Whether they’re playing on our TV screens or printed in newspapers, adverts are everywhere.

In fact, according to US market research company Yankclovich, the average person living in a city sees thousands of ads every single day.

However, ads don’t just act as a tool for getting people to buy things; they also serve as a window into cultures, societies and history.

Modern adverts began to appear in the 18th and 19th centuries, since advances in printing techniques allowed more detailed images to be produced in newspapers and magazines.

Looking at some of these early ads is like taking a step back in time to another world.

For example, an 1881 advert for French cigarettes promised that its product would “give immediate relief” to a list of medical conditions, including breathing problems.

And a US ad from a 1955 newspaper advised mothers to mix the sugary soft drink A7 Up with their baby’s milk.

These days, of course, the harmful effects of both smoking and sugary drinks are well known.

But although these adverts seem unusual to us now, perhaps future generations may consider some of today’s ads to be just as bizarre.

“Advertising often serves as an indicator for what society considers to be socially acceptable and desirable at the time.” US marketing expert wrote on the Ad Council’s website.

In spite of being designed to sell or advertise something, some ads can even become part of a society’s vernacular (方言).

In the UK, for example, a slogan (标语)created in 1994 to advertise paint is used in everyday conversation by many Britons.

The phrase, “It does exactly what it says on the tin”, is used to describe an item or product that’s open, straight forward and simple.

Meanwhile, also in the UK, if someone describes themselves as a “Marmite person”, this means that you may either lose them or hate them, based on the British food Marmite’s slogan, “Love it or hate it.”

So, in spite of what we may think of them, it seems that ads are a bigger part of everyday life than we think they are.

Instead of finding them annoying, however, at least we can be assured that future generations will have an interesting way to see how we lived —— no matter how unusual today’s world may seem to them.

If English means endless new words, difficult grammar and sometimes strange pronunciation, you are wrong. Haven’t you noticed that you have become smarter since you started to learn a language? According to a new study by a British university, learning a second language can lead to an increase in your brain power. Researchers found that learning other languages changes grey matter. This is the area of the brain which processes information, It is similar to the way that exercise builds muscles.

Scans (扫描) showed that grey matter density (密度) in the brain was greater in bilinguals than in people without a second language.

“Our findings suggest that the structure of the brain is changed by the experience of learning a second language,” said the scientists. It means that the change itself increases the ability to learn.

Professor Dylan Vaughan Jones of the University of Wales, has researched the link between bilingualism and maths skills. “Having two languages gives you two windows on the world and makes the brain more flexible,” he said, “You are actually going beyond language and have a better understanding of different ideas.”

The findings were matched in a study of native Italian speakers who had learned English as a second language between the ages of two and thirty-four. Reading, writing, and comprehension were all tested, The results showed that the younger they started to learn, the better, “Studying a language means you get an entrance to another world, ”explained the scientists.

British humour has deep roots dating back to medieval times when jesters entertained royal courts with their witty antics. Over the centuries, it evolved from slapstick comedy to the satirical genius of writers like Jonathan Swift and Oscar Wilde. The British love for wordplay and absurdity found its voice in the works of Lewis Carroll and Edward Lear.

British humour is as diverse as a pub menu, but certain characteristics underpin its charm. The British have a habit for self-mockery, and the ability to laugh at oneself is a hallmark of British wit. Sarcasm and irony are close friends, and understatement often delivers the funniest punchlines.

Puns, wordplay and the absurd are common tools in the humour arsenal. Whether it's making fun at the weather or revelling in the delights of innuendo, English humour is all about embracing the sudden twists and oddities of life.

English humour boasts a rich tradition of comedic brilliance, and one of its shining stars is PG Wodehouse. Within the literary realm, Wodehouse’s work, particularly the misadventures of Bertie Wooster and his unflappable valet Jeeves, showcases a brand of humour that has delighted readers for generations.

Visiting Britain? Prepare to be pleasantly confused. English humour can be disarming, especially if you are not used to the art of sarcasm and the subtlety of understatement. But it is all in good fun. Engage in friendly conversations with locals, try your hand at some humour and don't be afraid to enjoy a healthy dose of irony. You might just find yourself laughing over a pint with newfound friends.