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Plan 9 from Outer Space

Holy Mackerel

(Lesson 1)

Total words 125 Video duration 6:52



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task

any piece of work that is undertaken or attempted
A video clip called It was when the gravediggers started their task that strange things began to take place.

It was when the gravediggers started their task that strange things began to take place.
testimony

a solemn statement made under oath
A video clip called based only on the secret testimony...

based only on the secret testimony...
time

an instance or single occasion for some event
A video clip called And now, for the first time,

And now, for the first time,
trouble

a source of difficulty
A video clip called Are you in trouble?

Are you in trouble?
unexplainable

not to be accounted for or explained
A video clip called You are interested in the unknown, the mysterious, the unexplainable.

You are interested in the unknown, the mysterious, the unexplainable.
unknown

an unknown and unexplored region
A video clip called You are interested in the unknown, the mysterious, the unexplainable.

You are interested in the unknown, the mysterious, the unexplainable.
gravedigger

a person who earns a living by digging graves
A video clip called It was when the gravediggers started their task that strange things began to take place.

It was when the gravediggers started their task that strange things began to take place.
greeting

(usually plural) an acknowledgment or expression of good will (especially on meeting)
A video clip called Greetings, my friend.

Greetings, my friend.
grief

intense sorrow caused by loss of a loved one (especially by death)
A video clip called for the shadows of grief

for the shadows of grief
ground

the solid part of the earth's surface
A video clip called If I were asleep you'd never get on the ground.

If I were asleep you'd never get on the ground.
group

any number of entities (members) considered as a unit
A video clip called Just at sundown, a small group,

Just at sundown, a small group,
heart

the locus of feelings and intuitions
A video clip called Can your heart stand the shocking facts about grave robbers from outer space?

Can your heart stand the shocking facts about grave robbers from outer space?
incident

a single distinct event
A video clip called The incidents...

The incidents...
instructions

a manual usually accompanying a technical device and explaining how to install or operate it
A video clip called Good. We'll get them ready for landing. Keep it quiet until we get instructions. Right.

Good. We'll get them ready for landing. Keep it quiet until we get instructions. Right.
jolt

a sudden jarring impact
A video clip called But it was quite a jolt, Jeff. I'll check.

But it was quite a jolt, Jeff. I'll check.
landing

the act of coming down to the earth (or other surface)
A video clip called Good. We'll get them ready for landing. Keep it quiet until we get instructions. Right.

Good. We'll get them ready for landing. Keep it quiet until we get instructions. Right.
life

the course of existence of an individual; the actions and events that occur in living
A video clip called We are all interested in the future, for that is where you and I are going to spend the rest of our lives.

We are all interested in the future, for that is where you and I are going to spend the rest of our lives.
mackerel

flesh of very important usually small (to 18 in) fatty Atlantic fish
A video clip called Holy mackerel.

Holy mackerel.
sundown

the time in the evening at which the sun begins to fall below the horizon
A video clip called Just at sundown, a small group,

Just at sundown, a small group,
brother

a male with the same parents as someone else
A video clip called when death the proud brother,

when death the proud brother,
case

an occurrence of something
A video clip called In your case maybe I'll leave you up there for good. Over.

In your case maybe I'll leave you up there for good. Over.
day

time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
A video clip called we are bringing to you the full story of what happened on that fateful day.

we are bringing to you the full story of what happened on that fateful day.
death

the event of dying or departure from life
A video clip called yet death is always a shock...

yet death is always a shock...
earth

the 3rd planet from the sun; the planet we live on
A video clip called All of us on this earth...

All of us on this earth...
event

something that happens at a given place and time
A video clip called Future events such as these will affect you in the future.

Future events such as these will affect you in the future.
evidence

your basis for belief or disbelief; knowledge on which to base belief
A video clip called We are giving you all the evidence...

We are giving you all the evidence...
fact

a piece of information about circumstances that exist or events that have occurred
A video clip called Can your heart stand the shocking facts about grave robbers from outer space?

Can your heart stand the shocking facts about grave robbers from outer space?
fateful

having momentous consequences; of decisive importance
A video clip called we are bringing to you the full story of what happened on that fateful day.

we are bringing to you the full story of what happened on that fateful day.
funeral

a ceremony at which a dead person is buried or cremated
A video clip called The funeral over...

The funeral over...
future

the time yet to come
A video clip called We are all interested in the future, for that is where you and I are going to spend the rest of our lives.

We are all interested in the future, for that is where you and I are going to spend the rest of our lives.
man

an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
A video clip called Of the beloved wife of an elderly man.

