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Scarlet Street

A Certain Peculiar... Something

(Lesson 6)

Total words 169 Video duration 7:54



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adam

(Old Testament) in Judeo-Christian mythology; the first man and the husband of Eve and the progenitor of the human race
A video clip called You're just nervous. The old guy that sold them doesn't know me from Adam.

You're just nervous. The old guy that sold them doesn't know me from Adam.
address

the place where a person or organization can be found or communicated with
A video clip called Let me have your name and address.

Let me have your name and address.
appreciation

understanding of the nature or meaning or quality or magnitude of something
A video clip called No appreciation, no taste, no perception...

No appreciation, no taste, no perception...
art

the products of human creativity; works of art collectively
A video clip called He may be dumb, but not about art.

He may be dumb, but not about art.
art critic

a critic of paintings
A video clip called He's an art critic.

He's an art critic.
authority

an expert whose views are taken as definitive
A video clip called The best authority in New York on modern art.

The best authority in New York on modern art.
bronx

a borough of New York City
A video clip called And that snake is strictly from the Bronx.

And that snake is strictly from the Bronx.
brooklyn

a borough of New York City
A video clip called This fellow lives in Brooklyn. He's famous.

This fellow lives in Brooklyn. He's famous.
buck

a piece of paper money worth one dollar
A video clip called They're worth just 25 bucks apiece.

They're worth just 25 bucks apiece.
business

a commercial or industrial enterprise and the people who constitute it
A video clip called Bring me some more of that and we can do business, Johnny.

Bring me some more of that and we can do business, Johnny.
canvas

a heavy, closely woven fabric (used for clothing or chairs or sails or tents)
A video clip called The Village longhairs are peddling junk like that for the price of the canvas.

The Village longhairs are peddling junk like that for the price of the canvas.
commission

a fee for services rendered based on a percentage of an amount received or collected or agreed to be paid (as distinguished from a salary)
A video clip called You want me to sell them on commission?

You want me to sell them on commission?
couple

a small indefinite number
A video clip called So you gave away two pictures for a couple of dimes and now you can't collect the dimes.

So you gave away two pictures for a couple of dimes and now you can't collect the dimes.
critic

a person who is professionally engaged in the analysis and interpretation of works of art
A video clip called The heck he won't. That Janeway's a cri%CC%81tic... he writes for the newspaper.

The heck he won't. That Janeway's a cri%CC%81tic... he writes for the newspaper.
day

time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
A video clip called The day he took me to the museum he explained to me how everything was done.

The day he took me to the museum he explained to me how everything was done.
diamond

a transparent piece of diamond that has been cut and polished and is valued as a precious gem
A video clip called You know how much a good diamond costs?

You know how much a good diamond costs?
dime

a United States coin worth one tenth of a dollar
A video clip called So you gave away two pictures for a couple of dimes and now you can't collect the dimes.

So you gave away two pictures for a couple of dimes and now you can't collect the dimes.
dollar

the basic monetary unit in many countries; equal to 100 cents
A video clip called I gave you 900 dollars.

I gave you 900 dollars.
dope

an ignorant or foolish person
A video clip called Maybe you're the dope.

Maybe you're the dope.
dough

informal terms for money
A video clip called He could borrow dough, or have it stashed away...

He could borrow dough, or have it stashed away...
drink

a single serving of a beverage
A video clip called Give me that drink, I can use it.

Give me that drink, I can use it.
eye

good discernment (either visually or as if visually)
A video clip called I can see you've got an eye for art.

I can see you've got an eye for art.
fellow

a boy or man
A video clip called The fellow who paints those gets 50 grand for a single picture.

The fellow who paints those gets 50 grand for a single picture.
gentleman

a man of refinement
A video clip called If I weren't a gentleman...

If I weren't a gentleman...
good night

a conventional expression of farewell
A video clip called Thank you, Chris. Good night. Good night, JJ.

Thank you, Chris. Good night. Good night, JJ.
grand

the cardinal number that is the product of 10 and 100
A video clip called The fellow who paints those gets 50 grand for a single picture.

