The history of swimming - 6 Minute English

Swimming has many health benefits and since ancient times has been used to promote strength and wellbeing. But swimming’s not just about exercise – there’s far more to it beneath the surface as we’ll be finding out in this programme on the history of swimming. Neil and Georgina talk about the topic and teach you related vocabulary along the way.

This week's question
Someone who did enjoy swimming was the poet, Lord Byron. He wrote poems popularising the sport and in 1810 swam the Hellespont, a stretch of water separating Europe from Asia. But in which modern country can the Hellespont be found?

a) Greece
b) Cyprus
c) Turkey

Listen to the programme to find out the answer.

Vocabulary
take a dip
go for a swim (informal)

swim against the tide
to not follow what everyone else is doing

immodest
shocking or embarrassing because it shows too much of the body

nude
not wearing any clothes, naked

play hooky
stay away from school without permission

frowned upon
disapproved of

To download the audio and a transcript, go to:

[Cover: Getty Images]

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Swimming is a good thing. It also helps to keep our health in a good way. I tried to learn how to swim. Now i can't swim. It was hard to do that. My father wanted to give me some lessons of it. I was nervous a little and i couldn't do anything. My brother can swim he went to some sport clubs to learn. Now he really can swim. It's good that u have something which you are good in. Thanks BBC

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