Icebreaker

Wang Fei: Hello and welcome to The English We Speak. I'mWang Fei.

Rob: And I'm Rob Carter.

Wang Fei: Rob, I'm going on a hot date tomorrow and I'm feeling a bit nervous now. I

think I need your help.

Rob: Hmm. It is a scary thing to do. What you need is some kind of icebreaker.

Wang Fei: An icebreaker? That sounds quite cold!

Rob: Don't worry, it's not. But an icebreaker has got something to do with warming

up a cold situation. It will make things more relaxed.

Wang Fei: An icebreaker is something you can do or some words you can say to make

people feel relaxed. So an icebreaker will make things less formal?

Rob: Yes, that's right. Doing something or saying something at the start will

hopefully make your date more relaxed and less tense.

Wang Fei: I see. An icebreaker will make people feel more relaxed. Maybe I should sing

a song or do a dance?!

Rob: Now that's a bit over the top – why not start with a joke?

Wang Fei: If singing or dancing is a bit over the top, or too much, I will think of a joke

then.

Examples

A: Telling a joke is an excellent icebreaker.

B: That party needed an icebreaker to make it less formal!

Wang Fei: So just now we heard people using icebreaker in their conversation. Rob,

does icebreaker literally mean breaking the ice?

Rob: It does. You can do it when you start a new job. Everything feels so formal

that it's good to break the ice. We British can be a bit reserved or formal so

it's good if someone can break the ice.

Wang Fei: Yes, I agree. Sometimes British people can be quite reserved and formal. Rob

I'm not good at jokes. Do you have any I can use?

Rob: Let's have a think. How about telling this one? "With my last girlfriend it was

love at first sight – then I took a second look!"

Wang Fei: It's a good joke. But honestly, did it work for you?

Rob: Um... It didn't actually. But it might be good for you!

Wang Fei: Hmm… Actually I think I would rather find a good story on our website as an

icebreaker.

Rob: Yes. Don't forget our website is a good place to learn some English phrases

that might help you break the ice at a party.

Wang Fei: And our website is…

Rob: www.bbclearningenglish.com. Bye bye.

Wang Fei: Bye!

Good Egg

Rob: Hello and welcome to The English We Speak. I'm Rob Carter.

Wang Fei: And I'm Wang Fei. Did you enjoy the party at the weekend, Rob?

Rob: Of course! And it was good of William to buy all that food and drink – he's a

good egg!

Wang Fei: A good egg?

Rob: Yes, he's someone who is good to other people and he's generous too!

Wang Fei: So you're telling me William is a good egg because he's a generous person

and he put on a good party?

Rob: Well not just that. He's reliable too – he always does what he says he will do

– like helping me with the decorating.

Wang Fei: So a good egg is really a nice person to know then?

Rob: Yes, a good egg is an all round good guy.

Wang Fei: A good guy. Are we really talking about William?!

Rob: We are.

Examples

A: Thanks for buying me lunch, you really are a good egg!

B: I think we can trust her, she really is a good egg.

Rob: So these examples of using good egg mean someone is a reliable, trustworthy

and generous person.

Wang Fei: It's a very British term isn't it?

Rob: It is, which is why I tend to say it in a posh voice – good egg. Of course, the

opposite of a good egg is a bad egg. Let's hear how this term is used…

Examples

A: He's a bad egg. I can't rely on him to do anything!

B: How can I trust you to be on time? You're such a bad egg!

Rob: So in these examples bad egg is used to describe someone who is not reliable

and untrustworthy.

Wang Fei: Actually Rob, I meant to tell you - I bought all the food and drink for

William's party. He had forgotten to get any.

Rob: Really? Did he have egg on his face?

Wang Fei: Excuse me?

Rob: If you have egg on your face it means you're extremely embarrassed by your

actions.

Wang Fei: Oh I see! William certainly had egg on his face but we still had a good party.

Rob: Of course we did!

Wang Fei: Well don't forget to check our website.

Rob: That's www.bbclearningenglish.com for lots more useful English words and

phrases.

Both: Bye bye.

Tastic

Finn: Welcome to the slang-tastic programme, The English We Speak.

Wang Fei: Hello I'm Wang Fei.

Finn: This is our word-tastic programme where you learn the latest English-tastic

phrases.

Wang Fei: Yes… erm…

Finn: We hope you have a learning-tastic time with us today…

Wang Fei: Finn, sorry for interrupting you, but why do you keep adding 'tastic' to all

these words?

Finn: SorryWang Fei, I should have said. Tastic is our new word, or should I say,

new suffix, for the day.

Wang Fei: A suffix is something you add onto the end of another word to change the

meaning.

Finn: That's right.

Wang Fei: So when we add tastic, what does that mean?

Finn: Well, it's kind of related to the word fantastic. When you add tastic to a word,

for example slang, it means 'fantastic in terms of slang'. So English-tastic

means 'fantastic in terms of English'.

Wang Fei: And learning-tastic means fantastic in terms of learning?

Finn: It does, absolutely. Let's hear a couple more examples.

Examples

A: Did you hear Britney's new song?

B: Yes. It's pop-tastic! I love it.

A: Did you have a good time yesterday?

B: It was so much fun. Fun-tastic! Ha ha.

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Wang Fei: Wow, very good examples. So can I say example-tastic?

Finn: Example-tastic, you can! Now, this way of making new words is very

informal – it comes from pop culture – so you probably wouldn't see it in a

business letter.

Wang Fei: So, it's not business-tastic?!

Finn: It's not business-tastic. Not really, unless you work in an industry like fashion

or pop music. Anyway, I think it's time to tell our listeners about our website.

Wang Fei: Yes, and our web-tastic site is www.bbclearningenglish.com! You can learn

English for free, and even download programmes to your mp3 player.

Finn: Yes, it's download-tastic! Time to go, now. Bye!

Wang Fei: Bye!

Rabbit in the Headlights

Finn: Hello. I'm Finn.

Li: And I'm Li.

Finn: And we're whispering – we're talking very quietly - because we are about to

watch an awards ceremony for the best dancer in the UK.

Li: Yes – I think it's going to begin now. Shh.

Insert

Awards Host: And the award for best dancer this year goes to… Timmy Tapper!

(Applause)

Timmy Tapper: Erm, thank you!

Awards Host: Timmy, would you like to say a few words?

Timmy Tapper: Yes, erm, thank you… to… everybody! Thanks.

Awards Host: Great. Well thank you Timmy. You've done a fantastic job this year!

Finn: (whispers) Li, what happened? He was like a rabbit in the headlights.

Li: I don't know, he was very nervous. But what did you say, Finn, about rabbits?

Finn: Oh, rabbits, yes. A rabbit in the headlights. It's a phrase used to describe

someone who is so nervous that they can't move or speak.

Li: I see. Someone who is too nervous to move or speak. But why does it involve

headlights – the lights at the front of a car?

Finn: Well if you think about if you are driving a car at night and you have your

headlights on. Suddenly, a rabbit appears in the middle of the road. But it is

too scared by the car driving towards for it to run away. It's a rabbit in the

headlights.

Li: That's a rabbit in the headlights. Oh, Finn, I think Timmy Tapper wants to say

something.

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Finn: Oh yes.

Insert

Timmy Tapper: Oh, sorry. Can I just say one more thing?

Awards Host: Sure, go ahead, Timmy!

(Timmy starts tap dancing)

Awards Host: Well, isn't that amazing!

Li: Ha ha. I think Timmy was nervous speaking in front of everyone here just

now, but now he's happy to express himself through tap dancing!

Finn: He looks very happy doesn't he? And while Timmy dances, I have some

advice for everyone. If you want to speak confident English, and not be like a

rabbit in the headlights, why not visit our website explore our free English

learning materials?

Li: bbclearningenglish.com

Finn: That's it. Bye.

Li: Bye.

(Timmy tap dancing)

Loved Up

Finn: Welcome to The English We Speak. I'm Finn.

Li: (Very happy) And I'm Yang Li…

Finn: How are you today, Li?

Li: (Dreamy, romantic voice) Oh fantastic. Just great. Amazing…

Finn: Really? Great… ok. Are you ready to start the programme?

Li: (Dreamy, romantic voice) Any time… Isn't life wonderful?

Finn: Are you sure you're alright?

Li: Perfect. He's lovely, isn't he? He's perfect!

Finn: Oh, I see! You're talking about your new boyfriend. You're so loved up right

now, Li!

Li: But he has the most beautiful eyes and smile. And when he dances…

Finn: Li! (To audience) Well, I think Li is completely loved up - which is our

phrase for the day. Loved up. When you're loved up, it means you are really

happy because you're in love.

Li: He dances like a dream, especially salsa…

Finn: You know, I think I'm going to have to present the rest of this programme on

my own. As you can see, when you're loved up, sometimes you don't pay a

lot of attention to things around you.

Insert

She's so loved up at the moment. She even forgets to eat lunch.

Finn: It can also be used to describe a couple who are very much in love, and who

openly show their affection in public.

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Insert

They're always together; holding hands, laughing. They seem so happy. They're really loved

up!

Finn: Li, Li… Li, how long have you been in love? Hello?!

Li: Ooh, I'm going salsa dancing tonight with him and I can't wait. Oh, he's so

gorgeous. Don't you think, Finn?

Finn: Yes, sure, he's so gorgeous. Anyway, I'm getting a bit lonely here. Maybe I

should take up salsa dancing too? Ok, bye for now everyone! Li, time to say

goodbye.

Li: Oh yeah, goodbye, bye, bye!

Green

Green

Wang Fei: Welcome to The English We Speak. I'm Wang Fei!

Finn: And I'm Finn!

Wang Fei: Finn has decided to take us out for a ride on his new motorbike today and

he's very proud of it.

Finn: I am, very proud of it. I thought it would be good to get out of the studio.

Look at all the beautiful, green fields around us, Wang Fei.

Wang Fei: Yes, beautiful green fields. That's the word for the day isn't it: green?

Finn: Green, yes!

Wang Fei: A bit easy, isn't it? Everyone knows the colour green!

Finn: The colour green? No, not that meaning, Wang Fei!

Wang Fei: So, what do you mean? Green as in good for the environment?

Finn: No, not that green either!

Wang Fei: Oh, ok, maybe another green? Oh ok, maybe, green with envy? I know

that phrase, that means to envy somebody, doesn't it?

Finn: Yes, that's right. But what are you envious about, Wang Fei? That's not

what we're… oh! ... ahhh!

FX - CRASH

Both: Ow!

Wang Fei: Finn, you are a terrible, terrible driver!

Finn: I know.

Wang Fei: Will you tell me what this green means?!

Finn: I'm sorry Wang Fei. What I mean is I'm very green at riding motorbikes,

that's what I wanted to say. Green means inexperienced or new to

something.

Wang Fei: Oh, I see. So when do we use it?

Finn: Well, normally we use it to describe someone who is new to a particular

job or skill.

Wang Fei: Ooh, I see. But I'm not feeling good. So why don't we listen to some

examples for a moment?

Examples

I'm a bit green at video editing, so it takes me a long time to edit things.

He's a bit green in this job so he's bound to need some help.

My uncle's very green at searching the internet. He prefers to go to the library.

Finn: Ok, time to go again, Wang Fei!

Wang Fei: (To himself) Hmm. But I'm still not feeling that great to be honest…

FX - BIKE STARTS

Finn: What was that, Wang Fei?

Wang Fei: Oh nothing. Let's go.

Finn: Wow, what beautiful countryside…

Wang Fei: Gosh, I'm really feeling ill to be honest. I'm worried we're going to crash

again.

Finn: Wang Fei, what did you say? Are you ok?

Wang Fei: Not really.

Finn: Oh no, you look bad. You've gone green!

Wang Fei: What?

Finn: You've gone green – it means you look ill!

Wang Fei: Another green phrase… Finn – can't you just concentrate on your driving!

Finn: Ok, sorry. OK then! Bye everyone…

Wang Fei: And wish me luck. Bye.

Wee

Finn: Welcome to The English We Speak, I'm Finn.

Wang Fei: And I'm Wang Fei. So, what English word do we have today?

