Now, the VOA Learning English program Words and Their Stories.

On today's show about English words and expressions, we are going to talk about bread.

Now, most countries around the world have some sort of bread in their food culture.

In Spain, this woman offers bread to people taking part in a ceremoney called ''Bread Procession of the Saint."

No matter what shape or flavor it has, bread sustains people. It not only helps them to survive but also to feel satisfied and comfortable.

Maybe that is how the word "bread" got its slang meaning. You see, "bread" -- and the raw form "dough" – both can mean "money."

In the song "I Get Around," the Beach Boys sing about "making real good bread" to attract women. And they do not mean a baguette!

I get around, From town to town,I'm a real cool head,I'm makin' real good bread ...

If you make a lot of "bread" at a job, your employer is paying you well. On the other hand, if you are out of bread, you do not have any way to pay for your expenses. You are broke!

Using bread and dough this way may sound a little outdated. But you will hear it used that way. So, it's good to know. And bread meaning money is used in several English expressions.

Take for example, this very current, common and useful expression -- breadwinner.

Even though "bread" here means "money," the word breadwinner does not mean someone who has won money in a competition.

A "breadwinner" is a person who makes money for others. They are the ones who pay the bills in a family. They support or provide for dependents. So, we can also call a breadwinner a "provider."

Let's hear it used in this example.

In your language, does "bread" also mean money? Are the breadwinner in your family? Let us know in the Comments Section!

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Words in This Story

flavor – n. the quality of something that you can taste

sustain – v. to provide what is needed for something or someone to exist, continue, etc.

slang – n. words that are not considered part of the standard vocabulary of a language and that are used very informally in speech especially by a particular group of people

raw – adj. not cooked

dough – n. a mixture of flour, water, and other ingredients that is baked to make bread, cookies, etc.

broke – adj. not having any money

outdated – adj. no longer current

sole – adj. to be the only one

livelihood – n. a way of earning money in order to live