'Rolling Stones Gather No Moss'
2020-07-05
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1And now, Words and Their Stories, from VOA Learning English.
2On today's program, we will talk about the expression: A rolling stone gathers no moss.
3Most of you probably know that a stone is the same thing as a rock.
4But what about moss?
5Well, moss is a very soft, green plant.
6It has very small leaves and does not flower.
7It loves shade and water.
8So, moss grows well on wet ground, trees and rocks.
9In fact, rocks and stones that line shady creeks and rivers are often mossy.
10Moss grows slowly and is a rootless plant.
11It spreads well over non-moving surfaces.
12In fact, to prevent moss from growing on stones in your garden, you can just move the rocks around, turning them over now and then.
13Why? Because "A rolling stone gathers no moss."
14Now, years ago this expression was covered in another Words and Their Stories.
15That story explained the expression's connection to rock-and-roll.
16Writer Shelley Gollust explained that "a rolling stone gathers no moss" can be understood in a couple of ways.
17It can mean that a person who never settles down in one place will not gather wealth or long-lasting relationships.
18The moss that slowly spreads across the rock represents the money and friends we make over time.
19But there is another way we use this expression.
20Think about a rolling stone.
21It leads a carefree existence, on the move with no moss to worry about.
22People who are "rolling stones" live without the restrictions that come with responsibilities.
23They go where they choose when they choose.
24And, they don't stay anywhere long enough to form attachments. Or moss.
25A free spirit is also a term we use to describe such a person.
26They are not tied down with lots of traditional responsibilities.
27A rolling stone could also be described as "nomadic," often moving.
28Experts at the Merriam-Webster online dictionary define a nomad as a "member of a group of people who move from place to place."
29Often nomads move around to find food.
30However, these days we can use the word "nomadic" to describe anyone who moves around a lot.
31Now, the rolling stone lifestyle has been explored in many songs including work by Muddy Waters and Bob Dylan.
32One of the best came from The Temptations in 1972.
33"Papa Was a Rolling Stone" is about a man who leaves his family.
34In the song the mother tries to explain the father her son never knew.
35And that's the end of this Words and Their Stories. Until next time ... I'm Anna Matteo.
1And now, Words and Their Stories, from VOA Learning English. 2On today's program, we will talk about the expression: A rolling stone gathers no moss. 3Most of you probably know that a stone is the same thing as a rock. But what about moss? 4Well, moss is a very soft, green plant. It has very small leaves and does not flower. It loves shade and water. So, moss grows well on wet ground, trees and rocks. In fact, rocks and stones that line shady creeks and rivers are often mossy. 5Moss grows slowly and is a rootless plant. It spreads well over non-moving surfaces. In fact, to prevent moss from growing on stones in your garden, you can just move the rocks around, turning them over now and then. 6Why? Because "A rolling stone gathers no moss." 7Now, years ago this expression was covered in another Words and Their Stories. That story explained the expression's connection to rock-and-roll. Writer Shelley Gollust explained that "a rolling stone gathers no moss" can be understood in a couple of ways. 8It can mean that a person who never settles down in one place will not gather wealth or long-lasting relationships. The moss that slowly spreads across the rock represents the money and friends we make over time. 9But there is another way we use this expression. 10Think about a rolling stone. It leads a carefree existence, on the move with no moss to worry about. People who are "rolling stones" live without the restrictions that come with responsibilities. They go where they choose when they choose. And, they don't stay anywhere long enough to form attachments. Or moss. 11A free spirit is also a term we use to describe such a person. They are not tied down with lots of traditional responsibilities. 12A rolling stone could also be described as "nomadic," often moving. Experts at the Merriam-Webster online dictionary define a nomad as a "member of a group of people who move from place to place." Often nomads move around to find food. 13However, these days we can use the word "nomadic" to describe anyone who moves around a lot. 14Now, the rolling stone lifestyle has been explored in many songs including work by Muddy Waters and Bob Dylan. 15One of the best came from The Temptations in 1972. "Papa Was a Rolling Stone" is about a man who leaves his family. In the song the mother tries to explain the father her son never knew. 16And that's the end of this Words and Their Stories. Until next time ... I'm Anna Matteo. 17In the Comments Section, let us know how you view this expression. Is it good or bad be a rolling stone? 18Anna Matteo wrote this story for VOA Learning English. Caty Weaver was the editor. The first song used in this show is Bob Dylan singing "Rolling Stone" and the second is The Temptations singing "Papa Was a Rolling Stone." 19_________________________________________________________________ 20Words in This Story 21shady - adj. sheltered from the sun's light 22creek - n. a stream of water usually larger than a brook and smaller than a river 23gather - v. something brought together 24carefree - adj. having no worries or troubles 25free spirit - n. a person who thinks and acts in an uninhibited way without worrying about normal social rules 26nomadic adj. roaming about from place to place : characteristic of or being a nomad or group of nomads