Finn: Well, Wang Fei, today's English word is actually a Scottish one!

Wang Fei: A Scottish phrase on The English We Speak?

Finn: That’s right.

Wang Fei: Finn, I know you're from Scotland, but this is The English We Speak, not

the Scottish!

Finn: Not the Scottish I know, but actually, Wang Fei, this is a word that is very

widely used.

Wang Fei: Ok, what's the word, then?

Finn: Today's word is wee.

Wang Fei: Wii – oh, I know! Isn't that a kind of Japanese game console? Surely

that's The Japanese We Speak?!

Finn: No, not that Wii! That Wii is spelt W-I-I, and the word I mean is spelt WE-

E. And it means… small or little.

Wang Fei: Ok – so that's very nice and easy to remember!

Finn: It is. Quite often, you'll hear it together with the word 'bit'. A wee bit.

Listen to these examples.

Examples

I might be a wee bit late, please just wait for me.

You're looking a wee bit tired, are you ok?

I'm a wee bit hungry, fancy getting a sandwich?

Wang Fei: So a wee bit is just like a little bit. How else can we use this word, Finn?

Finn: Well a wee bit is probably what you'll hear most often. What do you think

it means in this sentence?

Example

When I was wee, I used to eat to love climbing trees!

Wang Fei: When I was wee… is that when I was young?

Finn: That's right – when I was young, when I was wee - though you'll more

likely hear Scottish people say this! And there is another phrase using

wee which I'm going to tell you in a moment, but first – tell me, what is

the most famous Scottish drink, Wang Fei?

Wang Fei: That’s easy – whisky!

Finn: Whisky – yes it is! Do you like whisky?

Wang Fei: Oh, yes, but it’s a bit strong, isn’t it! Maybe I would just have a small

glass.

Finn: Well, we have a word for a glass of whisky, which is a dram.

Wang Fei: A dram.

Finn: That’s right, D-R-A-M, a dram.

Wang Fei: Mm, a dram.

Finn: So if you want a small dram, what do you say?

Wang Fei: Can I have a wee dram?

Finn: Can I have a wee dram – that’s it! Really? Would you like a wee dram,

Wang Fei?

Wang Fei: OK, great, yeah!

Finn: We're in the studio!

Wang Fei: Yes, maybe later!

Finn: Maybe later!

Wang Fei: Well, that's the word for today, wee, W-E-E.

Finn: If you have time, why not have a wee look at our website!

Wang Fei: Mm – and it’s bbclearningenglish.com!

Finn: That’s right, bye for now!

Wang Fei: Bye.

Awesome

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William: Hello, and welcome to the English We Speak, I'm William.

Yang Li: And I'm Yang Li…

William: And your task, Yang Li, is to guess today's word, ok?

Yang Li: OK.

William: Awesome. Li, try some of this cake…

Yang Li: A cake? Oh, thanks! That's very nice…

William: Do you like it? Awesome. They're pretty awesome cakes, huh?!

Yang Li: Yes, and I think I know what this week's word is. It's…

William: Hang on Li, try some of this coffee as well – it's really…

Yang Li: Awesome?

William: Exactly - it's really awesome. You got it. So listen to this. Which three

adjectives are used in this clip?

Example

This party is awesome. The food is amazing. The wine is excellent.

Yang Li: Awesome, amazing and excellent.

William: That's right. Awesome means excellent or amazing.

Yang Li: Awesome. This word has existed in English for a long time, hasn't it?

William: Yes, and it used to mean awe-inspiring. So awe means great respect or

admiration, so something that’s awesome or awe-inspiring makes you feel

great respect and admiration.

Yang Li: Full of respect and admiration. But now it just means cool?

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William: Exactly, and that’s thanks to the influence of American slang. So the word

can now be used to describe almost anything.

Examples

These shoes are awesome.

This is an awesome radio programme.

Wow! You are awesome at singing, mate!

William: And there is one slightly different usage of this word. Listen to this.

Example

A: Are you free to come for hotpot tonight?

B: Yes, I should be.

A: Awesome. That makes four of us!

William: So what does awesome mean in that clip, Li?

Yang Li: It's like when we say 'great' at the beginning of a sentence.

William: Well, that's it, yeah, exactly. Awesome can also be used at the beginning of a

sentence to indicate agreement or approval.

Yang Li: Awesome! That's clear now.

William: Awesome. And that's the end of this awesome programme.

Yang Li: William, do you have any cakes left?

William: Er, just one. Do you want to share it, Li?

Yang Li: Awesome. Bye.

William: Bye.

Anorak

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Train noise

William: Oh, there goes another train!

Wang Fei: What do you mean, another train? It was a D5900 Class diesel-electric

locomotive, the last one in operation.

William: Erm, ok.

Wang Fei: And due to arrive at 1203 is the Class 170 "Turbostar" British dieselmultiple-

unit train from Edinburgh.

William: Great.

Wang Fei: You don't sound very interested.

William: I'm not. You do realise that you are a complete anorak when it comes to

trains, Wang Fei.

Train noise

Wang Fei: An anorak? That's a kind of coat! Yes, I'm wearing an anorak, but I'm not a

kind of coat, William, I'm Wang Fei.

William: Yes, well the word anorak is used to describe people who have an obsessive

hobby about something that not many people are interested in.

Wang Fei: I see. You mean a hobby like train spotting?! But I thought everyone liked it?

William: What's so interesting about standing in the cold, waiting for rare types of train

to arrive? The only trains I'm interested in are the ones which get me from A

to B.

Examples

He is a total anorak. He always stays in and watches Star Trek.

My friend is a bit of an anorak when it comes to dance music. He knows every DJ and every

track, when they were published, how high they got in the charts. I prefer just to dance to it!

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Wang Fei: So you really don't like trains?

William: Oh, I don't mind them, Wang Fei, I just don't find them that interesting. And

it's so cold in this country that you need to wear that huge anorak while you

wait for them, which is where the phrase came from.

Wang Fei: You mean people like me, waiting for trains in my big anorak?

William: Yes, exactly - that's it.

Wang Fei: So if this phrase exists, it must mean there are lots of other people like me?

William: Well, you don't see many. Maybe you could try a train spotting website.

Wang Fei: Hang on. Is that…I think there's someone at the end of the platform in a long

coat, with a clipboard… looks like he's waiting for a train!

William: Oh, well, go and say hello, then.

Footsteps

Wang Fei: Hello, are you waiting for…

Anorak: The Class 170 "Turbostar"…

Wang Fei: British diesel-multiple-unit …

Anorak: From Edinburgh, due to arrive at 1203? Yes! And your name is?

Train noise

William: Well, I don't know. Whatever makes you happy! Bye from me.

Savvy

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William: Hello and welcome to the English We Speak, I'm William Kremer.

Wang Fei: And I'm Wang Fei. William I hope we finish recording quickly today.

William: Oh, why's that?

Wang Fei: I need to get to the bank before it closes.

William: Oh I see.

Wang Fei: Yes, just need to move some money around. I've got to move some money

into a high interest account and transfer some into my investment account…

William: Look at you Wang Fei. High-interest accounts and investment accounts. You

really are quite money-savvy aren't you?

Wang Fei: Money what?

William: Money-savvy.

Wang Fei: Money-savvy?

William: Yeah. It means you're good with money. You know what you're doing with it,

how to invest it, that kind of thing.

Wang Fei: Well, I guess I am. I do look after my money.

William: I wish I was a bit more money-savvy like you! But I am quite good with

technology. You know, you wouldn't need to rush to the bank if you tried

online banking.

Wang Fei: Online banking? Not for me. I just don't really trust it.

William: Maybe you should try it.

Wang Fei: No, I just don't feel safe doing that. I'm not very… can I say…

technologically savvy?

William: Yes, you can say technologically savvy or just tech-savvy. Or you might say

that you're not very web-savvy, as we're talking about the web, the internet.

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Insert

I wouldn't recommend you go down that street after dark. It's just not safe. And you're not

very street-savvy to be honest with you.

A: So what do you think of the new flower shop?

B: It's in a good location, and the owner is really business-savvy. I'm sure it'll be a great

success.

Wang Fei: Money-savvy, tech-savvy…

William: And business-savvy. You can be savvy about a lot of things. So are you going

to go to the bank in the end?

Wang Fei: No I think I'll sign up for an online account. Give it a go.

William: And I might buy those stocks you were suggesting.

Wang Fei: Great. And let's hope all our listeners are a bit more slang-savvy after this

programme.

William: Bye for now.

Wang Fei: Bye.

Sick

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William: Hello and welcome to the English We Speak, I'm William Kremer.

Yang Li: And I'm Yang Li.

William: Li, are you wearing make-up?

Yang Li: Yes, do you like it? It's not too much?

William: I think you look sick.

Yang Li: What?

William: Sick!

Yang Li: But I feel fine. I'm perfectly healthy.

William: No, you don't look ill Li, you look sick!

Yang Li: Sorry I just don't get it. I'm not ill!

William: Sorry Li, I should explain. It's our expression for the day. Lots of young

people in the UK use the word sick to mean cool or great.

Yang Li: English can be weird can't it? Sick means cool?

William: Yes, it is a bit odd. I know one teacher who was confused by this word when

his student used it in a class.

Yang Li: Really? What did they say?

William: Something like this:

Insert

Student: Mr Griffiths!

Teacher: Yes?

Student: Sir, are you wearing new shoes?

Teacher: Yes, I am. Why?

Student: Because they are sick!

Teacher: Sick?

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Student: Totally sick, sir.

Teacher: Well, young man. As you find them so terrible, how about you give me 100 lines

saying… saying…

Student: No, no, I like them! Sick means cool!

Teacher: First I've heard of it.

Yang Li: Lines. Lines are a form of punishment which teachers used to give students –

copying out the same sentence again and again. You never had to write lines,

did you William?

William: Erm... Maybe I won't go into that here!

Yang Li: So anyway, what do I say if I really am sick?

William: I'm feeling sick. Or I'm feeling ill.

Yang Li: So we can work it out from the context.

William: Exactly, that's it. Anyway, like I was saying I love the make-up Li. But

maybe next time don't wear green eye-shadow.

Yang Li: Why?

William: It makes you look, erm sick.

Yang Li: Oh, I give up. Bye.

William: Bye.

Swizz

William: Hello and welcome to The English We Speak. I'm William.

Yang Li: And I'm Yang Li.

William: You look very pleased today Li.

Yang Li: Well, I should be. I've just won a prize!

William: Wow, great! What did you win?

Yang Li: I don't know yet. I ate this bar of chocolate and it told me to phone a number

to find out my prize.

William: Oh wow, cool. Let's call them.

Yang Li: OK.

Welcome to the Choccy Choc Chocolate prize hotline. Please hold to find what amazing prize

you've won.

Yang Li: Wow, this is exciting!

Welcome to the Choccy Choc Chocolate prize hotline. Please hold to find what amazing prize

you've won.

William: Hmmm.

Welcome to the Choccy Choc Chocolate prize hotline. Please hold to find what amazing prize

you've won.

Yang Li: It can't be long now...

William: Li, can I see that chocolate wrapper?

Yang Li: OK. What does it say?

William: It says "Calls to this line are charged at £20 a minute"!

Yang Li: What?! No way! Well, shall we hang up?

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William: I should think so! What a swizz.

Hangs up

Yang Li: A swizz?

William: Yes, a swizz. A swizz is a scheme that tricks people to make money. Like this

company is making you call an expensive phone line – it's a swizz.

Yang Li: I see.

William: We might say "What a swizz", or "That's a bit of a swizz".

Yang Li: So, how do we spell this word, swizz?

William: Well you know, I'm not too sure. I've seen it spelled S.W.I.Z.Z. but I've also

seen S.W.I.Z.

Yang Li: You mean you don't know how to spell it? But this is BBC Learning English!

We should know how to spell it. What a swizz!

William: Ha ha. Yeah, I'm sorry! But that's just the way English is sometimes, it's

always changing! At least you know -

Phone rings

Yang Li: Oh! Hello?