The fellow who paints those gets 50 grand for a single picture.
guy

an informal term for a youth or man
A video clip called You've been telling me what a dope the old guy is...

You've been telling me what a dope the old guy is...
hi

an expression of greeting
A video clip called Hello, Nick. Hi.

Hello, Nick. Hi.
hurry

a condition of urgency making it necessary to hurry
A video clip called Well go ahead, see who it is. Hurry up.

Well go ahead, see who it is. Hurry up.
jewelry

an adornment (as a bracelet or ring or necklace) made of precious metals and set with gems (or imitation gems)
A video clip called That was jewelry.

That was jewelry.
junk

the remains of something that has been destroyed or broken up
A video clip called The Village longhairs are peddling junk like that for the price of the canvas.

The Village longhairs are peddling junk like that for the price of the canvas.
key

metal device shaped in such a way that when it is inserted into the appropriate lock the lock's mechanism can be rotated
A video clip called Chris? No, he's got a key.

Chris? No, he's got a key.
live

inhabit or live in; be an inhabitant of
A video clip called This fellow lives in Brooklyn. He's famous.

This fellow lives in Brooklyn. He's famous.
look

the act of directing the eyes toward something and perceiving it visually
A video clip called He took one look and bought them both.

He took one look and bought them both.
matter

a problem
A video clip called Hey. What's the matter with you, Nick?

Hey. What's the matter with you, Nick?
minute

an indefinitely short time
A video clip called I'm about through, Ben, you can let me out in a minute. Yes, sir.

I'm about through, Ben, you can let me out in a minute. Yes, sir.
money

the most common medium of exchange; functions as legal tender
A video clip called He told you his paintings are worth a lot of money...

He told you his paintings are worth a lot of money...
monkey

any of various long-tailed primates (excluding the prosimians)
A video clip called I'm going to make a monkey out of you, Lazy Legs.

I'm going to make a monkey out of you, Lazy Legs.
mr.

a form of address for a man
A video clip called Working late tonight, Mr. Cross?

Working late tonight, Mr. Cross?
museum

a depository for collecting and displaying objects having scientific or historical or artistic value
A video clip called The day he took me to the museum he explained to me how everything was done.

The day he took me to the museum he explained to me how everything was done.
name

a language unit by which a person or thing is known
A video clip called Yeah, what's his name? Well, I...

Yeah, what's his name? Well, I...
nerve

the courage to carry on
A video clip called Jeepers, Johnny, he's not the type. He wouldn't have nerve enough to steal.

Jeepers, Johnny, he's not the type. He wouldn't have nerve enough to steal.
new york

the largest city in New York State and in the United States; located in southeastern New York at the mouth of the Hudson river; a major financial and cultural center
A video clip called The best authority in New York on modern art.

The best authority in New York on modern art.
newspaper

a daily or weekly publication on folded sheets; contains news and articles and advertisements
A video clip called The heck he won't. That Janeway's a cri%CC%81tic... he writes for the newspaper.

The heck he won't. That Janeway's a cri%CC%81tic... he writes for the newspaper.
nothing

a quantity of no importance
A video clip called I couldn't even give him my pictures. Not for nothing.

I couldn't even give him my pictures. Not for nothing.
old boy

a familiar term of address for a man
A video clip called I tell you the old boy's a phony.

I tell you the old boy's a phony.
painter

an artist who paints
A video clip called I didn't know you were a painter.

I didn't know you were a painter.
painting

graphic art consisting of an artistic composition made by applying paints to a surface
A video clip called Look at my paintings.

Look at my paintings.
pawnshop

a shop where loans are made with personal property as security
A video clip called That's my pawnshop, isn't it?

That's my pawnshop, isn't it?
people

(plural) any group of human beings (men or women or children) collectively
A video clip called You should have heard him. People stood around and listened.

You should have heard him. People stood around and listened.
perception

the representation of what is perceived; basic component in the formation of a concept
A video clip called No appreciation, no taste, no perception...

