[ti:Read the Riot Act]
[al:Words and Their Stories]
[ar:VOA]
[dt:2024-03-03]
[by:www.voase.cn]
[00:08.31]And now, Words and Their Stories, from VOA Learning English.
[00:18.72]In life, there are times when we must tell others about their bad behavior or unsafe actions.
[00:28.07]Sometimes that means giving them a strongly worded warning or scolding them. We can also read them the riot act.
[00:41.65]A riot is a violent public disorder. And that is where the expression comes from.
[00:49.70]The Merriam-Webster online dictionary says it dates back to the early 1700s England, when opponents of King George I began a series of protests.
[01:04.09]The British government wanted to stop the protests. So, they passed a law called the "Riot Act." 
[01:13.01]It permitted officials to break up gatherings of 12 or more people by reading a speech out-loud. 
[01:22.17]If the protestors did not leave, they would be guilty of a crime punishable by death. 
[01:29.89]By 1819, "riot act" was also being used more generally for any severe warning or reprimand.
[01:40.59]The law is no longer enforced across the pond, as we sometimes refer to Britain.
[01:49.67]But the term to read the riot act is still alive and well today.
[01:56.09]We read someone the riot act to severely scold them. Reading the riot act can include some shouting - and, in fact, often does.
[02:10.05]We can use this expression in just about any situation where someone has made a big mistake - at work, with our friends, and with our family.
[02:23.05]Now, let's hear it used between two friendly coworkers who are talking about a family situation.
[02:32.20]A: Wow, who was that on the phone? I could hear her yelling at you all the way over here.
[02:39.74]B: It was my aunt reading me the riot act.
[02:43.65]A: Why? What did you do?
[02:45.80]B: Well, I forgot to go to her house for dinner last night. And she made all my favorite dishes.
[02:54.75]A: Oh. That is a big mistake. I'm not surprised she read you the riot act.
[03:01.21]B: And it was her birthday.
[03:04.22]A: Oh wow. I'm surprised she is still speaking to you.
[03:08.68]B: I know! I feel awful! So, to make it up to her, I'm taking her out to dinner at a restaurant that serves HER favorite dishes.
[03:22.11]If VOA Learning English stopped teaching English, our listeners would have every right to read us the riot act.
[03:32.89]And that's all the time we have for this Words and Their Stories.
[03:36.42]Until next time ... I'm Anna Matteo.