Choc Person: Hello is that Yang Li?

Yang Li: Yes.

Choc Person: We have a missed call from you. Just ringing to say you've won a prize!

Yang Li: Wow, what is it?

Choc Person: You need to ring this number to find out. 0800 23 4…

Yang Li: Ha! What a swizz. Bye.

William: Bye.

Two ticks

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William: Hello and welcome to The English We Speak, I'm William Kremer.

Wang Fei: And I'm Wang Fei. So how are you today?

William: Two ticks…

Wang Fei: What?

William: Give me two shakes, Wang Fei, I just need to…

Wang Fei: Eh? What's that?

William: I'll be with you in a jiffy…

Wang Fei: In a jiffy. What's a jiffy? William, what are you talking about?

William: There, done now. I just needed to send a text.

Wang Fei: But what were all those ticks and jiffys?

William: Ahh, and shakes?

Wang Fei: Yes.

William: Well they're all expressions of time, Wang Fei. So they're ways of saying 'just

a moment', or 'just a minute'.

Wang Fei: I see.

Example

A: Can you come and help me lift this sofa?

B: Yeah, I'll be with you in two ticks.

William: Two ticks. In English, we say clocks make this noise: tick tock, tick tock. So

two ticks is just like saying two seconds.

Example

A: I said, can you come and help me here? It's too heavy for me.

B: Yes, yes. I'll be there in two shakes.

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Wang Fei: Hmm. Two shakes?

William: Yeah, the full phrase here is 'two shakes of a lamb's tail', but we shorten this

to 'two shakes'.

Wang Fei: Oh I see. Two shakes of a lamb's tail.. English can be a very weird language!

William: Yes, it can be! I guess that this is because lambs' tails shake very fast, so two

shakes is a short time! And finally...

Example

A: Look Neil, this sofa isn't going to lift itself. Get a move on!

B: I know, I know. I said I'll be with you in a jiffy.

Wang Fei: In a jiffy. So in a jiffy also means 'in a short space of time'. But what's a jiffy?

William: Well, you know what, Wang Fei? Nobody is completely sure of the origin of

this word. But it has been in use for over 200 years!

Wang Fei: 200 years! That's quite a long time. More than a jiffy!

William: Yes, and that's several billion shakes of a lamb's tail.

Wang Fei: Yes and all those ticks of a clock! Bye for now.

William: Bye bye.

Example

A: Are you going to help me with sofa or not?!

B: What sofa? You need help with a sofa

Touchy-feely

Li: Hello and welcome to The English We Speak. I'm Yang Li.

William: (subdued) I'm William Kremer.

Li: (bright) So, what English are we speaking today, William?

William: (sigh) I don't know.

Li: Oh what a big sigh! What's wrong?

William: Oh, it doesn't matter.

Li: Oh, come on! I can see something's not right. What's wrong?

William: (sigh) It's... well, if you must know, it's Tigger... he's died.

Li: Tigger? Who's Tigger?

William: Tigger... Tigger is... Tigger was my beautiful cat. He was my best friend. I

suppose you could say that. I'm going to miss his stripey face in the morning.

And his purr, yeah, I'm going to miss that. But, you know, these things

happen. I shouldn't get so upset...

Li: Why not? I think it's normal to be very sad when a pet dies.

William: No, no, it's silly! I'm getting upset over an animal! I'm not a baby! I should

grow up.

Li: But you might find it helpful to talk about your feelings for Tigger.

William: No, no, no, no! I hate all of that touchy-feely stuff!

Li: Touchy-feely?

William: Yeah, if something is touchy-feely it's very emotional. If you are a touchyfeely

person you don't mind talking about your feelings and maybe actually

hugging people.

Li: I see. So is this a negative phrase, touchy-feely?

William: Yeah, a little bit. Let's hear a couple of examples of it in use:

Man: Do you know, I never once saw my mum and dad kiss or hug.

Man 2: Really? Gosh, that seems incredible.

Man: But I think they really loved each other. They just weren't all touchy-feely

about it.

Woman: Did you go to that drama group?

Woman 2: Yeah. I don't think I'll go again.

Woman: Oh? Why not?

Woman 2: Well, the acting was fine. But it's all that touchy-feely stuff they do that I don't

like.

Li: Look, you English people! You just can't talk about your feelings, can you?

William: Well, you might be right Li – we're not famous for talking about our feelings.

Now, before we finish, I have heard this phrase touchy-feely being used in a

very different way too. Listen to this:

Woman: I love your sweater!

Man: Thanks.

Woman: It's so soft! I love this material. It's so touchy-feely!

Man: OK. Shall I take it off and then you can touch it properly?!

Li: So in that example, 'touchy-feely' was being used to describe a kind of

material.

William: Yes. If something is touchy-feely it is very soft. You want to stroke it, just

like Tigger. I'm going to miss stroking Tigger.

William: The way he used to purr... And sometimes he would bring me a little present,

you know. A dead mouse or maybe a little bird. So thoughtful.

Li: Hmm. It's OK to cry you know, William...

William: (recovering himself) No! No it's not. No touchy-feely stuff!

Li: Oh I give up. Goodbye everyone.

William: Bye!

The Big Day

William: Hello and welcome to The English We Speak, I’m William Kremer.

Li: I’m Yang Li and I’m excited!

William: So I see! Do you want to share with everybody what you’re so excited about,

Li?

Li: Oh come on Will, you know why I’m excited.

William: I’m not sure I do know why you're excited.

Li: Well, here’s a little clue…

Crowds of cheering people

William: Lots of cheering people. Hmm, is that one of those 75% off sales on Oxford

Street?

Li: No, no! Listen, here’s another clue…

‘Here comes the bride’ organ music…

William: Durr-du-duh duh! Hmm, organ music. Are you going to an organ concert, Li?

I didn’t know you were interested in that.

Li: OK, I’m just going to tell you. This Friday is Prince William and Catherine

Middleton’s big day, their wedding day.

William: Ah, I knew that. I was joking.

Li: Of course you were joking William. We’ve made lots of programmes about it

haven’t we!

William: Yes, we have. But Li, I think we’d better explain the meaning of ‘the big

day’. Here ‘the big day’ means their wedding day. But does ‘the big day’

always refer to weddings? Listen to these examples:

A: Guess what?

B: What?

A: Marie and Phil are engaged!

B: You’re kidding – wow, that’s fantastic news!

A: I know!

B: So when’s the big day? Have they set a date yet?

C: I don’t think Charlie and I will ever get married.

D: Oh. Why’s that?

C: Because of my mum and dad being divorced. I just know that at the wedding

they’ll end up having a massive argument; they can’t help it.

D: Oh, surely that won’t happen. They would never ruin your big day.

Li: So in both those examples, the phrase ‘big day’ was used to describe a

wedding.

William: Yes, it was. And I think this is how this phrase is usually used, exactly in the

way that you used it, Li. People talk about a couple’s big day but I’ve also

heard people say ‘her big day’ to describe the bride’s wedding day in

particular. It’s probably used a little bit less for men.

Li: Hmm, but do you, William, still remember your big day?

William: I do. But I don’t need to remember it now!

Li: What do you mean?

William: Well, I always forget it on the day that I should remember it.

Li: Oh dear, on your anniversary. What a bad husband you are! You might be

called William, but I think Prince William is much more romantic than you

are!

William: Well, we’ll see won't we! Now, on our website you’ll find lots of other

learning English resources relating to the royal wedding, including a photo

gallery and a special blog.

Li: Not to mention my series, ‘A royal wedding, an everyday love story’.

William: Oh yes, don’t miss that!

Li: Bye!

William: Bye bye.

‘Here comes the bride’ organ music fading out…

-gate

William: Hello, I'm William Kremer and this is The English We Speak.

Wang Fei: Hi there. I'm Wang Fei.

William: So, Wang Fei, today is 3 May.

Wang Fei: Yes.

William: Do you know what 3 May is?

Wang Fei: Hmm… a Tuesday?

William: Yes, it's a Tuesday, but it's not just any Tuesday. Today is World Press

Freedom Day. This is the day that the United Nations has chosen to highlight

the importance of a free press around the world.

Wang Fei: A free press. So, newspapers that are free to write anything they think the

public need to know and TV news that can report anything?

William: Yes they can report anything, including things that look bad for the

government! Scandals.

Wang Fei: A scandal, so something very bad that damages someone's reputation.

William: Exactly. And one of the most famous scandals from American history is the

Watergate scandal of the early 1970s.

Wang Fei: Watergate… that was why President Nixon had to resign wasn't it?

William: Exactly, yes, because he was shown to have lied to the American people and

basically obstructed the course of justice. The whole thing started when five

men were arrested for breaking into an office block called Watergate. This

was where the Democratic Party had their headquarters. Later on, the men

were linked to the campaign to re-elect President Nixon, who was in the

Republican Party.

Wang Fei: Well, this is very interesting but what has it got to do with The English We

Speak, William?

William: Well, because Watergate was such a massive scandal, Wang Fei, the word

-gate is now sometimes used as a suffix to suggest that something is a

scandal. So, to give you an example from last year, when Gordon Brown

was trying to get re-elected as British Prime Minister, he was overheard

calling an old lady a "bigot" – a very strong word for somebody who is

intolerant and close-minded. Anyway, this was a big scandal and it came

to be known in the media as 'bigotgate'.

Wang Fei: Bigotgate. That sounds almost a little bit funny.

William: Yes, you're right. I think using -gate on the end of a word can make it seem a

little humorous. This term -gate is used more in the USA, but another recent

example from the UK is 'Climategate' – that was when some emails and other

documents from a university in England led to people asking questions about

the way that scientists researched climate change. Climategate.

Wang Fei: So, can we use –gate in normal English conversation too?

William: Yes, you can – if you want to make a joke. Listen to this:

Man A: Have you seen Mark recently?

Man B: Mark – he hasn't spoken to me since beergate!

Man A: Beergate? What do you mean?

Man B: We had a big argument because I said Mark never bought a round of beer in

the pub! He got very upset and went home.

Wang Fei: So in that example, the speaker coined the word beergate to describe an

argument about paying for beer!

William: Yeah, which is obviously very silly. But of course, this suffix -gate is used in

very serious situations too. And it was thanks to members of the free press,

including the Washington Post journalists Bob Woodward and Carl

Bernstein, that the public came to know about Watergate.

Wang Fei: Yes. Check our website this week for more information and learning English

programmes about World Press Freedom Day. Goodbye.

William: Bye!

Gatecrash

Wang Fei : Hello and welcome to The English We Speak, I'm Wang Fei.

William: And I'm William. Welcome to the programme. You look very smart today,

Wang Fei.

Wang Fei: (false modesty) Mm, really? Do you think so?

William: Oh, yeah - very smart. Look at your bow tie! And your evening jacket!

Wang Fei: Well, this is just a little something I get out every now and then. I'm sure

George and Jack and Tom will be will be wearing something similar.

William: Who? George, Jack and...?

Wang Fei: (off-hand) Oh yeah, you know. George Clooney, Jack Nicholson and Tom

Cruise.

William: What? You're going to see George Clooney and Jack Nicholson and Tom

Cruise tonight?!

Wang Fei: Yep. Cannes Film Festival opens tomorrow so I'm going to a little party

tonight.

William: Wow! That's incredible! How did you get a ticket?

Wang Fei: Erm... well, I don't have a ticket as such. I'm just going to show up. I'm sure if

I'm dressed like this they'll let me in.

William: Right... so basically you're going to gatecrash a celebrity party.

Wang Fei: Gatecrash? What’s that?

William: To gatecrash a party. It means to go to a party even though you haven't been

invited. Let's hear some more examples.

Examples

Woman A: What was the party like last night?

Woman B: Oh it was awful! All these kids crashed it and drank all the beer.

Man A: How are the preparations going for the party tonight?

Man B: Yeah, not bad.

Man A: Aren't you worried it might get gatecrashed?

Man B: Yeah, we’re going to pay a guy to be on the door to stop people coming in.

Wang Fei: In the first example, the speaker described a party that was ruined

because kids crashed the party. So, to crash a party means to gatecrash

a party?