No appreciation, no taste, no perception...
perspective

a way of regarding situations or topics etc.
A video clip called But no perspective.

But no perspective.
phony

a person who professes beliefs and opinions that he or she does not hold in order to conceal his or her real feelings or motives
A video clip called I tell you the old boy's a phony.

I tell you the old boy's a phony.
picture

a visual representation (of an object or scene or person or abstraction) produced on a surface
A video clip called The fellow who paints those gets 50 grand for a single picture.

The fellow who paints those gets 50 grand for a single picture.
price

the amount of money needed to purchase something
A video clip called The Village longhairs are peddling junk like that for the price of the canvas.

The Village longhairs are peddling junk like that for the price of the canvas.
ring

jewelry consisting of a circlet of precious metal (often set with jewels) worn on the finger
A video clip called What about my ring?

What about my ring?
sell

the activity of persuading someone to buy
A video clip called Then... you know, it's a hard business selling pictures.

Then... you know, it's a hard business selling pictures.
sir

term of address for a man
A video clip called I'm about through, Ben, you can let me out in a minute. Yes, sir.

I'm about through, Ben, you can let me out in a minute. Yes, sir.
snake

limbless scaly elongate reptile; some are venomous
A video clip called And that snake is strictly from the Bronx.

And that snake is strictly from the Bronx.
so long

a farewell remark
A video clip called I'll come back later... So long.

I'll come back later... So long.
spot

an act that brings discredit to the person who does it
A video clip called Golly, you got us in a spot. I told you not to do it.

Golly, you got us in a spot. I told you not to do it.
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 Did you check up on his story?

Did you check up on his story?
stuff

miscellaneous unspecified objects
A video clip called Nick, I've brought you stuff before and you never asked for any name on it.

Nick, I've brought you stuff before and you never asked for any name on it.
taste

delicate discrimination (especially of aesthetic values)
A video clip called No appreciation, no taste, no perception...

No appreciation, no taste, no perception...
telephone

electronic equipment that converts sound into electrical signals that can be transmitted over distances and then converts received signals back into sounds
A video clip called He told me to telephone him. You wait here, eh?

He told me to telephone him. You wait here, eh?
thank you

a conversational expression of gratitude
A video clip called Thank you, Chris. Good night. Good night, JJ.

Thank you, Chris. Good night. Good night, JJ.
tonight

the present or immediately coming night
A video clip called Working late tonight, Mr. Cross?

Working late tonight, Mr. Cross?
type

a person of a specified kind (usually with many eccentricities)
A video clip called Jeepers, Johnny, he's not the type. He wouldn't have nerve enough to steal.

Jeepers, Johnny, he's not the type. He wouldn't have nerve enough to steal.
village

a community of people smaller than a town
A video clip called The Village longhairs are peddling junk like that for the price of the canvas.

The Village longhairs are peddling junk like that for the price of the canvas.
worth

having a specified value
A video clip called Yipe. They've got pictures there worth a million bucks.

Yipe. They've got pictures there worth a million bucks.
yes

an affirmative
A video clip called I'm about through, Ben, you can let me out in a minute. Yes, sir.

I'm about through, Ben, you can let me out in a minute. Yes, sir.
ask

inquire about
A video clip called Nick, I've brought you stuff before and you never asked for any name on it.

Nick, I've brought you stuff before and you never asked for any name on it.
borrow

get temporarily
A video clip called He could borrow dough, or have it stashed away...

He could borrow dough, or have it stashed away...
bring

take something or somebody with oneself somewhere
A video clip called Nick, I've brought you stuff before and you never asked for any name on it.

Nick, I've brought you stuff before and you never asked for any name on it.
buy

obtain by purchase; acquire by means of a financial transaction
A video clip called Where did you buy them?

Where did you buy them?
cash

exchange for cash
A video clip called Cash this for me, will you, Chris? It's personal.

Cash this for me, will you, Chris? It's personal.
catch

reach in time
A video clip called I just caught you in time.

I just caught you in time.
check up on

examine so as to determine accuracy, quality, or condition
A video clip called Did you check up on his story?