Of the beloved wife of an elderly man.
mayday

an internationally recognized distress signal via radiotelephone (from the French m'aider)
A video clip called Mayday, mayday. Stand by, Burbank Tower.

Mayday, mayday. Stand by, Burbank Tower.
morning

the time period between dawn and noon
A video clip called Wouldn't surprise me any if he's asleep this time of the morning.

Wouldn't surprise me any if he's asleep this time of the morning.
most

(superlative of `many' used with count nouns and often preceded by `the') quantifier meaning the greatest in number
A video clip called I doubt it. Most of them are asleep.

I doubt it. Most of them are asleep.
noise

sound of any kind (especially unintelligible or dissonant sound)
A video clip called I don't like hearing noises. Especially when there ain't supposed to be any.

I don't like hearing noises. Especially when there ain't supposed to be any.
ordeal

a severe or trying experience
A video clip called who survived this terrifying ordeal.

who survived this terrifying ordeal.
outer space

any location outside the Earth's atmosphere
A video clip called Can your heart stand the shocking facts about grave robbers from outer space?

Can your heart stand the shocking facts about grave robbers from outer space?
place

any area set aside for a particular purpose
A video clip called the places...

the places...
prayer

the act of communicating with a deity (especially as a petition or in adoration or contrition or thanksgiving)
A video clip called gathered in silent prayer around the newly-opened grave...

gathered in silent prayer around the newly-opened grave...
reason

the capacity for rational thought or inference or discrimination
A video clip called clouded his very reason.

clouded his very reason.
rest

something left after other parts have been taken away
A video clip called We are all interested in the future, for that is where you and I are going to spend the rest of our lives.

We are all interested in the future, for that is where you and I are going to spend the rest of our lives.
robber

a thief who steals from someone by threatening violence
A video clip called Can your heart stand the shocking facts about grave robbers from outer space?

Can your heart stand the shocking facts about grave robbers from outer space?
sadden

make unhappy
A video clip called The saddened group left the graveside.

The saddened group left the graveside.
san fernando valley

a fertile valley in southern California to the north of Los Angeles; includes many residential communities
A video clip called Yup, right on schedule. There's the ol' San Fernando Valley out there now.

Yup, right on schedule. There's the ol' San Fernando Valley out there now.
secret

something that should remain hidden from others (especially information that is not to be passed on)
A video clip called based only on the secret testimony...

based only on the secret testimony...
shadow

shade within clear boundaries
A video clip called for the shadows of grief

for the shadows of grief
shock

the feeling of distress and disbelief that you have when something bad happens accidentally
A video clip called yet death is always a shock...

yet death is always a shock...
side

a place within a region identified relative to a center or reference location
A video clip called The saddened group left the graveside.

The saddened group left the graveside.
sort

a category of things distinguished by some common characteristic or quality
A video clip called Yeah, sort of spooky-like.

Yeah, sort of spooky-like.
soul

the immaterial part of a person; the actuating cause of an individual life
A video clip called ...of the miserable souls...

...of the miserable souls...
story

a message that tells the particulars of an act or occurrence or course of events; presented in writing or drama or cinema or as a radio or television program
A video clip called we are bringing to you the full story of what happened on that fateful day.

we are bringing to you the full story of what happened on that fateful day.
warning

a message informing of danger
A video clip called comes suddenly without warning.

comes suddenly without warning.
world

everything that exists anywhere
A video clip called What in the world... That's nothing from this world.

What in the world... That's nothing from this world.
surprise

cause to be surprised
A video clip called Wouldn't surprise me any if he's asleep this time of the morning.

Wouldn't surprise me any if he's asleep this time of the morning.
survive

continue to live through hardship or adversity
A video clip called who survived this terrifying ordeal.

who survived this terrifying ordeal.
take a look

look at with attention
A video clip called Trouble? Take a look for yourself.

Trouble? Take a look for yourself.
take place

come to pass
A video clip called It was when the gravediggers started their task that strange things began to take place.

It was when the gravediggers started their task that strange things began to take place.
happen

come to pass
A video clip called we are bringing to you the full story of what happened on that fateful day.

we are bringing to you the full story of what happened on that fateful day.
keep

keep in a certain state, position, or activity; e.g., "keep clean"
A video clip called My friend, we cannot keep this a secret any longer.

My friend, we cannot keep this a secret any longer.
keep quiet

refrain from divulging sensitive information; keep quiet about confidential information
A video clip called Good. We'll get them ready for landing. Keep it quiet until we get instructions. Right.