William: Yeah. And in that second example, the speaker said that he was going to pay

a guy to be on the door.

Wang Fei: 'To be on the door' – so this man will check that everyone who comes in has

an invitation. Hmm… do you think that there might be someone on the door

at this party tonight?

William: The one that you’re going to?

Wang Fei: Yes.

William: The celebrity one in Cannes with George and Jack and Tom?

Wang Fei: Yeah.

William: Yeah, I think, Wang Fei, there might be.

Wang Fei: (crestfallen) Ah!

William: Well, I tell you what, Wang Fei, my friend's having a birthday party in the

pub down the road. Why don't you come to that instead? You'll be a little bit

overdressed but I'm sure it will be fun.

Wang Fei: I was just looking forward to a bit of glamour for a change, with George, Jack

and…

William: … and Tom, yeah I know. One day, Wang Fei, if you keep making great

programmes with BBC Learning English then I’m sure that one day you’ll be

mixing it with George and Jack and Tom.

Wang Fei: But for now, I’ll have to be happy with the pub. Again. Bye.William: Bye!

Baby talk

William: Hello! Hi! My name’s William. I’m six years old and this is my best friend,

Wang Fei.

Wang Fei: Oh… hello everybody.

William: (Yawn) I feel sleepy! It’s almost time for beddy-byes!

Wang Fei: Er… William, why are you speaking so strangely?

William: I’m pretending that I’m six years old.

Wang Fei: Six years old! No wonder you sound more intelligent than normal.

William: Ha ha, very funny. Well, the reason I’m talking like a six-year-old is that last

Sunday, 15 May, was International Day of the Family. So I thought it might

be nice to look at some language which is used by children and with children.

Wang Fei: So is the language used with children special in some way?

William: Yeah, I think in English, like in any language, you wouldn’t use difficult

words when you are talking to young children. And probably, like in any

language, there are some special words that we tend to use only with children.

Wang Fei: Special words… such as?

William: Such as the phrase that I used a moment ago, beddy-byes.

Wang Fei: Beddy-byes. What’s this?

William: Well, if I say, ‘beddy-byes’, that means, ‘time for bed'. Let’s listen to this clip

of a father talking to his little boy. As you listen, see if you can hear some

other examples of baby talk.

Example

Father: Come on Alex, beddy-byes! Beddy-byes! Have you got your teddy? Put on

your jim-jams. Put on your jim-jams - that’s it! On they go. Jump into bed,

then. Sleepy time!

Shall I sing you a song? “Twinkle, Twinkle little star, how I wonder what you

are.” Night-night!

Wang Fei: In that clip, I heard the man say ‘jim-jams’.

William: Yes, he said ‘put on your jim-jams’. Jim-jams is a baby phrase for pyjamas –

the clothes that we wear to sleep in. He also made sure that his little boy had

his teddy, his soft cuddly toy.

Wang Fei: And then at the end, he didn’t say goodnight to him.

William: No, he said ‘nighty-night’. Now, there was a lot of language in that clip, so

let’s hear it again.

Example

Father: Come on Alex, beddy-byes! Beddy-byes! Have you got your teddy? Put on

your jim-jams. Put on your jim-jams - that’s it! On they go. Jump into bed,

then. Sleepy time!

Shall I sing you a song? “Twinkle, Twinkle little star, how I wonder what you

are.” Night-night!

William: (as a six-year-old) Wang Fei, do you want to see my teddy?

Wang Fei: Er… not really.

William: Here he is! He’s called Badger.

Wang Fei: A badger?! Oh, wow, he looks so old and… tired. Why? Where are his eyes?

William: Well, he’s been cuddled a lot. And, Wang Fei, do you want to see my jimjams?

Wang Fei: No, I think we should end today’s programme here, because I can tell that

William is getting ready for beddy-byes.

William: Look, Wang Fei, they’re blue and they’ve got racing cars on!

Wang Fei: I don’t want to see! I don’t want to see! Goodbye!

The special relationship

William: Hello and welcome to The English We Speak, I'm William Kremer.

Yang Li: And I'm Yang Li.

William: Let me play you something, Li.

British national anthem.

Yang Li: Oh, God Save the Queen; the British national anthem. Are you in a patriotic

mood, William?

William: Ah, but wait...

USA national anthem.

Yang Li: Eh? The Star Spangled Banner - The American National Anthem. But this is

the BBC, William!! British Broadcasting Corporation!

William: Yeah, I know, Li. But a very special visitor is coming to Britain today.

Barack Obama is visiting the UK on a three-day state visit.

Yang Li: Ah, yhat's right. But tell me something, William, be honest. Do the Brits and

Americans like each other?

William: Well, that's a very difficult question to answer in ninety seconds, Li. But it's

fair to say that our two countries have a lot in common. Not only do we share

the same language but economically and politically Britain and the USA have

a close connection. And this connection is often called the special

relationship.

Yang Li: The special relationship.

William: Here are a few examples of this phrase being used, which I found on the BBC

website:

Examples

Britain's former Foreign Secretary, Jack Straw, talks to Katty Kay about recent remarks in

which he described the 'special relationship' between America and Britain as a fiction that

should be dropped.

Isabel Hilton and guests discuss the past, present and future of what people on this side of the

Atlantic like to call 'the special relationship' between Britain and America. But is it really that

special?

Files newly released by the Wikileaks website highlight what is described as the UK's

'paranoia' about its so-called special relationship with the US.

Yang Li: It sounds like people are starting to question how special the special

relationship is!

William: Well, that might be true, and you can see that this is an issue that is easier to

talk about because there is a special phrase for it.

Yang Li: So does the UK have a special relationship with other countries too?

William: Yeah, of course. And occasionally you might read about 'a special

relationship with Australia' or 'a special relationship with India', for example.

But the phrase 'the special relationship' by itself usually refers to the USA and

Britain.

Yang Li: We have a special relationship, don't we William?

William: Yeah, of course we do, Yang Li! And do you think our special relationship is

like the special relationship?

Yang Li: Well, that depends, who is who in this relationship? Am I the USA or am I

the UK?!

William: Hmm. Well, that's an interesting question but also quite a strange one! So let's

end today's programme there. Bye bye!

Yang Li: Can I be America? I can take you for a ride in my Cadillac!

Bounce

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William: Hello and welcome to The English We Speak. My name is William Kremer.

Li: I'm Yang Li.

William: Li, do you mind if we don't look at a phrase today?

Li: Don't look at a phrase? So what do you want to do today instead?

William: Erm, nothing actually. I've got to go and meet a friend at the airport.

Li: So what are you saying, William? That you don't have time for today's

programme?

William: Is that all right?

Li: Oh well...

William: Well, thanks Li! I'm just going to bounce.

Li: Hey, William, wait, wait! What do you mean? What did you say just now?

William: I'm just going to bounce; I'm going to leave.

Li: I think we need to hear another example of that phrase.

Examples

Man: Hey Tom – where are you going? The party's just getting started!

Man 2: Ah sorry dude, I gotta bounce. I'm on an early shift tomorrow.

Li: In that clip we heard someone saying he had to leave a party.

William: Yes, that's right. He said "I gotta bounce".

Li: To bounce usually means for something to go up and down. But where does

this slang usage come from, William?

William: Well, 'bounce' meaning 'to leave' comes from the USA and it's urban slang, so

it's something that young cool kids might say.

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Li: Not you, then.

William: What do you mean?

Li: Well you're not young or cool. You are a middle-class Englishman in his

thirties.

William: Li, that's not fair! I listen to hip hop. And one of my jumpers has a hood.

Li: Anyway, we have talked about a phrase now. So if you like, you can bounce

now.

William: Right. Bouncing.

Li: Now that he's gone let's relax with some nice music...

Hullabaloo

Li: Hello everyone. My name is Yang Li and this is The English We Speak.

William: Hi there. I'm William Kremer.

Li: So what's today's word – ?

Muffled shouting from outside the studio and banging on the door.

Li: Eh?

William: What on earth is all of that hullabaloo about?

Shouting and banging stops.

Li: Ah... I think it's stopped.

William: What was it? It sounded like a crowd of people outside the studio!

Li: I don't know. I'd be interested to find out. But I have to say, there is

something else that I'm even more curious about...

William: Oh right. What's that?

Li: What was that word you used just now, William? Hulla...?

William: Hullabaloo.

Li: Oh, that's it.

William: Hullabaloo. You spell it H.U.L.L.A.B.A.L.O.O. Hullabaloo. It means a loud

noise or commotion.

Li: Hullabaloo (wrong pronunciation).

William: Hullabaloo.

Li: Hullabaloo (correct pronunciation).

William: Exactly, yeah.

Li: Let's hear another example of this word being used.

Example

Woman: I tried to quieten the class down, but there was such a hullabaloo that no-one

could hear me!

Li: So in that example, a teacher's class was making such a hullabaloo that noone

could hear her. Is this word used in any other ways, William?

William: Well, the word hullabaloo can imply anger and disapproval. Can you imagine

lots of people shouting because they're angry? Have a listen to this example:

Example

Man: That actor was so angry with the film's director and producer that he refused

to do any promotional work. But then when he didn't go to the premiere in

L.A., there was such a hullabaloo from his fans that he had to apologise.

Li: So in that example, a film star didn't go to a premiere and there was a

hullabaloo from his fans because they were angry with him.

William: And in that situation, 'hullabaloo' doesn't mean lots of loud noise, but maybe

some angry blog articles and some harsh words in the press.

Li: William, I must say, 'hullabaloo' is a very strange sounding word! Where does

it come from?

William: Well, no-one really knows for sure. But some people think it comes from

people going "Hullo! Hullo! Hullo!"

Li: Really? That's very –

Shouting and banging starts again.

Li: Oh, our own hullabaloo has started again!

William: Right. I'm going to see what they want!

Gets up and opens studio door.

William: What's all this noise? We're trying to record a programme here!

Fan 1: Is Yang Li here?

Li: Hello, yes? Who is it?

Fan 1: Yes! She is, she is!

Fan 2: Oh brilliant! Hi Li! Hi!

Fan 3: We're your biggest fans! Can we have your autograph?

Li: Oh well, I...

William: Oh Li, I didn't know that you had a fan club! Well, I think we'd better end the

programme there! Goodbye!

Li: Where do you want me to sign? And do you want me to write something

special?

Two phrases about fatherhood

William: Hello and welcome to The English We Speak. I'm William Kremer.

Yang Li: And I'm Yang Li.

William: So this Sunday is Father's Day here in the UK and in many countries around

the world.

Yang Li: William, I know you are married but you are not a father yet, right?

William: Yes, that's right.

Yang Li: Well in that case, I don't think you are well qualified to talk about this topic,

William!

William: Well, I disagree. All that matters is that we can speak English! So today I

thought we could look at a couple of very common phrases relating to

fatherhood. Let's listen to this clip of a woman talking to her friend about

her son. Try and hear a phrase relating to fatherhood.

Example

Woman: And how's Jonathan?

Woman 2: Good question – I'd like to know the answer! He's ever so quiet and I never

know what he's thinking...

Woman: Oh yeah.

Woman 2: Mind you, his dad's exactly the same. Like father, like son.

Yang Li: Like father, like son. So that means that the son is just like the father, is that

right?

William: Exactly, yes.

Yang Li: So, William, can you say like mother, like daughter?

William: Well, you could say that but it's not really a phrase in English. 'Like father,

like son' is quite a common phrase. And you have to use those exact words,

you can't say 'Like his father, like my son' – it has to be 'like father, like

son'.

Yang Li: So are you like your father, William?

William: That's a good question. What do you think, Dad?

William's Dad: Oh, that's a difficult question –

Yang Li: Wow, I didn't know – I didn't realise you were here, Mr Kremer! It's very

nice to meet you! Very nice to meet you.

William's Dad: Nice to meet you too. I always like to keep an eye on William, make sure

he's being a good son. And I think I was a good son to my father, so in that

way, I think he is like me.

Li: I think you look quite alike, except that William is much taller than you – he

is a giant!

