Are You Guilty of 'Sitting on the Fence?'
2022-04-24
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1And now Words and Their Stories from VOA Learning English.
2This program takes a deeper look at words and expressions in the English language.
3Sometimes we take one word and see where it leads us.
4Today, we look at the word "fence."
5One definition of "fence" is an outdoor structure that encloses an area.
6Fences mark property.
7They are barriers.
8A fence is different from a wall because it does not have a solid foundation along its whole length.
9Fences are used to keep things in -- like animals -- or keep things out -- like criminals.
10Speaking of criminals, when they deal in stolen goods they are fencing and could be called a fence.
11And if the criminals are fencing stolen goods while having a sword fight, you say they are fencing fences.
12But let's get back to "fence" meaning an outdoor structure.
13As we said, a fence marks a property line.
14It gives you privacy.
15People can't see onto your property and vice versa.
16To many people, this is a good way to keep peace in a neighborhood.
17Everybody just minds their own business.
18Sometimes if a neighbor knows too much of your business, it could lead to problems.
19That is where this proverb comes from: "Fences make good neighbors."
20This proverb appears several times in Robert Frost's poem Mending Wall published in 1914.
21Our next expression is very common: To be on the fence.
22If you are sitting "on the fence" about something you are undecided.
23A fence divides property into sides.
24So, if you are on the fence about something, you have not taken sides.
25For example, let's say your child's school just raised $20,000.
26School officials want to spend that money on either new science equipment or a new outdoor play area.
27They ask the parents to give their opinion.
28But you don't know which is more important for the students.
29So, you sit on the fence for awhile. You don't feel strongly about either choice.
30If you did, you would certainly pick a side and not stay on the fence.
31Sometimes we turn this saying into a noun.
32A "fence-sitter" is someone who always stays neutral.
33They never take sides in an argument.
34They do not seem to have an opinion of their own.
35And they never take a stance for anything.
36This could show a lack of courage.
37So, calling someone a fence-sitter is usually an insult.
38Now, that is not the case if you are simply undecided about an issue; or if you need more time to make a decision; or if you just don't care.
39For example, let's say there is an election coming, and I have not decided who I am voting for.
40I can say, "I don't know. I'm on the fence between two candidates."
41This doesn't mean I'm unwilling or unable to pick a candidate. I just haven't yet.
42However, let's say I never vote because I can't make a decision.
43And I have a long history of being indecisive.
44Someone could rightfully call me a fence-sitter. And that would rightfully be an insult.
45And that's all the time we have for this Words and Their Stories.
46Until next time, I'm Anna Matteo.
1And now Words and Their Stories from VOA Learning English. 2This program takes a deeper look at words and expressions in the English language. Sometimes we take one word and see where it leads us. 3Today, we look at the word "fence." 4One definition of "fence" is an outdoor structure that encloses an area. Fences mark property. They are barriers. A fence is different from a wall because it does not have a solid foundation along its whole length. 5Fences are used to keep things in -- like animals -- or keep things out -- like criminals. 6Speaking of criminals, when they deal in stolen goods they are fencing and could be called a fence. And if the criminals are fencing stolen goods while having a sword fight, you say they are fencing fences. 7But let's get back to "fence" meaning an outdoor structure. 8As we said, a fence marks a property line. It gives you privacy. People can't see onto your property and vice versa. To many people, this is a good way to keep peace in a neighborhood. Everybody just minds their own business. Sometimes if a neighbor knows too much of your business, it could lead to problems. 9That is where this proverb comes from: "Fences make good neighbors." This proverb appears several times in Robert Frost's poem Mending Wall published in 1914. 10Our next expression is very common: To be on the fence. 11If you are sitting "on the fence" about something you are undecided. A fence divides property into sides. So, if you are on the fence about something, you have not taken sides. 12For example, let's say your child's school just raised $20,000. School officials want to spend that money on either new science equipment or a new outdoor play area. They ask the parents to give their opinion. But you don't know which is more important for the students. So, you sit on the fence for awhile. You don't feel strongly about either choice. If you did, you would certainly pick a side and not stay on the fence. 13Sometimes we turn this saying into a noun. 14A "fence-sitter" is someone who always stays neutral. They never take sides in an argument. They do not seem to have an opinion of their own. And they never take a stance for anything. This could show a lack of courage. So, calling someone a fence-sitter is usually an insult. 15Now, that is not the case if you are simply undecided about an issue; or if you need more time to make a decision; or if you just don't care. 16For example, let's say there is an election coming, and I have not decided who I am voting for. I can say, "I don't know. I'm on the fence between two candidates." This doesn't mean I'm unwilling or unable to pick a candidate. I just haven't yet. 17However, let's say I never vote because I can't make a decision. And I have a long history of being indecisive. Someone could rightfully call me a fence-sitter. And that would rightfully be an insult. 18And that's all the time we have for this Words and Their Stories. Until next time, I'm Anna Matteo. 19Anna Matteo wrote this story for VOA Learning English. 20____________________________________________________________________ 21Words in This Story 22criminal - n. a person who has committed an unlawful act 23fencing - v. dealing in stolen property : fighting with swords 24privacy - n. the state of being out of the sight and hearing of other people 25vice versa - adv. with the order turned around 26proverb - n. a short well-known saying containing a wise thought 27neutral - adj. not favoring either side in a quarrel, contest, or war 28stance - n. intellectual or emotional attitude 29courage - n. the ability to meet danger and difficulties with firmness