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Break The Ice Research Paper

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Break The Ice Research Paper
The first time I heard the phrase break the ice was in elementary school. On the first day of school, my math teacher asked the class to do an activity to break the ice. I looked at her disbelief, “What? Why are we breaking ice in a math class?” I took what was supposed to be a figurative expression literally. My math teacher explained that breaking ice was just a figure of speech to make the class feel more comfortable with everyone. Although she never explained why it means like that today, or where it originated. I came to the conclusion that the breaking the ice was metaphorically breaking the social barrier. I often wonder how the literal expressions change meaning in different time periods or cultures. The phrase break the ice originated …show more content…
The icebreakers move, and navigate through ice-covered waters, and were designed to explore the polar regions to become familiarize with new areas. They break the ice easily allowing them to pass through the ice-covered water swiftly. Soon after the icebreaker ships were introduced, its figurative meaning of breaking up social awkwardness became popular. It is used as a game to get people to feel comfortable to talk in meetings, school, or at any awkward situations. It is often use for people who may not know each other, or who don't usually work together. The phrase is commonly use in a funny pick-up line to meet strangers. The guy who wants to talk to a woman he doesn't know, but he's nervous, and doesn't know how to approach her. To break the social barrier, he asks her, “How much does a polar bear weigh?” Of course no one knows how much a polar bear weighs, so she replies, “How much?” The guy answers, “Enough to break the ice!” The next time your teacher, or professor asks you to break the ice, don't take it literally. It just means they want you to connect with other students you don't know, and be comfortable. Ice breakers are simple ways to make introductions, and break down the social barriers between people. It develops mutual relationship between two people that forge a path for others to follow, and move

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