William's Dad: I have to carry a chair with me wherever I go just to keep up with him!

William: Alright, Dad. So, before we finish today, let's have a look at another phrase

connected with fatherhood. And this phrase means a long time before you

were born. In this clip a woman is talking to her uncle. Try and hear the

phrase.

Example

Woman: I didn't know you used to have a motorbike!

Man: Oh yes. I had one for a couple of years... it must have been in the sixties;

before you were even a twinkle in your father's eye!

Yang Li: Wow that was quite a long phrase – 'Before you were even a twinkle in your

father's eye.'

William: Yeah, or you could say, 'You weren't even a twinkle in your father's eye'. A

twinkle is something that shines brightly, like a star. So it's quite a romantic

word. Maybe the phrase means: before your father ever looked at your

mother in a romantic way; so, long before you were born.

Yang Li: Well, we hope that these English phrases might be useful to you this

Sunday. Happy Father's Day!

William: Happy Father's Day!

William's Dad: Oh thanks guys!

Phrases for festivals

Yang Li: Hello, I'm Yang Li and this is The English We Speak.

William: I'm William Kremer. Welcome to the programme.

Yang Li: Ah William, I am so excited!

William: Really? What's brought this on, then?

Yang Li: This weekend something really really really great is happening! Do you know

what it is?

William: No...

Yang Li: It has to do with music...

William: Hmm. Is it a big opera?

Yang Li: No, it takes place outdoors...

William: Ah, is it opera in the park?

Yang Li: No, no, it's not opera. It's Glastonbury!

William: Oh wow, the huge music festival! I've never been. What's the line-up this

year?

Yang Li: Oh no, you don't need to queue. You can just get tickets online. But of course,

they are sold out now.

William: No, no, the line-up, Li. Who's playing?

Yang Li: Oh, I see. There's U2 and the Chemical Brothers and Fleet Foxes and Elbow...

and loads and loads of bands of course. But William, I'm confused about this

phrase line-up...

William: Well, in America to 'wait in line' means to queue. But a line-up refers to all

the bands that are playing in a festival.

Yang Li: Oh right. So, is this phrase only used for music festivals?

William: No, it isn't. Listen to this:

Example

Man: Is Jones playing this weekend?

Man 2: No, he's still injured so he's not in the line-up.

William: So in that example 'the line-up' meant the members of a sports team playing

in a match. The line-up.

Yang Li: Well anyway, it's a pretty good line-up at Glastonbury this weekend. I can't

wait.

William: Who's headlining on Sunday?

Yang Li: Eh, what?

William: Headlining. Who's headlining? Ah, I think I know why you're confused. 'To

headline' doesn't mean to be in the newspapers. It means to be the main act in

a festival. The main act is 'the headline act'.

Yang Li: Oh right. I think Beyoncé Knowles is headlining on Sunday. She is the

headline act.

William: Ah yes, Beyoncé. I've heard of her. Is she the one that does that dance, like

this...

Yang Li: Oh William, stop it! Stop it! You are not Beyoncé Knowles! It looks wrong!

William: OK, OK. So, what time do you leave?

Yang Li: Eh?

William: What time are you going to Glastonbury? It's quite a long way, you know Li.

You should probably be getting on a train about now.

Yang Li: Oh no, I'm not going! It costs an absolute fortune, you know, and it can be so

muddy! And I don't like the idea of those festival toilets. Oh, no, no, no, it's

not for me. I'm just going to watch it on telly.

William: Oh OK, right! Well, for everyone who is going to a music festival this year,

we hope you have a fantastic time. I hope that the line-up is great and that the

headline act doesn't disappoint. Bye!Yang Li: Bye.

Teetotal

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William: Hello and welcome to The English We Speak. My name is William Kremer.

Helen: And I'm Helen. Hello.

William: So, are you going to go out after work tonight, Helen?

Helen: You mean for Rob's birthday? What's the plan?

William: Well, I think we're just going to head to the Fox and Flowerpot at 6.00pm.

Helen: Going to the pub again? No, I think I'll give it a miss this time.

William: Oh no! Why? Have you got plans?

Helen: No, it's just...

William: You don't like Rob, maybe?

Helen: No, no – that's not the reason. I just don't like going to the pub all the time. I

don't really drink, you know, and I always feel a bit awkward.

William: Ah, I didn't know you were teetotal, Helen!

Helen: Teetotal?

William: Teetotal. This is an adjective that describes a person who doesn't drink

alcohol.

Helen: Right - so does this person just drink tea?!

William: Well maybe! But actually, the word teetotal doesn't have anything to do with

tea. It's spelled T.E.E.T.O.T.A.L. Let's listen to this example of the word

being used:

Example

Man: Have you bought the drinks for the party yet?

Woman: Yep – I've got a case of wine and two boxes of beer. I've also got some soft

drinks for Granny. She's teetotal nowadays.

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Helen: Can you say, "I don't feel like drinking beer tonight... I'm going to have a

teetotal evening"?

William: Well not really. We describe people as teetotal, and it means that they never

drink alcohol. Now, teetotal is an adjective, but there is also a noun that we

can use. See if you can hear it in this example:

Example

Man: My father used to drink heavily, you know. Every night he'd have a bottle of

Scotch. Maybe that's why I've always been a teetotaller.

Helen: I heard the word teetotaller. And the speaker in that clip was describing why

he was a teetotaller. Now William, where does this word come from?

William: Well no-one is really sure, Helen. But it's worth saying that in the past it was

used to describe someone who didn't drink and who also thought that drinking

alcohol was a bad thing. I think nowadays it's a little bit softer.

Helen: Well, truth be told William, I'm not a teetotaller. I like a drink every now and

then but I just can't drink pint after pint of beer like you English people!

William: Well, good for you Helen! But why don't you come to the pub anyway? You

can just have an orange juice or a lemonade. No-one will laugh at you.

Helen: No, they won't laugh at me, but they will ask me to drive them home! No,

please tell Rob happy birthday but I don't feel like it tonight. But thanks for

telling us about this interesting word, William.

William: Well, don't mention it, Helen. Right, I'm off to the pub now.

Helen: Don't drink too much!

William: I won't! Bye!Helen: Bye!

To nip something in the bud

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Helen: Hello and welcome to The English We Speak. I'm Helen.

William: Hi, I'm William. Today Hampton Court Palace Flower Show is opening.

Music, birdsong

Helen: Oh, Hampton Court Palace Flower Show – the world's largest flower show!

I've seen it on the news before. If only I had a garden!

William: Ah yes, you live in an apartment, don't you Helen?

Helen: Yeah. So William, let me guess, today we are going to do a phrase relating to

flowers and gardening?

William: Exactly.

Helen: So...? What's the phrase?

William: Er... Well, how about... how about... er. No, it's gone. It's no good. I can't

think of a phrase right now.

Helen: Oh well. Let's just have a chat instead. I'm tired of learning new phrases

anyway.

William: OK. Well, how are you Helen? How are the kids?

Helen: Oh they are both really well. My little boy eats too much chocolate though!

William: Oh really? Well, you want to nip that in the bud.

Helen: Eh? Nip it in the bud?

William: Nip it in the bud. If you nip something in the bud, you stop it before it

becomes a problem. Listen to this example from a business context:

Example

Man: The last few deliveries we've had from this company have all had broken

parts in them.

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Woman: Well, we need to nip that in the bud. Tell them that unless their service

improves, we're going to look for another supplier.

Helen: So in that example, the man was complaining about poor service from a

supplier. The woman wanted to nip it in the bud.

William: That's right. She wanted to take steps to improve the service before it got

even worse.

Helen: So where does this phrase come from William – to nip something in the bud?

Birdsong and music

William: Well, it comes from gardening, actually. A bud is the part of a plant that

becomes a flower, a leaf or stem. If you nip something in the bud, you cut the

bud off the plant before it has time to grow.

Helen: Oh. That's not very nice.

William: Well, gardening is a tough game, Helen. You have to nip things in the bud

sometimes. You also have to kill slugs and snails.

Helen: Eugh! I'm glad I don't have a garden.

William: Bye!

Helen: Bye!

To blow one's own trumpet

William: Hello and welcome to The English We Speak. My name is William Kremer.

Helen: And I'm Helen.

William: I've got something for you, Helen.

Burst of loud classical music (Beethoven's '5th Symphony')

Helen: It's nice to have a bit of music William, but why...

Burst of different classical music (Mendelssohn's 'Dance of the Clowns')

William: What do you think... nice music, huh?

Helen: Well, it's certainly dramatic! So are we having a special musical edition

today, William?

William: Well, yes we are Helen. The BBC Proms start this Friday, remember?

Helen: Ah, of course. The BBC Proms is a huge classical music festival that the BBC

sponsors. It's over 100 years old.

William: Yes and every day for the next two months hundreds of music fans will queue

to get their hands on a £5 ticket.

Helen: Wow. Are you going to go?

William: No, I hate queuing! But anyway, I thought we could have a music-themed

programme. And our phrase this week relates to one instrument in particular...

Trumpet music solo

Helen: The trumpet?

William: Yes, do you know what it means to say someone 'blows his own trumpet'?

Helen: Yes. It means that someone is talking too much about his achievements,

right?

William: Exactly. Let's listen to an example.

Example

Woman: Who's going to be there tonight?

Man: I think Angela and Mark and that guy Martin...

Woman: Oh no, not Martin! He's such a bore. He's always blowing his own trumpet.

Last time I saw him he went on and on about how he had been promoted

twice in six weeks.

Helen: So this is quite a negative phrase then?

William: Yes, sometimes. But interestingly, it isn't always used in a negative way.

Listen to this example. A woman is talking to her niece.

Example

Woman: I didn't know you'd come top in the class again! Why didn't you tell me? You

really must start blowing your own trumpet a bit more!

Helen: So in that clip, the woman was telling her niece she ought to blow her own

trumpet more?

William: Yes. And English people sometimes use this phrase because they are

embarrassed to talk about their achievements. Listen to this clip:

Example

Man: How's it going at your work nowadays?

Woman: Well, at the risk of blowing my own trumpet, it's going very well. In fact, I've

just won an award!

Helen: She said "At the risk of blowing my own trumpet".

William: Yeah, so that's like saying "Excuse me while I talk about my achievements"!

Helen: Well, I wonder whether we should blow our own trumpet a bit more. I mean

here we are with a really popular website, bbclearningenglish.com...

William: ...yeah, making lots of little programmes that are entertaining, fascinating,

useful...

Helen: …and best of all, it's all free! Brilliant, huh?

William: Yeah, that's brilliant! But maybe we should stop blowing our own trumpet

now! Shall we have some more of that nice music again to finish off?

Helen: Oh yes! Bye!

William: Bye!

Glamping

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Neil: Hello and welcome to The English We Speak, I'm Neil Edgeller.

Feifei: And I'm Feng Feifei. Neil you're looking very relaxed and healthy today.

Neil: Oh, thanks Feifei, I've just come back from a camping holiday actually.

Feifei: A camping holiday?! Most people come back from camping looking like they

need another holiday because of the lack of comfortable facilities!

Neil: Ah, well actually I cheated. I went glamping.

Feifei: Glamping?

Neil: Yes, glamping. Although I was staying in a tent, it was already set up when

we arrived at the campsite, we slept on proper beds and even had a kitchen

with a cooker and fridge.

Feifei: Wow, that sounds more glamorous than camping!

Neil: Exactly! Glamorous camping. Put those two words together and you get…

Both: Glamping.

Feifei: Oh I see… glamping is a word made up of two words: glamorous…

Neil: And camping.

Feifei: It's glamorous because there are lots of facilities you don't normally get in a

tent, such as proper beds and even a kitchen.

Example

A: I really hate camping… It reminds me of miserable holidays as a kid, sleeping on a cold,

wet floor and eating horrible food!

B: You should try glamping. You get to spend time in the great outdoors but in a proper bed

and with nice meals! It's wonderful!

Feifei: So do people really use this word 'glamping'?

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Neil: Yes, it's quite a new word and a bit of a joke, but you can read it and you do

hear people use it because there are more and more companies offering

glamping holidays.

