Hi this is to Tutor Nick P and this is Noun Phrase 89. The noun phrase today is
security blanket. Okay. Let's take a look at the note. We have two meanings today.
One is a literal security blanket. So let's look at the first one. A security
blanket is actually a baby's blanket or stuffed toy or if it's a stuffed toy or
something else usually something soft. We sometimes say that it's like a security
blanket to them. So even if it was a stuffed toy maybe they might hold it and
hug it they might even use it as a little pillow but it's something that
they need for comfort. So stuffed toy etc. that a baby or very young child gets
attached to using it as something that gives them comfort. So we say something
is ... that blanket is there security blanket or something is like a
security blanket to them. Okay. Let's look at the second one here. It can also be
used for anything that is thought to provide someone with reassurance. You
know, confidence or a feeling of safety. So we have that's the second meaning. So we have
two meanings for it. Okay. Let's look at several examples we have here. Example
number one, and this is probably how most people in the US remember a security
blanket. The character "Linus" in the "Peanuts" cartoons and comic strip. Yeah.
Probably you know, around the world you know, them more because you'll know Snoopy.
You'll know that dog Snoopy. Snoopy is not really the main character. Snoopy's
owner is the main character Charlie Brown. But Charlie Brown has a friend
Linus that always carried a blanket with him and that's the character we're
talking about. So Linus always needed his security blanket. So many people remember
it that way. Even when I was ... even myself when I was younger I, I knew a
girl that did the same thing. I knew a girl that literally carried around a
security blanket with her all time. And I've heard from some other people. It's
not the most common thing. Not most children don't do this. But they are... but
they are out there. If you talk enough people you'll find somebody
that may know somebody where the kid needed to carry a security blanket with
them. Okay. Let's go on. So yeah it should always carry around security blanket. All
right number two. When they accidentally threw away that child's security blanket.
they had to go to the garbage dump to find it because that child could not
calm down without the security blanket. So he wasn't ready to let it go yet.
That's what we mean by the security blanket. Okay. Let's look at number three.
That child carries around a stuffed toy like a security blanket. Yeah just like I
said they probably hug it a lot. Maybe they'll put it under their head and use it as
a pillow. And maybe they feel nervous if they got to put it down or leave it
somewhere. Okay, and number four. Some investors buy gold as a security blanket
because they fear a sudden economic meltdown you know, could come. So that's
that's kind of like a way to hedge or a back ... a back up for them. So something
like that could be used as a security blanket. Number five. She carries
around a can of Mace you know, the pepper spray, Mace. When she has to walk home
late at night from her job. Yeah. This could be somebody who works late. Lke
for example , somebody like a nurse. Sometimes they may get off in the middle
of the night or they may get off at midnight. They got to go home alone.
Sometimes they may have to go through dangerous neighborhoods. So it is her
security blanket in case she encounters any attackers. So the can of Mace could
be a security blanket for her. She doesn't feel safe unless she has that. If she's
got to walk home you know, in the middle of the night or very, very late at night
from work. Okay. Anyway, I hope you got it. I hope it's clear. Thank you for your time.
Bye-bye.