How to pronounce concoction in English?

Hello I'm David James. Would you like to improve your English, build a powerful vocabulary, and speak English with real confidence? I can help you! Go right now to http://goodenglish.online 6 00:00:17,880 --> 00:00:22,980 for my free online course today. We're looking at the meaning of the word CONCOCTION. Let's look at the definition: First it can mean a mixture of various ingredients as in cooking, and secondly, something fabricated or devised. For example, a story that's hard to believe. Let's look at the origin of the word - CONCOCTION comes from the Latin kakera meaning to cook. The prefix CON means together, so boil together, prepare. However, from around the 18th century the meaning went beyond cooking. It began to take on the sense of cooking something up, meaning contriving or fabricating an explanation or story. Let's look at some examples - The picture shows a glass containing a bright green drink. The sentence example reads: Whatever is that concoction? Notes: the word whatever can be used instead of what, to emphasize something or express surprise. Here concoction refers to a drink with a bewildering or confusing combination of ingredients. That's definition 1, a mixture of various ingredients. The next picture shows a man in a busy street. His facial expression indicates he doubts the truthfulness of what he's being told. The sentence example reads: You don't honestly expect me to believe such a concocted explanation do you? Notes: Perhaps this man's friend was late meeting him and said it was because animals escaped from the zoo, and the traffic was held up. The look on his face says "I don't believe you". Definition: 45 00:02:16,630 --> 00:02:21,400 something fabricated or devised, for example, a story. The last picture shows a young woman in a crowd. Her hair is a turquoise color and she's wearing an orange and cream dress with bright red bows on her arms. The sentence example reads: This fashion concoction certainly made her stand out in the crowd. Notes: this girl wore a mixture of colors and clothing styles which focused attention on her. Definition 1: a mixture of various things. In conclusion, you can probably see that you need to use the word concoction with caution as it can often have a negative meaning. However, it's the perfect word to describe a mixture of many different elements, and a good word for discribing a story that's far-fetched and hard to believe. Did this video increase your knowledge? Share it now and add value to someone's day. Click the SHARE button below. This is David James helping you to speak English with confidence. As a quick reminder, be sure to sign up for my free online course. Go to http://goodenglish.online right now.