Did you check up on his story?
collect

get or gather together
A video clip called So you gave away two pictures for a couple of dimes and now you can't collect the dimes.

So you gave away two pictures for a couple of dimes and now you can't collect the dimes.
come

move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
A video clip called I'll come back later... So long.

I'll come back later... So long.
cost

be priced at
A video clip called You know how much a good diamond costs?

You know how much a good diamond costs?
do

carry out or perform an action
A video clip called Golly, you got us in a spot. I told you not to do it.

Golly, you got us in a spot. I told you not to do it.
done

having finished or arrived at completion
A video clip called The day he took me to the museum he explained to me how everything was done.

The day he took me to the museum he explained to me how everything was done.
explain

make plain and comprehensible
A video clip called The day he took me to the museum he explained to me how everything was done.

The day he took me to the museum he explained to me how everything was done.
find out

get to know or become aware of, usually accidentally
A video clip called He won't find out.

He won't find out.
get

enter or assume a certain state or condition
A video clip called Well don't get sore.

Well don't get sore.
get

come into the possession of something concrete or abstract
A video clip called What do you got?

What do you got?
get hold of

be in or establish communication with
A video clip called He wants to get hold of you.

He wants to get hold of you.
give

cause to have, in the abstract sense or physical sense
A video clip called I couldn't even give him my pictures. Not for nothing.

I couldn't even give him my pictures. Not for nothing.
give away

make a gift of
A video clip called So you gave away two pictures for a couple of dimes and now you can't collect the dimes.

So you gave away two pictures for a couple of dimes and now you can't collect the dimes.
go

change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
A video clip called Where you going?

Where you going?
go ahead

proceed (with a plan of action)
A video clip called Well go ahead, see who it is. Hurry up.

Well go ahead, see who it is. Hurry up.
hear

perceive (sound) via the auditory sense
A video clip called You should have heard him. People stood around and listened.

You should have heard him. People stood around and listened.
know

be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
A video clip called I didn't know you were a painter.

I didn't know you were a painter.
know

be familiar or acquainted with a person or an object
A video clip called Don't you know who Mr. Janeway is? No.

Don't you know who Mr. Janeway is? No.
let

make it possible through a specific action or lack of action for something to happen
A video clip called I'm about through, Ben, you can let me out in a minute. Yes, sir.

I'm about through, Ben, you can let me out in a minute. Yes, sir.
listen

hear with intention
A video clip called You should have heard him. People stood around and listened.

You should have heard him. People stood around and listened.
look at

take into consideration for exemplifying purposes
A video clip called Look at my paintings.

Look at my paintings.
make

make or cause to be or to become
A video clip called I'm going to make a monkey out of you, Lazy Legs.

I'm going to make a monkey out of you, Lazy Legs.
paint

make a painting
A video clip called The fellow who paints those gets 50 grand for a single picture.

The fellow who paints those gets 50 grand for a single picture.
peddle

sell or offer for sale from place to place
A video clip called The Village longhairs are peddling junk like that for the price of the canvas.

The Village longhairs are peddling junk like that for the price of the canvas.
pick up

gather or collect
A video clip called Where'd you pick them up... over in Washington Square?

Where'd you pick them up... over in Washington Square?
pipe down

become quiet or quieter
A video clip called Will you pipe down?

Will you pipe down?
say

express in words
A video clip called Who says I can't?

Who says I can't?
see

perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
A video clip called I can see you've got an eye for art.

I can see you've got an eye for art.
sell

exchange or deliver for money or its equivalent
A video clip called I didn't buy them, I want to sell them.

I didn't buy them, I want to sell them.
stand

be standing; be upright
A video clip called You should have heard him. People stood around and listened.

You should have heard him. People stood around and listened.
start

take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
A video clip called I always start everything at 25.

I always start everything at 25.
stash away

keep or lay aside for future use
A video clip called He could borrow dough, or have it stashed away...

He could borrow dough, or have it stashed away...
steal

take without the owner's consent
A video clip called Or even steal it. Chris steal?

