Our nephew was getting married to a doctor’s daughter. At the wedding reception, the father of the bride stood to read his toast, which he had scribbled on a piece of scrap paper.

Several times during his speech, he halted, overcome with what I assumed was a moment of deep emotion.

But after a particularly long pause, he explained, “I’m sorry. I can’t seem to make out what I’ve written down.” Looking out into the audience, he asked, “Is there a pharmacist in the house?”

Vocabulary Help

  • bride – noiva
  • daughter – filha
  • deep emotion – emoção profunda
  • get married – casar
  • halt – parar
  • Is there a pharmacist in the house? – Tem algum farmacêutico aqui?
  • make out – entender, distinguir
  • nephew – sobrinho
  • overcome – tomado (por uma emoção)
  • read his toast – ler o brinde, brindar
  • scrap paper – pedaço de papel
  • scribble – rabiscar
  • speech – discurso
  • wedding reception – festa de casamento