Multi-lingual GPS

I never go off on a trip without my GPS unit. It proved to be invaluable at the general meeting in Calgary a few years ago - it spoke metric. That helped converting mph to kph. It also has the ability to speak in many languages, but it doesn't speak ...

Gene Wolf Blog

April 23, 2012

2 min read

Having grown up in the Sunshine State, I know there are many common terms used that could be a challenge to non-native speaker. So I thought it might be helpful to include a few everyday words and expressions for my travel tip for today.

General terms

"Over yonder" - it is over there; "I reckon" - I understand or I think; "High-tail-it" - really move at a high rate of speed; "cattywampus" - something that is askew or warped:

More specific

"fixin" - getting ready to do something; "Hankerin" - a strong desire. You might say I'm fixin to eat and have a hankerin for hush puppies. "Hush puppies" - little round balls of fried cornmeal spiced to perfection and great to eat with "polk salad" and catfish! "Poke salad" is a green that grows wild, but it is an acquired taste.

That should give you a little help. And remember real Key Lime pie is yellow and not green.

About the Author

Gene Wolf Blog

Technical Writer

Gene Wolf has been designing and building substations and other high technology facilities for over 32 years. He received his BSEE from Wichita State University. He received his MSEE from New Mexico State University. He is a registered professional engineer in the states of California and New Mexico. He started his career as a substation engineer for Kansas Gas and Electric, retired as the Principal Engineer of Stations for Public Service Company of New Mexico recently, and founded Lone Wolf Engineering, LLC an engineering consulting company.

Gene is widely recognized as a technical leader in the electric power industry. Gene is a fellow of the IEEE. He is the former Chairman of the IEEE PES T&D Committee. He has held the position of the Chairman of the HVDC & FACTS Subcommittee and membership in many T&D working groups. Gene is also active in renewable energy. He sponsored the formation of the “Integration of Renewable Energy into the Transmission & Distribution Grids” subcommittee and the “Intelligent Grid Transmission and Distribution” subcommittee within the Transmission and Distribution committee.