Good. We'll get them ready for landing. Keep it quiet until we get instructions. Right.
know

be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
A video clip called know that there is a time to live...

know that there is a time to live...
leave

leave unchanged or undisturbed or refrain from taking
A video clip called In your case maybe I'll leave you up there for good. Over.

In your case maybe I'll leave you up there for good. Over.
leave behind

depart and not take along
A video clip called ...to those left behind.

...to those left behind.
like

find enjoyable or agreeable
A video clip called I don't like hearing noises. Especially when there ain't supposed to be any.

I don't like hearing noises. Especially when there ain't supposed to be any.
live

inhabit or live in; be an inhabitant of
A video clip called know that there is a time to live...

know that there is a time to live...
affect

have an effect upon
A video clip called Future events such as these will affect you in the future.

Future events such as these will affect you in the future.
based

having a base
A video clip called based only on the secret testimony...

based only on the secret testimony...
begin

take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
A video clip called It was when the gravediggers started their task that strange things began to take place.

It was when the gravediggers started their task that strange things began to take place.
bring

take something or somebody with oneself somewhere
A video clip called we are bringing to you the full story of what happened on that fateful day.

we are bringing to you the full story of what happened on that fateful day.
check

examine so as to determine accuracy, quality, or condition
A video clip called But it was quite a jolt, Jeff. I'll check.

But it was quite a jolt, Jeff. I'll check.
die

pass from physical life and lose all bodily attributes and functions necessary to sustain life
A video clip called and that there is a time to die,

and that there is a time to die,
do

carry out or perform an action
A video clip called I thought I did.

I thought I did.
doubt

consider unlikely or have doubts about
A video clip called I doubt it. Most of them are asleep.

I doubt it. Most of them are asleep.
gather

assemble or get together
A video clip called gathered in silent prayer around the newly-opened grave...

gathered in silent prayer around the newly-opened grave...
get

receive a specified treatment (abstract)
A video clip called You got me that time, Mac. This American Flight 812 requesting...

You got me that time, Mac. This American Flight 812 requesting...
go

change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
A video clip called Whatever it is, it's gone now.

Whatever it is, it's gone now.
punish

impose a penalty on; inflict punishment on
A video clip called Let us punish the guilty,

Let us punish the guilty,
remember

recall knowledge from memory; have a recollection
A video clip called And remember my friend...

And remember my friend...
report

announce one's presence
A video clip called American Flight 812 reporting to Burbank Tower, over.

American Flight 812 reporting to Burbank Tower, over.
request

express the need or desire for; ask for
A video clip called You got me that time, Mac. This American Flight 812 requesting...

You got me that time, Mac. This American Flight 812 requesting...
reward

bestow honor or rewards upon
A video clip called let us reward the innocent.

let us reward the innocent.
see

perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
A video clip called Do you suppose the passengers saw it?

Do you suppose the passengers saw it?
spend

pass time in a specific way
A video clip called We are all interested in the future, for that is where you and I are going to spend the rest of our lives.

We are all interested in the future, for that is where you and I are going to spend the rest of our lives.
spook

frighten or scare, and often provoke into a violent action
A video clip called Yeah, sort of spooky-like.

Yeah, sort of spooky-like.
stand

put up with something or somebody unpleasant
A video clip called Can your heart stand the shocking facts about grave robbers from outer space?

Can your heart stand the shocking facts about grave robbers from outer space?
stand by

not act or do anything
A video clip called Mayday, mayday. Stand by, Burbank Tower.

Mayday, mayday. Stand by, Burbank Tower.
start

take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
A video clip called It was when the gravediggers started their task that strange things began to take place.

It was when the gravediggers started their task that strange things began to take place.
terrifying

causing extreme terror
A video clip called who survived this terrifying ordeal.

who survived this terrifying ordeal.
good

having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified
A video clip called Good. We'll get them ready for landing. Keep it quiet until we get instructions. Right.

Good. We'll get them ready for landing. Keep it quiet until we get instructions. Right.
guilty

responsible for or chargeable with a reprehensible act
A video clip called Let us punish the guilty,

Let us punish the guilty,
holy

belonging to or derived from or associated with a divine power
A video clip called Holy mackerel.

Holy mackerel.
innocent

free from evil or guilt
A video clip called let us reward the innocent.

let us reward the innocent.
interested

having or showing interest; especially curiosity or fascination or concern
A video clip called You are interested in the unknown, the mysterious, the unexplainable.

You are interested in the unknown, the mysterious, the unexplainable.
like

resembling or similar; having the same or some of the same characteristics; often used in combination
A video clip called Yeah, sort of spooky-like.