Or even steal it. Chris steal?
take

take somebody somewhere
A video clip called The day he took me to the museum he explained to me how everything was done.

The day he took me to the museum he explained to me how everything was done.
take

take something or somebody with oneself somewhere
A video clip called You can't take his pictures to the museum.

You can't take his pictures to the museum.
take

carry out
A video clip called He took one look and bought them both.

He took one look and bought them both.
take a look

look at with attention
A video clip called Take a look at these...

Take a look at these...
take back

bring back to the point of departure
A video clip called Take this junk back to Washington Square where you got it.

Take this junk back to Washington Square where you got it.
tell

express in words
A video clip called You've been telling me what a dope the old guy is...

You've been telling me what a dope the old guy is...
think

judge or regard; look upon; judge
A video clip called How much do you think they're worth?

How much do you think they're worth?
use

put into service; make work or employ for a particular purpose or for its inherent or natural purpose
A video clip called Give me that drink, I can use it.

Give me that drink, I can use it.
wait

stay in one place and anticipate or expect something
A video clip called He told me to telephone him. You wait here, eh?

He told me to telephone him. You wait here, eh?
want

feel or have a desire for; want strongly
A video clip called I didn't buy them, I want to sell them.

I didn't buy them, I want to sell them.
work

exert oneself by doing mental or physical work for a purpose or out of necessity
A video clip called Working late tonight, Mr. Cross?

Working late tonight, Mr. Cross?
write

communicate or express by writing
A video clip called The heck he won't. That Janeway's a cri%CC%81tic... he writes for the newspaper.

The heck he won't. That Janeway's a cri%CC%81tic... he writes for the newspaper.
best

(superlative of `good') having the most positive qualities
A video clip called That's one of my best.

That's one of my best.
certain

definite but not specified or identified
A video clip called A certain peculiar... something.

A certain peculiar... something.
crazy

affected with madness or insanity
A video clip called That's what's wrong with it. You're crazy.

That's what's wrong with it. You're crazy.
dopey

having or revealing stupidity
A video clip called You're the Mr. FixIt who was gonna make a monkey out of poor dopey little Kitty.

You're the Mr. FixIt who was gonna make a monkey out of poor dopey little Kitty.
dumb

slow to learn or understand; lacking intellectual acuity
A video clip called He may be dumb, but not about art.

He may be dumb, but not about art.
famous

widely known and esteemed
A video clip called This fellow lives in Brooklyn. He's famous.

This fellow lives in Brooklyn. He's famous.
funny

arousing or provoking laughter
A video clip called For cat's sake, what's so funny?

For cat's sake, what's so funny?
good

having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified
A video clip called Are they any good?

Are they any good?
hard

not easy; requiring great physical or mental effort to accomplish or comprehend or endure
A video clip called Then... you know, it's a hard business selling pictures.

Then... you know, it's a hard business selling pictures.
important

of great significance or value
A video clip called Is that important? I should say it is.

Is that important? I should say it is.
late

being or occurring at an advanced period of time or after a usual or expected time
A video clip called Working late tonight, Mr. Cross?

Working late tonight, Mr. Cross?
little

limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
A video clip called You're the Mr. FixIt who was gonna make a monkey out of poor dopey little Kitty.

You're the Mr. FixIt who was gonna make a monkey out of poor dopey little Kitty.
modern

relating to a recently developed fashion or style
A video clip called The best authority in New York on modern art.

The best authority in New York on modern art.
much

(quantifier used with mass nouns) great in quantity or degree or extent
A video clip called How much do you think they're worth?

How much do you think they're worth?
nervous

easily agitated
A video clip called You're just nervous. The old guy that sold them doesn't know me from Adam.

You're just nervous. The old guy that sold them doesn't know me from Adam.
old

(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
A video clip called You've been telling me what a dope the old guy is...

You've been telling me what a dope the old guy is...
peculiar

beyond or deviating from the usual or expected
A video clip called A certain peculiar... something.

A certain peculiar... something.
personal

concerning or affecting a particular person or his or her private life and personality
A video clip called Cash this for me, will you, Chris? It's personal.