Feifei: Hmm…

Neil: What's up Feifei? I know you're a city girl, but wouldn't you like to try

glamping?

Feifei: I'm not sure about that… Is there room service?

Neil: Room service?! That's a step too far! I'm afraid that's too glamorous for

glamping!

Feifei: OK, how about a spa and massage room?!

Neil: Spa and massage room?! Honestly, it's still camping. Bye for now.

Feifei: Ha ha! Bye!

Do

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Neil: Hello and welcome to The English We Speak. I'm Neil Edgeller.

Feifei: And I'm Feng Feifei. Neil, you look terrible! You’ve got red eyes, grey skin

and your voice is so rough!

Neil: Oh, Feifei, you’re right. I feel terrible. I went to a leaving do last night and I

drank too much beer… and wine…

Feifei: A leaving do? Do?

Neil: Yes, a leaving do. A colleague has got a job at another company and had a

party to celebrate his last day.

Feifei: So it was a party?

Neil: Yes, that’s what I said. It was a leaving do.

Feifei: Right, so 'do' is a noun and it means party?

Neil: Yes, that’s right. It’s British English. Urgh.

Feifei: Ah, so in British English, another word for party is 'do'.

Insert

A: Did you enjoy Mary’s wedding?

B: Oh, it was an amazing do. The food was delicious and there was an excellent band playing.

We danced all night!

A: Oh, hi Dave. We’re having a bit of a do on Saturday and wondered if you and Sally would

like to come over?

B: Thanks, that would be great. You two always put on a good do.

Feifei: So is this a common word?

Neil: Yes, you’ll hear it all the time: especially in certain phrases.

Feifei: Like what?

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Neil: Well, a leaving do.

Feifei: A leaving do.

Neil: And a bit of a do – we’re having a bit of a do.

Feifei: A bit of a do. So, was it a good leaving do last night?

Neil: Um, yes, yes, yes it was very good… I think. I can’t really remember…

Feifei: Go home and get some sleep!

Neil: That’s a very, very good idea. Bye for now.

Feifei: Bye!

On a roll

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Helen: Hello, and welcome to The English We Speak. My name is Helen.

Steve: And I'm Steve. How are you, Helen?

Helen: Actually, I'm feeling very positive, thanks Steve.

Steve: Why? What’s happened?

Helen: Well, I found out on Friday that I'm getting a promotion at BBC Learning

English, then on Saturday I won £1,000 on the lottery.

Steve: Wow, that's brilliant!

Helen: Yes, and then on Sunday it got even better. I found out that some

paintings I've done are going to be displayed at an art gallery in London!

Steve: That’s amazing, Helen – you're on a roll at the moment, aren't you!

Helen: Er… I'm on a what?

Steve: On a roll…

Helen: Roll? I don't roll… I walk, or sometimes I run if I want some exercise. A

football rolls if I kick it across the ground.

Steve: Sure, a football rolls, but you can be on a roll. It means you’re

experiencing lots of success or good luck at the moment.

Helen: I see, the phrase 'on a roll' means you are having lots of good luck in

your life. Let's listen to an example.

Example

Man: I hear your sister’s getting married.

Woman: Yeah, she met this amazing guy while she was working in the theatre in

London, and six months later they’re engaged! And then, yesterday she was offered the

lead part in the theatre’s new play. She’s really on a roll!

Helen: So that woman is excited because her sister is on a roll – she met an

amazing guy who she's now engaged to, and then she was offered the

lead part in a play.

Steve: Yes, if you're on a roll it means lots of things are going well for you at the

moment. Here’s another example.

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Example

Man 1: How are Arsenal doing in the Premier League these days?

Man 2: Oh, they’re totally on a roll! They’ve won all three games this month,

including the one against Man United!

Helen: So that man thinks his favourite football team are on a roll because

they've won all their games?

Steve: Yes, they've won every game they've played this month – they're playing

really well.

Text message sound

Helen: Oh, wait a second. I've got a text message from my husband.

Steve: What's he saying – have you won the lottery again? Are you still on a roll?

Sound effect of car braking suddenly

Helen: No… actually, he's just had his bike stolen, and earlier he lost his car

keys!

Steve: Oh, dear, that's bad luck! Unlike you, he's definitely not on a roll.

Helen: No… I'd better go and help him look for those keys. Bye!

Steve: Bye!

In the nick of time

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Helen: Hello, and welcome to The English We Speak. My name is Helen.

Rob: And I'm Rob. Helen, you look like you've been rushing. Here, have some

water.

Helen: Oh thanks. I'm a bit out of breath. My appointment at the bank took longer

than expected.

Rob: You got here just in the nick of time then.

Helen: Just in the nick of time? Shouldn't it be just in time?

Rob: You can say both. It means at the very last moment. Let's hear how this

phrase is used.

Example

Woman 1: Alice gave birth to a baby girl last night.

Woman 2: I thought she wasn't due for another three weeks.

Woman 1: It was early and they got to the hospital just in the nick of time.

Man: Sarah and I were on our way to see Beyonce in concert. But she left her

mobile in the office, so we had to go back and get it.

Woman: Did you miss the show?

Man: Thankfully not, we got there just in the nick of time.

Helen: In the first example, we heard one woman got to the hospital just before her

baby was born. And in the second example, a couple nearly missed their

Beyonce concert.

Rob: That would've been awful. You hear this phrase often used to suggest a

disaster had been averted. If the action happened any later, then something

awful could happen.

Helen: I see. I have another question – is this phrase a British expression?

Rob: I don't think the phrase 'in the nick of time' is specifically British. It originated

from the UK, but English speakers from all over the world use it.

Helen: Let's listen to a few more examples then.

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Example

Man: We arrived just in the nick of the time. Another five minutes, our plane would

have left without us.

Woman: Sam was experimenting with stir frying last night and the wok caught fire.

Luke rushed in with the fire blanket just in the nick of time.

Helen: That was close. Stir frying can get pretty hot sometimes. And it's good that

Luke didn't try to put out the fire with water.

Rob: That would have been a catastrophe. So Helen, are you the kind of person

who likes to do things at the very last minute?

Helen: Well, I'd like to think of myself as a person who can do things in the nick of

time. Thanks for listening. Bye.

Rob: Bye.

To nick

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Helen: Hello, and welcome to The English We Speak. My name is Helen.

Rob: And I'm Rob.

Helen: I saw you looking for your headphones earlier, did you find them?

Rob: No, Helen. I looked for them everywhere, someone must have nicked

them.

Helen: Nicked them? What do you mean?

Rob: Oh, sorry, what I mean is someone stole my headphones. To nick

something means to steal something.

Helen: That's terrible. But how is it spelt?

Rob: It's spelt N.I.C.K. nick, to nick something.

Helen: My son's best friend is called Nick. It's the same spelling, isn't it?

Rob: It is, but not the same meaning. Here the word 'nick' is a verb and it's

British slang too.

Helen: Let's hear a couple of examples. What items have been stolen?

Example

Man: Someone nicked my bike this morning.

Lady: Oh, no. Did you report it to the police?

Man: Yes, I did.

Man 1: Where are the chocolate biscuits I was saving? I am sure I saw them yesterday.

Man 2: Sorry, I don't know. Blame Dave, he's always nicking things.

Rob: So, one of them lost a bike and the other one lost his chocolate biscuits.

Helen: Unlucky chaps. Maybe the police can help them.

Rob: Yes. The police can definitely help them by nicking those petty thieves.

Helen: That's very confusing. The police can nick too? They can steal?

Rob: No, no, no, no. The police can't nick things from people. But when they

arrest someone, we can say the person is nicked. It means they're arrested

by the police.

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Example

Woman: Have you heard from Inspector James?

Man: No. He's working on a big case, I think they have just nicked the main suspect!

Helen: So if a criminal is caught by the police, then we can say he's nicked.

Rob: That's right. Let's go over the two meanings of the verb 'to nick'. First, if

something is nicked, it means it's stolen.

Helen: Like my pen got nicked.

Rob: Yes, that's right. But if a person gets nicked, we mean he's arrested by the

police.

Helen: A comedian got nicked for throwing a pie at Rupert Murdoch.

Rob: Yes, he did. Helen, you've got it. Just remember it's not a formal

expression.

Helen: Thank you. I'll keep that in mind. Bye for now.

Rob: Bye!

Brownie points

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William: Hello and welcome to The English we Speak, I'm William.

Feifei: And I'm Feifei. William, what are you doing with that suitcase and flowers

and boxes of chocolates?

William: Oh, well I'm spending the weekend with my wife's parents so I thought

I'd better get something for my mother-in-law.

Feifei: Oh I see! A weekend with the in-laws.

William: And I'm going to do a bit of decorating and gardening for them too.

Feifei: Wow, you really are trying to earn some brownie points, aren't you?

William is trying to get praise and approval by doing something for them.

William: Yes, I'm trying to earn some brownie points.

Feifei: To earn some brownie points. 'Brownie points' are badges young girls who

are members of a youth organisation called 'The Brownies' earn for doing

good things for others. Now we use that term generally to mean 'trying to

get praise for our actions'.

William: Yes, you see I'm not sure if my mother-in-law really… likes me that

much. So that's why I'm trying to earn some brownie points. Maybe she'll

change her attitude towards me.

Feifei: Oh dear. Yes, maybe you'll get some approval from her.

Example

Man: Look at Gary. He keeps offering to do extra work – even at weekends

Woman: Well he's hoping to earn a few brownie points with the bosses. There's a new

position opening up and I reckon he'll apply for it.

Feifei: He's been offering to do extra work to impress his bosses. It's because

there's an opportunity for a promotion coming up.

William: But to earn brownie points is more than just doing someone a favour.

Feifei: Yes, the expression means you're trying to get approval from someone.

It's also quite a light-hearted and informal expression.

William: When was the last time you earned brownie points from someone, Feifei?

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Feifei: Oh I don't try to get other people's approval.

William: Hmm, really? So you don't really care what people think about you?

Feifei: No, not at all. But William, you've got so much stuff with you. Are you

taking the train to your in-laws' house? Can I give you a lift to the

station?

William: Oh thanks! That's really kind of you, Feifei. I was beginning to think you

were a bit selfish but now I can see you're quite generous. Ah, I

understand!

Feifei: Yes, I'm trying to earn some brownie points!

William: Well, you succeeded! Goodbye!

Feifei: Bye!

Mind-boggling

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Feifei: Hello, and welcome to The English We Speak. My name is Feifei.

William: And I'm William.

Feifei: William, how much do you know about China?

William: Er... Not much. Why are you asking?

Feifei: Well, I was flicking through the papers and I came across this quiz.

William: Oh no, not quizzes, I'm rubbish at them.

Feifei: Oh, well. Let's see. Here is the first one – name the capital city of China.

William: That's easy, Beijing.

Feifei: Yes. Which province is famous for its hot and spicy cuisine?

William: Em, I think Sichuan food is quite spicy.

Feifei: See, you are doing well! How about this one – roughly how many characters

are there in the Chinese language?

William: Oh, loads. 5,000?

Feifei: No. Try again.

William: 7,000?

Feifei: Well, actually, roughly 42,000.

William: Wow, that's amazing. I didn't know it was that many. How can people

possibly learn them all? It's totally mind-boggling!

Feifei: What is mind-boggling?

William: Mind-boggling describes something overwhelming and amazing, like really

impressive numbers or facts. It's made up of two words: mind and to boggle.

Let's hear an example.

Example:

Woman 1: I took my son to the Science Museum on Sunday.

Woman 2: Did you go to the space mission area?

Woman 1: Oh yes. There were rockets, space suits, even parts from a satellite - so

many mind-boggling things to see.

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Feifei: I really want to learn more about the universe. It’s a fascinating subject.

William: Well, astronomy, the study of stars, has lots of mind-boggling theories.

Example:

Man: I was at a physics workshop last month in Munich. There were seminars on

black holes and antimatter. It was totally mind-boggling stuff; I think I might

have understood about five percent of what was discussed.

Feifei: Well, I think I now know what mind-boggling means and how to use this

phrase. And here is one final mind-boggling question – How many stars are

there in the Milky Way?

