listening checkpoint: pause here, repeat the useful expressions, and check that you can explain the idea without translating word for word.

Essential English for Electronics Stores

This part focuses on top shelf (upper shelf) and connects it with wireless headphones. Use it as a listening checkpoint: pause here, repeat the useful expressions, and check that you can explain the idea without translating word for word.

Odd Records and Food Phrases

This part focuses on baker’s dozen (thirteen) and connects it with unusual world records. Use it as a listening checkpoint: pause here, repeat the useful expressions, and check that you can explain the idea without translating word for word.

Key Ideas to Remember

• First, use ‘unplug’ instead of ‘plug out’ when disconnecting electronics.
• Next, locate items using ‘top shelf’ and ‘bottom shelf’.
• Also, remember irregular plurals: nouns ending in ‘f’ often become ‘ves’ (e.g. shelf/shelves).
• However, use sports idioms: ‘touch base’ (contact) and ‘the ball is in your court’ (your turn).
• Therefore, say ‘I’m just browsing’ if you want to look around without being questioned.

Glitch English: Vocabulary

English	Español	Note / Uso
glitch	technical problem	Describes an electrical or technical issue.
thick accents	strong regional accents	Used for accents that are difficult to understand, such as deep Southern American accents.
shelves	estantes	Shows the irregular plural rule (shelf to shelves).
the runs	diarrhea	Informal term for diarrhea, often related to travel.
something is brewing	something is happening soon	Used like weather (a storm brewing) to mean a situation is developing.
baker’s dozen	thirteen (13)	An old way of saying thirteen, referring to an extra item given by bakers.
one night stand	un roce / rollo de una noche	Explained in the context of the movie ‘Fools Rush In’. the lesson uses the slang ‘unroce’.
commitment	compromiso	Correct translation for an obligation or promise, distinguishing it from ‘compromise’.
compromise	llegar a un acuerdo / transigir	This episode emphasizes this is NOT ‘compromiso’, but rather negotiating an agreement.
however	sin embargo	Appears as ’embargo’ in the lesson, likely a phonetic abbreviation or transcription error.
troubleshoot	solve problems	To find the main cause of a technical issue by checking and fixing parts (e.g. unplugging/restarting).
unplug	desenchufar	The correct opposite of ‘plug in’; do not use ‘plug out’.
par for the course	normal / expected	Used when something difficult or negative is typical or expected.
sum it up	summarize	To briefly describe the main points of a discussion or situation.
thick accents	acentos cerrados	Describes strong regional accents that are difficult for listeners to understand.
top shelf / bottom shelf	estante superior / estante inferior	Used to describe the location of items in a retail store.
the runs	diarrea	An informal and common way to refer to diarrhea, often mentioned in the context of food poisoning while traveling.
something is brewing	algo se está elaborando / se avecina	Used to indicate that something (like a storm or a situation) is about to happen.

Practice Ideas

Concept	Explanation	Why it matters
Troubleshooting	The systematic process of finding the cause of a technical fault by eliminating possibilities, such as unplugging or restarting.	It teaches the user to handle basic tech issues before calling a professional.
Baker’s Dozen	An old expression for the number thirteen.	It is a unique cultural idiom showing a historical custom (bakers adding an extra roll).
Commitment vs. Compromise	A ‘commitment’ is an obligation or promise. To ‘compromise’ means reaching an agreement after negotiation.	It helps learners distinguish between being obliged to do something and agreeing to something.
On the Fritz	An informal phrase describing equipment or a connection that is broken or not working.	It is a common, conversational way to describe technical failure.
I’m just browsing	A phrase used in a store to signal that you are only looking and do not need immediate assistance.	It helps learners navigate social interactions in a retail setting.
Irregular Plurals (f to -ves)	A grammatical rule where many nouns ending in ‘f’ change to ‘-ves’ in their plural form, such as shelf/shelves, knife/knives, and half/halves.	Mastering these irregular forms is critical for grammatical accuracy when discussing quantities in retail or domestic settings.
Browsing	Looking around a store or through items without a specific intent to buy or immediate need for assistance.	The phrase ‘I’m just browsing’ is a polite and useful way for shoppers to tell a clerk to leave them alone.
Plug in vs. Unplug	While ‘plug in’ is used to connect an electronic device, the correct opposite is ‘unplug’ rather than ‘plug out’.	It highlights that phrasal verbs do not always follow a logical ‘in/out’ pattern, helping students avoid common non-native mistakes.