Cash this for me, will you, Chris? It's personal.
phony

fraudulent; having a misleading appearance
A video clip called His money isn't phony, is it?

His money isn't phony, is it?
poor

deserving or inciting pity
A video clip called You're the Mr. FixIt who was gonna make a monkey out of poor dopey little Kitty.

You're the Mr. FixIt who was gonna make a monkey out of poor dopey little Kitty.
single

being or characteristic of a single thing or person
A video clip called The fellow who paints those gets 50 grand for a single picture.

The fellow who paints those gets 50 grand for a single picture.
sore

roused to anger
A video clip called Well don't get sore.

Well don't get sore.
sorry

feeling or expressing regret or sorrow or a sense of loss over something done or undone
A video clip called Sorry...

Sorry...
worth

worthy of being treated in a particular way
A video clip called He told you his paintings are worth a lot of money...

He told you his paintings are worth a lot of money...
wrong

not correct; not in conformity with fact or truth
A video clip called What's wrong with it?

What's wrong with it?
a lot

to a very great degree or extent
A video clip called He told you his paintings are worth a lot of money...

He told you his paintings are worth a lot of money...
always

at all times; all the time and on every occasion
A video clip called I always start everything at 25.

I always start everything at 25.
apiece

to or from every one of two or more (considered individually)
A video clip called They're worth just 25 bucks apiece.

They're worth just 25 bucks apiece.
back

in or to or toward a former location
A video clip called Take this junk back to Washington Square where you got it.

Take this junk back to Washington Square where you got it.
enough

as much as necessary
A video clip called Jeepers, Johnny, he's not the type. He wouldn't have nerve enough to steal.

Jeepers, Johnny, he's not the type. He wouldn't have nerve enough to steal.
even

used as an intensive especially to indicate something unexpected
A video clip called Or even steal it. Chris steal?

Or even steal it. Chris steal?
here

in or at this place; where the speaker or writer is
A video clip called Here you are, JJ..

Here you are, JJ..
in time

without being tardy
A video clip called I just caught you in time.

I just caught you in time.
just

indicating exactness or preciseness
A video clip called I just caught you in time.

I just caught you in time.
just

and nothing more
A video clip called They're worth just 25 bucks apiece.

They're worth just 25 bucks apiece.
later

happening at a time subsequent to a reference time
A video clip called I'll come back later... So long.

I'll come back later... So long.
maybe

by chance
A video clip called Maybe you're the dope.

Maybe you're the dope.
more

to a greater degree or extent
A video clip called Bring me some more of that and we can do business, Johnny.

Bring me some more of that and we can do business, Johnny.
never

not ever; at no time in the past or future
A video clip called Nick, I've brought you stuff before and you never asked for any name on it.

Nick, I've brought you stuff before and you never asked for any name on it.
not

negation of a word or group of words
A video clip called Jeepers, Johnny, he's not the type. He wouldn't have nerve enough to steal.

Jeepers, Johnny, he's not the type. He wouldn't have nerve enough to steal.
now

at the present moment
A video clip called So you gave away two pictures for a couple of dimes and now you can't collect the dimes.

So you gave away two pictures for a couple of dimes and now you can't collect the dimes.
nowadays

in these times
A video clip called People don't buy art nowadays.

People don't buy art nowadays.
of course

as might be expected
A video clip called Yes, yes... Yes, of course, JJ.

Yes, yes... Yes, of course, JJ.
so

to a very great extent or degree
A video clip called For cat's sake, what's so funny?

For cat's sake, what's so funny?
strictly

restricted to something
A video clip called And that snake is strictly from the Bronx.

And that snake is strictly from the Bronx.
then

subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
A video clip called Well then don't tell me I'm crazy.

Well then don't tell me I'm crazy.
there

in or at that place
A video clip called Yipe. They've got pictures there worth a million bucks.

Yipe. They've got pictures there worth a million bucks.
Lesson Instructions
  • Play the video and click the transcript to repeat lines for better understanding.
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