William: Er, is it 42,000 again?

Feifei: No, no! Some people say there are over 200 billion stars in the Milky Way but

no one knows for sure.

That's all from us on The English We Speak. See you next time.

William: Bye.

To jump the gun

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William: Watch out, he is going to jump the gun again…

Yang Li: You don't know that yet, so don't you jump the gun.

Gun shot

William: Look, what did I say? He did jump the gun. It will have to start all over

again now.

Yang Li: Yes, you are right. But could you just switch off the TV for two minutes

please? It's time for The English We Speak.

William: Oh yes. The English We Speak from bbclearningenglish.com. Hi, I am

William Kremer.

Yang Li: And I'm Yang Li. Today's phrase, as you heard at the beginning of the

programme is 'jump the gun'.

William: Yes. It's a phrase that people may use when talking about a race, like a

swimming race. What do you think it means?

Example

Woman 1: The 100-metre freestyle was exciting. However, nearly every time

someone jumped the gun.

Woman 2: Oh, that's a bit disappointing. But you enjoyed it, did you?

Woman 1: Oh yes, it's my favourite sport.

William: If someone jumps the gun, it means they start too soon, before the

starting pistol.

Yang Li: Which can be quite frustrating for everyone including the audience.

William: More often nowadays, people use this phrase when someone says

something or does something too soon, especially without thinking

carefully about it.

Yang Li: You mean they are too eager to say something?

William: Yes, kind of. Let's hear some more examples.

Example:

· Man: He shouted at me before I had time to explain, but later he apologised for

jumping the gun.

· Man: You know what happened to Dan, my friend?

Woman: Yes how did he do in his job interview?

Man: What happened was that he was so sure that he would get the job that he

quit his old job. Unfortunately, he really jumped the gun. He just found out

yesterday that he didn't get the job after all.

Yang Li: As you heard when you say or do something too soon then you are

jumping the gun.

William: It can be very embarrassing if you jump the gun. I did it once before but

hopefully never again.

Yang Li: Well, I am too slow to jump the gun, so that's not a problem for me. Is

there a phrase for that in English, Will?

William: Well, yes there is but I don't think I'm going to tell you.

Yang Li: Please tell me.

William: No. No.

Yang Li: Oh, please.

William: No. Maybe next time?

Yang Li: Are you not going to tell me?

William: No I'm not going to tell you.

Yang Li: Oh, I've this gun and I'm going to gun you down if you don't.

William: No, no, er…

Yang Li: Are you going to or not?

William: No, no.

Yang Li: Yes or no?

William: No…Er…

Gun Shot

Yob

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Callum: Hello and welcome to The English We Speak. My name is Callum Robertson.

Li: And I'm Yang Li.

Insert

Men: Come 'ere then! Oi! Come on then! Want a fight? Who are ya?!

Li: Oh Callum! Who are all those horrible men that I can hear on my

headphones?

Callum: Well, Li, they are yobs.

Li: Yobs?

Callum: Yes, yobs. Yob is our phrase for today. It's an informal word that refers to a

man who is loud and rude and possibly rather violent.

Li: Oh, that sounds like you!

Callum: What are you talking about, sounds like me?! What do you mean? Are you

asking for a fight?!

Li: No, no, no! But do you see what I mean? You sound like a yob.

Callum: Erm... yes, OK. Sorry about that. Anyway, I chose this word because as many

people will know the UK recently experienced some violence on the streets of

London and other cities. 'Yob' is a word that the British press used to describe

the rioters. Let's hear some real headlines from some British newspapers:

Examples

UK riots: 11 councils to evict 'riot yobs'.

Ken Clarke blames 'feral' yobs.

600 riot yobs left DNA on windows.

Riot yobs filmed attacking cop cars.

Riot yobs can't hide.

UK riots: young yobs back on streets despite David Cameron's pledge.

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Li: I'm not sure I remember seeing this word yob on the BBC news site.

Callum: Well no. It's a very negative and judgemental word. The BBC tends to avoid

this kind of language in its news stories. But this is a piece of British slang

that is very common in the UK. We also sometimes use the word yobbo.

Li: Yobbo. Hmm. But where do all these words come from?

Callum: Well, interestingly, what we have here is an example of backslang. If you

read the word yob backwards, what do you get?

Li: Erm... B.O.Y., boy.

Callum: Exactly. And that's what the word used to mean, but now it refers to a rude

and violent man, often a young man but not always.

Li: Listen Callum, I'm sorry about earlier. I don't really think you're a yob. You

are a gentleman.

Callum: Oh, thanks Li.

Li: But in any case you know if we were to get in a fight I would beat you. So

don't you try that again!

Callum: OK.

Hold your horses

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William: Hello and welcome to The English We Speak. My name is William Kremer.

Li: And I'm Li. William, what's our phrase today?

William: Well, hold on a second Li, let me just play you -

Li: No, come on, tell me now – what phrase are we looking at today?

William: Well, we'll come onto that in a minute but I've got some very special FX for

you...

Li: More special FX?! And special music? That's not what our people want! They

want authentic English phrases, and they want them now! So what's our

phrase today?

William: Li, hold your horses!

Li: Eh?

William: Hold your horses. It means: be patient.

Li: Oh... where does this phrase come from, William?

William: Well, apparently it comes from battles in times of war:

Example

FX – Battle re-enactment noise

Man: Hold your horses men!

FX – gunfire, horses whinnying

Li: Wow, Will, your FX this week are really special!

William: Hmmm, I know! In that clip we heard a soldier telling his men to hold their

horses before he started firing weapons.

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Li: But nowadays, I am guessing, you don't need to be a soldier to use this

phrase, right?

William: Exactly, yes. It means: don't rush, be patient. Let's hear a couple of examples:

Examples

Man: I've just gone online to order us some new computers. What's our charge

code again?

Woman: Ah, well you're going to have to hold your horses! I haven't agreed a budget

yet with the management team.

Man: I've just spoken to Mark –

Woman: Have you indeed? Well don't listen to a word that man says! He's never liked

me...

Man: Hey, hey hey! Hold your horses. We didn't discuss you at all, as a matter of

fact.

Li: So in that first example, the man couldn't order his computers yet because the

company hadn't agreed a budget. He had to wait; he had to hold his horses.

William: Hmm. And in the second example it was slightly different. In that clip we

heard a woman interrupt the man because she thought she knew what he was

going to say.

Li: Ah yes, the man told her to hold her horse and wait for him to finish

speaking.

William: Ah, yeah, but Li we never say "Hold your horse" we always say "Hold your

horses".

Li: Oh OK, I'll bear it in mind. But, er, Will...?

William: Yeah?

Li: Can you hold this for me please?

Horse whinnying

You've changed your tune

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Li: Hello and welcome to The English We Speak. My name is Yang Li.

William: (mouth full) And I'm William, mmf, mmf.

Li: My dear co-presenter William! Don't you know it's rude to speak with your

mouth full? Particularly in a BBC audio programme!

William: (smacking lips) Well, I do know that but I've really been enjoying this super

jumbo hamburger. Wow, that was so good. I just can't get enough of super

jumbo hamburgers recently.

Li: Oh? So what is it about super jumbo hamburgers that you like so much?

William: Well, good question Li. I think it might be the delicious 100% beef burger

and how the flavours merge with the sauce, which is made to a carefullyguarded

recipe. But then again I like the lovely gherkins and the crisp

crunchy lettuce. But also let's not forget the layers of soft yellow cheese.

Maybe it's all of those things. Hmmm. I think I could have another actually.

Li: Well Will, all I can say is: you have changed your tune.

William: Hmm... That's an interesting phrase, Li. Shall we make it our phrase of the

day?

Li: Sure, why not?

If you change your tune, you change your attitude towards something or

someone.

William: It's a slightly critical phrase, but in a jokey sort of way. Let's hear another

example:

Example

Girl 1: What do you think about Mark? Don't you think he's really good-looking?

Girl 2: Mark? I thought you hated him?

Girl 1: That was last week. This week, I feel very different...

Girl 2: Wow, you've certainly changed your tune!

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Li: Hmmm. I have to say I don't think I change my tune very often.

William: Well, I'm sure that's true but we don't generally use the phrase to talk about

ourselves. We tend to always say: "You've changed your tune" or "You've

certainly changed your tune." And we say it like this: "You've changed your

tune".

Li: OK. And you have certainly changed your tune, William, about super jumbo

hamburgers.

William: No... I've always loved those things!

Li: No, trust me, Will. Hang on... Here you go. Two weeks ago you said this: "I

hate super jumbo hamburgers. The meat is like low-grade frozen cardboard,

the cheese is like plastic and the tomatoes are like rubber. After I eat one I

just want to curl up in bed." That's what you said!

William: Oh, right. Well, I guess they must have grown on me.

Li: What a change of tune, from William, the burger hater to William, the burger

lover!

Heavy

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Neil: Hello and welcome to The English We Speak. My name's Neil.

Helen: (Sigh) And I'm Helen.

Neil: Oh Helen, that was a heavy sigh.

Helen: A heavy sigh? By that, you mean a big sigh! Well, I suppose it was. It's just

I've been trying to lose some weight but my diet is not working.

Neil: So how heavy are you exactly?

Helen: I'm not going to tell you my weight!

Neil: OK but my advice is to cut down on the biscuits, eat more fruit and stick to

the diet!

Helen: Yeah, yeah, yeah!

Neil: Sorry am I getting too heavy?

Helen: Heavy? You mean you're putting on weight too?

Neil: No! Heavy can have another meaning. Used informally, it can mean serious

or intense. Have a listen to this:

Example

Our relationship's getting a bit heavy. I think we need to go out more and have a bit more fun.

Neil: And another informal use of the word can mean difficult.

Example

That was a heavy lecture, I had trouble understanding it all.

Helen: A heavy lecture – I've been to a few of them!

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Neil: Me too. But Helen, we can also use the word 'heavy' in a more formal way to

mean 'intense'.

Example

There was such a heavy fog I couldn't see where I was going.

The flooding was caused by days of heavy rain.

Heavy fighting broke out after the government's announcement.

Helen: So heavy in those examples also means intense, bad or strong. What about a

heavy drinker or a heavy smoker? What does that mean?

Neil: Heavy here means to indulge to a great extent.

Helen: Well that's not me – but there is one kind of 'heavy' I do like to indulge in.

Neil: And what's that?

Helen: Heavy metal!

(Turns on heavy metal music)

Neil: (shouting) That's a little heavy on my ears. Turn it down! What a noise!

Playing Up

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Rob: Hello and welcome to the English We Speak. My name is Rob.

Helen: And hello, my name is Helen.

Rob: Hold on Helen, hold on. We can't hear you properly. I think your microphone

is playing up.

Helen: Playing up?

Rob: Sorry, I didn't quite catch that.

Helen: Let me just push this button.

There! Hello. Now, you said the microphone was playing up?

Rob: That's right. It wasn't working properly. If something isn't working as it

should be, we sometimes say it's playing up.

Helen: Up – not down?

Rob: Nope. Playing down is a different expression that means something totally

different.

Helen: OK. So as the picture on my TV at home is flickering, I can say my TV is

playing up?

Rob: Exactly. Let's hear about some other things that are playing up…

Example

I don't think I'll be able to give you a lift to work today, my car's been playing up.

My phone keeps playing up. Every time I dial a number, it just switches itself off.

Helen: That sounds like my phone! So if something isn't doing what is should do then

it's misbehaving?

Rob: Ha Ha! Well, you could say that. It's just like people. When they misbehave we

can say they're playing up. Like this…

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Example

Sorry but I'm going to be late. The children have been playing up and I've still got so much to

do.

Helen: Children are very good at playing up; it's usually because they want attention.

Rob: Now, Helen, could I have your attention now please because playing up is

also something you can say to describe a part of your body that's not working

properly.

Example

Ow! I'm going to have to lie down; my back's playing up again.

Count me out of this weekend's football match; my leg's playing up so I need to rest it.

