My dilemma with "borderline boring" word combination I am translating subtitles for TED talk from English to Russian. I've met 'borderline boring' in the following context: First year of marriage, it's all wonderful; twentieth year of marriage - and we have been married 21 years, I've said this in front of my wife - partners become borderline boring after 20 years. 30 years, even worse. I had doubts on meaning of 'borderline boring' and I asked for help from professional and amauter translators on FB. Their opinions divided (almost 50%/50%) which reflects my own doubts. So, I would like to hear opinion of native speakers. I am interested in meaning of this word combination. What does "borderline boring" mean here? 1) spouses are ALMOST bored with each other after 20 years of marriage (I tend toward this variant) 2) spouses are ALREADY bored to death with each other after 20 years of marriage Russian translation will vary significantly depending on the meaning. thank you!

What does 'no takers' mean? I am translating an article about history of rum in the USA and can not understand the meaning of 'no takers' Context is as following: .... 1861 to 1865 Union Soldiers confiscate Louisiana rum and destroy stills during war 1898 - advertising of distilling equipment and articles written to attract sugar mill owners – no takers

A question about a residual-current device ;-( I am translating the text about heating cables and struggling with the phrase about 'the residual-current device' Could you, please, correct it? Over time, the influence of temperature may cause the decrease of insulation resistance. The danger lies in the fact that it causes the cracking of the insulation and leads to the malfunctioning of the heating cable. Thus, the cable secured (controlled?) by the residual-current device will not heat the floor. thank you!

Call on, call over, drop in (at place),come by Is there difference in meaning and usage of phrasal verbs 'Call on, call over, drop in (at place), come by' when we talk about 'short visit'? Which of them are widely used in American English and which in British English? Thank you!

A question about 'γάτα' for Greek people ;-) It is not linguistic question. It is mostly cultural. I would like to know what does cat symbolise in Greece? In Ukraine cat is a symbol of home, homey cosiness. Maybe it is not the main symbol but it is tightly connected with 'home' concept. We even have tradition/superstition: when you move into new house you should let the cat go first into it. Allegedly, it will bring happiness. Do you have the same implication while you talk about γάτα? ευχαριστώ πολύ!

ignorant/ignoramus Dear native speakers, are these sentences correct: "1) I am completely ignorant when it comes to laundry. 2) I am a complete ignoramus in laundry" ? I asked my American friend if either of them was correct. He told me that they might be grammatically correct but in real life no one would use them like this. What do you think? How would you say that 'you don't know much about doing laundry'? thanks!

To bed in ???? What is English word/term/idiom/concept/phrase for the process in human relationship (usually romantic one but not only) when two people need to adjust to each other, to get to know habits of each other, to tolerate shortcomings of each other? In Russian for describing this process with the same verb that we use for parts of machine in mechanics. Something like 'to bed in' (притираться, притирка). Does this verb work for human relationship? Thank you!

Direct someone's attention 'to' or 'on' something? (American English) I am a bit perplexed... I always think it is right to say 'to direct someone's attention TO something'. But yesterday on VOA news website I found out this phrase with ON preposition: 'It directed many people's attention ON racial inequality in American society'. http://learningenglish.voanews.com/a/3598788.html Which of the prepositions is better to use? thanks!

What are your favorite apps for learning English?

Hello everyone!

In the context of modern dynamic life, time proved to be one of the most significant resources.So, I try to make the best of time I spend on my way to the office, in the line to the dentist or in the gym and STUDY.

I have different apps in my phone; some of them are really helpful other I delete after 2 days of use.

I am going to list a few of my favorite apps (and their web sites cause sometimes it is difficult to find an app with the title only).

They are as follows:

cram (www.cram.com) - flash cards for memorizing words

vocabulary (www.vocabulary.com)  - dictionary with adaptive learning game

eslpod (www.eslpod.com) - these podcasts are amazing!!! They contain abundance of interesting topics and American cultural information. However, they used to be free and now students have to pay for memebership :-(

linguee (www.linguee.com) - dictionary. I love the fact this dictionary gives not only translation of the word but bilingual context.  

And I have a request for you...
Please, share your favorite apps/podcasts for learning English.

I am particularly interested in vocabulary builder apps (for Intermediate and higher levels). But good grammar apps will be useful too!

Thanks!