Yeah, sort of spooky-like.
beloved

dearly loved
A video clip called Of the beloved wife of an elderly man.

Of the beloved wife of an elderly man.
best

(superlative of `good') having the most positive qualities
A video clip called That's the best thing for us too. Gone. Yeah, let's go.

That's the best thing for us too. Gone. Yeah, let's go.
better

(comparative and superlative of `well') wiser or more advantageous and hence advisable
A video clip called You better radio in for landing instructions, Danny.

You better radio in for landing instructions, Danny.
clouded

made troubled or apprehensive or distressed in appearance
A video clip called clouded his very reason.

clouded his very reason.
elderly

advanced in years; (`aged' is pronounced as two syllables)
A video clip called Of the beloved wife of an elderly man.

Of the beloved wife of an elderly man.
full

containing as much or as many as is possible or normal
A video clip called we are bringing to you the full story of what happened on that fateful day.

we are bringing to you the full story of what happened on that fateful day.
miserable

very unhappy; full of misery
A video clip called ...of the miserable souls...

...of the miserable souls...
mysterious

of an obscure nature
A video clip called You are interested in the unknown, the mysterious, the unexplainable.

You are interested in the unknown, the mysterious, the unexplainable.
old

(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
A video clip called Maybe we're getting' old.

Maybe we're getting' old.
opened

made open or clear
A video clip called gathered in silent prayer around the newly-opened grave...

gathered in silent prayer around the newly-opened grave...
proud

feeling self-respect or pleasure in something by which you measure your self-worth; or being a reason for pride
A video clip called when death the proud brother,

when death the proud brother,
ready

completely prepared or in condition for immediate action or use or progress
A video clip called Good. We'll get them ready for landing. Keep it quiet until we get instructions. Right.

Good. We'll get them ready for landing. Keep it quiet until we get instructions. Right.
shocking

glaringly vivid and graphic; marked by sensationalism
A video clip called Can your heart stand the shocking facts about grave robbers from outer space?

Can your heart stand the shocking facts about grave robbers from outer space?
such

of so extreme a degree or extent
A video clip called Future events such as these will affect you in the future.

Future events such as these will affect you in the future.
also

in addition
A video clip called yet also the sundown of the old man's heart,

yet also the sundown of the old man's heart,
always

at all times; all the time and on every occasion
A video clip called yet death is always a shock...

yet death is always a shock...
any longer

at the present or from now on; usually used with a negative
A video clip called My friend, we cannot keep this a secret any longer.

My friend, we cannot keep this a secret any longer.
asleep

into a sleeping state
A video clip called I doubt it. Most of them are asleep.

I doubt it. Most of them are asleep.
especially

to a distinctly greater extent or degree than is common
A video clip called I don't like hearing noises. Especially when there ain't supposed to be any.

I don't like hearing noises. Especially when there ain't supposed to be any.
even

used as an intensive especially to indicate something unexpected
A video clip called It is even more of a shock,

It is even more of a shock,
for good

for a long time without essential change
A video clip called In your case maybe I'll leave you up there for good. Over.

In your case maybe I'll leave you up there for good. Over.
more

to a greater degree or extent
A video clip called It is even more of a shock,

It is even more of a shock,
never

not ever; at no time in the past or future
A video clip called If I were asleep you'd never get on the ground.

If I were asleep you'd never get on the ground.
newly

very recently
A video clip called gathered in silent prayer around the newly-opened grave...

gathered in silent prayer around the newly-opened grave...
nothing

in no respect; to no degree
A video clip called What in the world... That's nothing from this world.

What in the world... That's nothing from this world.
quite a

of an unusually noticeable or exceptional or remarkable kind (not used with a negative)
A video clip called But it was quite a jolt, Jeff. I'll check.

But it was quite a jolt, Jeff. I'll check.
right

precisely, exactly
A video clip called Good. We'll get them ready for landing. Keep it quiet until we get instructions. Right.

Good. We'll get them ready for landing. Keep it quiet until we get instructions. Right.
sort of

to some (great or small) extent
A video clip called Yeah, sort of spooky-like.

Yeah, sort of spooky-like.
suddenly

happening unexpectedly
A video clip called comes suddenly without warning.

comes suddenly without warning.
up

spatially or metaphorically from a lower to a higher position
A video clip called In your case maybe I'll leave you up there for good. Over.

In your case maybe I'll leave you up there for good. Over.
very

to a great extent or degree
A video clip called clouded his very reason.

clouded his very reason.
Lesson Instructions
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  • Optionally, print and study from the Lesson PDF
  • Watch the video and study the language until you understand more about what is happening in the story.