Examples From the Episode

Source / Moment	Why it helps	Review cue
Bill Clinton denial sound bite	Listening practice for ‘thick’ Southern US accents and phrases like ‘not a single time’.	Use this as context while reviewing the video.
Fools Rush In (1997 film)	Explaining the difference between ‘commitment’ (promise) and ‘compromise’ (agreement).	Use this as context while reviewing the video.
Tech Support Dialogue	Practicing troubleshooting verbs like ‘unplug’ and ‘restart’.	Use this as context while reviewing the video.
Retail Scene	Using ‘top shelf,’ ‘bottom shelf,’ and ‘I’m just browsing’ in a shop setting.	Use this as context while reviewing the video.
Belka and Strelka (Soviet space dogs)	Thematic vocabulary for the Sputnik program and practicing spelling of specific proper nouns.	Use this as context while reviewing the video.
Baker’s Dozen	A native idiomatic expression for the number thirteen, originating from custom where bakers added an extra roll to a dozen.	Use this as context while reviewing the video.
Clerks (Kevin Smith film)	Teaching ‘clerk’ as a shorter, common alternative to ‘shop assistant’.	Use this as context while reviewing the video.
Sports dialogue (Damian and the episode)	Mini-dialogue covering idioms like ‘touch base’, ‘the ball is in your court’, and ‘kick off’.	Use this as context while reviewing the video.

Common Learner Traps

Watch out for	Why it matters	Better move
shelves	Shows the irregular plural rule (shelf to shelves).	Say it in a short sentence, then check whether the meaning changes if you translate it literally.
compromise	This episode emphasizes this is NOT ‘compromiso’, but rather negotiating an agreement.	Say it in a short sentence, then check whether the meaning changes if you translate it literally.
Commitment vs. Compromise	A ‘commitment’ is an obligation or promise. To ‘compromise’ means reaching an agreement after negotiation.	It helps learners distinguish between being obliged to do something and agreeing to something.
Plug in vs. Unplug	While ‘plug in’ is used to connect an electronic device, the correct opposite is ‘unplug’ rather than ‘plug out’.	It highlights that phrasal verbs do not always follow a logical ‘in/out’ pattern, helping students avoid common non-native mistakes.

Try It Yourself

Use these prompts after reading the article. They are designed for active recall: say the answer aloud first, then check the tables above.

1. Explain this in your own words: Use the phrasal verb ‘unplug’ instead of ‘plug out’ when disconnecting electronics.
2. Explain this in your own words: Locate items in a store using ‘top shelf’ and ‘bottom shelf’.
3. Explain this in your own words: Remember that many nouns ending in ‘f’ have irregular plurals ending in ‘ves’, such as shelf/shelves and knife/knives.
4. Make one original sentence with “Glitch” without starting from “Technical problem” in Spanish.
5. Make one original sentence with “Troubleshoot” without starting from “Solve problems / Localizar averías” in Spanish.
6. Make one original sentence with “Unplug” without starting from “Desenchufar” in Spanish.

Glitch English: Glossary

Term	Meaning / Spanish
Glitch	Technical problem
Troubleshoot	Solve problems / Localizar averías
Unplug	Desenchufar
Par for the course	Lo normal / Lo esperado
Sum it up	Resumir
Thick accents	Fuertes acentos
Shelf / Shelves	Estante / Estantes
Clerk / Shop assistant	Dependiente
The runs	Diarrea
Something is brewing	Algo se está gestando
Touch base	Contactar / Ponerse en contacto
The ball is in your court	Te toca a ti (decidir)

Questions Learners Ask

What is the correct English term for disconnecting an electronic device?

While the action of connecting a device is 'plug in,' the correct opposite is 'unplug'. This episode notes that 'plug out' is not used in English, even though it might seem logically consistent with 'plug in'.

What does the expression 'baker's dozen' mean?

A 'baker's dozen' is a native idiomatic way to refer to the number 13. It originates from the historical custom of bakers adding an extra roll to a set of 12 to ensure they were not under-serving their regular customers.

How do you distinguish between 'commitment' and 'compromise' in English?

These are often confused by Spanish speakers as 'false friends.' A 'commitment' is a promise or a firm obligation (Spanish: compromiso). Meanwhile, to 'compromise' means to reach an agreement through negotiation and mutual concessions.

What does it mean when a device is 'on the fritz'?

'On the fritz' is an informal idiomatic expression used to describe a piece of equipment, a machine, or an internet connection that is malfunctioning or broken.

Is it correct to say 'the space' or 'the NASA'?

No, it is a common mistake for students to use the definite article in these cases. You should simply say 'space' (e.g. 'I am fascinated by space') and refer to 'NASA experts' or 'experts from NASA' rather than using 'the'.

What is the plural of 'shelf' and 'knife'?

Many English nouns ending in 'f' have irregular plurals where the 'f' changes to 'ves.' Therefore, 'shelf' becomes 'shelves' and 'knife' becomes 'knives'.

Glitch English: Quick Quiz

Review Cards