Helen: So it seems playing up refers to anything that's not working or behaving as it

should. Now Rob, my leg's also been playing up so I wonder if you could

give me a lift home in your car?

Rob: No way – oh it looks like my microphone's playing up now!

Helen: No Rob, it's you who's playing up – now switch it back on!

Rob: Oh, oh OK then Helen!

Helen: Let's go then. Bye!

Rob: Bye.

Get Lost!

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Rob: Hello and welcome to the English We Speak. I'm Rob.

Helen: And hello, I'm Helen. And today we've decided to come outside for a walk in

the beautiful English countryside.

Rob: Mmmm, smell the wonderful fresh air. Isn't it great to be outdoors?

Helen: Oh, well it was…but not now it's raining. Come on Rob, I think we should

head back.

Rob: Hold on Helen. Not that way! According to the map, it's this way…

Helen: Rob, you're always wrong. Just follow me but hurry up; we're getting wet.

Rob: Oh, get lost!

Helen: Get lost? We are lost!

Rob: No Helen – get lost – I mean go away, leave me alone. Don't tell me the way

to go.

Helen: That's not a very nice thing to say.

Rob: Well, it's what you can say to someone if they're really annoying you. So go

away, get lost!

Helen: OK, if you say so. I'm off. See you back at the car!

Rob: I'll get there first! OK, here are some other examples of using 'get lost':

Example

I'm tired of hearing about how you know everything. Just get lost!

Get lost! I'm having a break so don't disturb me.

You say you climbed Mount Everest on your own?! Get lost, I don't believe you.

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Rob: Mmm, saying get lost is quite impolite so you need to be careful how you say it

and who you say it to. Maybe I was a bit rude to Helen. Helen, Helen, come

back…I didn't mean to be so rude.

Helen: …well you weren't being very nice. Anyway, I was going to come back and

find you.

Rob: And why was that Helen?

Helen: Because I got lost. I needed the map!

Rob: Ha. Well, here it is. Come on follow me.

Helen: OK Rob. See you next time.

Both: Bye.

Rob: Right, it's definitely this way.

Helen: Are you sure?

Rob: Yes, that's what the map says.

Helen: Rob you've got the map upside down!

Smoothie

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Neil: Hello and welcome to The English We Speak, I'm Neil.

Li: And I'm Li. Neil what are you drinking? Whatever it is, it sounds very

refreshing.

Neil: Ah yes it is, Li. It's so fruity and refreshing.

Li: What kind of juice is it?

Neil: Oh it's not juice, it's a smoothie.

Li: A smoothie?

Neil: Yeah, a smoothie. The fruit is blended rather than squeezed.

Li: Oh I see. A smoothie is a fruit drink made from blended fruit rather than

squeezed fruit.

Neil: And it sometimes has ice, ice cream or yoghurt in it too. Try it Li.

Li: Oh thank you. Oh it's delicious.

Neil: How would you describe the texture?

Li: Well, it's very thick and… smooth.

Neil: Exactly. And that's where the name comes from.

Li: It's called a smoothie because its texture is smooth.

Insert

A: Right, who wants a drink? I fancy a cup of coffee.

B: Yeah but it's way too hot for coffee. Can I have one of those smoothies?

A: Oh that's an idea. I think I'll have one too, if I have enough money.

Neil: Well, it's all gone now.

Li: Oh that's a shame.

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Neil: Yes… No more smoothie... Shame…

Li: Oh well.

Neil: (Pause) Li, have you had your hair done? It really suits you.

Li: Oh thanks, Neil.

Neil: No, really. It suits your face. Actually, you're looking great at the moment. I

like that outfit.

Li: Oh Neil…

Neil: I'd really love another smoothie, but I've just run out of money.

Li: Don't worry, I'll get you one.

Neil: Oh thanks! I can be such a smoothie sometimes…

Li: Yes you can… Smoothie is not just a word for a drink.

Neil: That's right. It's also an adjective describing a man who can persuade people

to do things for him by being charming.

Li: I wondered why he was paying me so many compliments.

Neil: A smoothie for the smoothie, please Li.

Li: OK, OK…

The creeps

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Neil: Hello and welcome to The English We Speak, I'm Neil (demonic laughter).

Li: And I'm Li. (scream)

Neil: It's Halloween time, so we have a special, scary edition of the programme

today (more demonic laughter).

Li: That's right. It wouldn't be Halloween without something scary for you.

(More screaming).

Neil: Today we want to give you the creeps!

Li: Give them what?!

Neil: The creeps. To give somebody the creeps.

Li: To give somebody the creeps. This means to make someone feel nervous or

scared.

Neil: (More demonic laughter)

Li: Stop it Neil! You're giving me the creeps.

Insert

Man: (whispering) What's that noise?

Woman: What noise?

Man: Those footsteps… shh... listen…

Woman: I can't hear anything. Stop it! You're giving me the creeps.

Li: That man thought he could hear footsteps in the house they're in. It made the

woman scared. She said 'You're giving me the creeps.'

Neil: What gives you the creeps, Li?

Li: Oh I hate horror films. Some people find them entertaining but they just scare

me.

Neil: Yeah, they always give me the creeps too.

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Li: What else gives you the creeps, Neil?

Neil: I really, really hate cockroaches. The way they disappear when you turn a

light on. And the fact it's so hard to kill them. They just give me the creeps.

Li: Oh no, I don't like cockroaches either..

Neil: Urgh… just thinking about them gives me the creeps.

Li: I'm scared of spiders! They give me the creeps.

Neil: This music gives me the creeps.

Li: Yeah and that laugh gives me the creeps (demonic laughter).

Neil: That scream gives me the creeps (scream).

Sponger

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Neil: Hello and welcome to The English We Speak, I'm Neil.

Li: And I'm Li. Neil, is that a new watch?

Neil: Yes I got it from my parents.

Li: Oh that's nice.

Neil: Did I tell you I'm going on holiday soon?

Li: No, where?

Neil: To Hawaii.

Li: Wow, how can you afford a holiday to Hawaii?

Neil: My in-laws paid for it. We told them it was too expensive but, you know, we

just need a holiday.

Li: Hmm… so your in-laws have paid for your holiday too…

Neil: I'm thinking of giving up work actually, Li.

Li: Giving up work? What about the cost of living?

Neil: Oh my wife can work. You know what, Li? I really need to move into a

bigger house in a nicer part of London.

Li: But you just said you're going to give up work! How can you afford a new

house if you have no job?

Neil: My grandparents will give me some money. They always do.

Li: Neil, there's a word for people like you. You're a sponger!

Neil: A sponger!? How rude!

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Example

A: When I was at university I had no money at all. I had to buy second-hand clothes and I

could never afford to go out for a meal even though I had a part-time job.

B: Yeah me too, but there were all these other students with cars and designer labels eating in

expensive restaurants all paid for by Daddy.

A: What a bunch of spongers.

B: Yeah.

Li: A sponger is a person who gets money, food and other things from other

people without paying. Often it's used very negatively to describe people who

live off state benefits.

Neil: Just like a sponge.

Li: Yes, a sponge.

Neil: A sponge soaks up the water all around it. A sponger soaks up gifts, food and

money without working. And it can also be used as a verb – to sponge off

someone.

Li: It's also a verb 'to sponge off someone.' Be careful to use the word 'off' with

this verb.

Neil: Whether it's a verb or a noun, it's still not a nice thing to say about someone,

Li.

Li: Well I'm sorry to be rude, but it's true – you are a sponger.

Neil: You're right. I'm a sponger but I'm proud of it. Do you fancy taking me out

for dinner? There's a fantastic restaurant I've been meaning to go to. It's very

expensive, but you can afford it Li.

Li: He's trying to sponge a meal off me! What a sponger…

Lairy

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Neil: Hello and welcome to The English We Speak, I'm Neil.

Li: And I'm Li. Did you stay much longer last night at the office party?

Neil: Yes I did. After you left we went on to a bar in the City.

Li: Oh sounds good! We had an office party last night. I left early but Neil and a

few colleagues went on to a bar in the city of London – the financial district.

How was it?

Neil: Actually it was pretty bad. There were all these traders getting drunk and

shouting a lot about their cars and expensive clothes and holidays. You know,

they were just really lairy.

Li: They were what?

Neil: Lairy.

Li: Lairy. This adjective is used to describe people, usually men, behaving in a

loud, excited and slightly aggressive way. So it wasn't much fun?

Neil: No, they made it miserable for everyone else in the place, to be honest.

Li: So the bar was full of drunk and noisy men. They were talking loudly about

their expensive things. They sound very lairy. Here's another example of the

word.

Example

A: Shall we go shopping in Kensington on Saturday afternoon?

B: I'd love to but I hate getting the Tube to Kensington on a Saturday. It's always full of lairy

Chelsea fans on their way to the football.

A: Yes, you're right. It's really scary when they're so drunk and shouting and singing. How

about somewhere else?

Neil: Those women don't want to get the Tube near the Chelsea football ground on

a Saturday because the fans travelling to the stadium are often drunk and

shouting and singing. They're lairy.

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Li: Yes, I've been in that situation too. It's not much fun. So, this word 'lairy': is it

common?

Neil: I'd say it's quite common, but slang. And you wouldn't often write it. But

you'll hear British and Australian people using it; especially in the situations

we've talked about.

Li: Anything else I need to know?

Neil: Yes, you should use the word in combination with 'blokes'. This is British

slang meaning 'men'.

Li: Lairy blokes.

Neil: That's right. That's all from us, but we'll leave you with the sound of lairy

blokes watching football.

Li: Bye!

(Angry football crowd)

Nailed it

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Neil: Oh… the programme has started …. Hello and welcome to The English We

Speak, I'm Neil. And… just bear with me because the clock has just fallen off

the wall and I have to put it back again…

Li: And I am Li. Now, Li, the writer! I've nailed it, Neil!

Neil: Oh, have you? But the nail was loose because, you see, the clock fell off the

wall and I have to nail it back up again.

Li: Stop this noise please, Neil! I have just told you that I've nailed it! You

should say: Congratulations!

Neil: What have you nailed then? Was it that picture over there? Was it the map in

the corner? Well, to be fair none of them have fallen to the floor… yet!

Li: No, I got my poetry book accepted by a publisher and I am going to be a

writer? I've nailed it!

Neil: Oh, congratulations, Li! I am impressed with your skills as a poet! We say

someone nailed something when they have achieved something or performed

a task successfully.

Examples

· Mary finally got a job as a teacher. She went for the job interview and has nailed it!

· Chess is a difficult game to play. I wish I could nail it but I just can't!

· The final exam was not easy but my cousin nailed it and got a place at university.

· Congratulations to him. He's nailed it!

Li: So, there you go, I have written poetry since I was a little girl. Then I decided

to send it to a publisher and he accepted it!

Neil: That's all very nice, Li and I'm happy for you. I hope that you don't mind my

hammering this nail though. I have to get the clock fixed to the wall as soon

as possible.

Li: Yeah, go ahead. Hammer away if you need to but…the rhythm of the

hammering inspires me to do some poetry. What rhymes with hammer…?

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Neil: What do you mean?

Li: I am officially a poet now and everything inspires me to write my poetry. So

hammer rhymes with…

Neil: … grammar.

Li: Oh, yes!

Neil: And we have to do it quickly because we have to prepare our English

teaching programme.

Li: To the wall you hammer it all…

Clock, picture, a proud banner...

To the brain you fix with no pain...

Verb… noun… adjective…and English grammar....

Neil: You have really nailed it Li! Clock fixed and everything, let's go and prepare

our programmes. Bye for now.

Li: Goodbye.

Head over heels

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Neil: Hello and welcome to The English We Speak, I'm Neil and … I am waiting

for Li.

Li: Ouch. And I'm Li, here on the floor. I went head over heels but…but I'm

ready to present the programme, Neil.

Neil: Are you okay, Li? Let me help you up.

Li: Thank you. I appreciate you helping me to stand up.

Neil: I am sorry that you fell over like that. You sounded so cheerful… so you are

head over heels Li? Who is the lucky guy?

Li: The lucky guy? What do you mean, Neil?

Neil: Well, the one you are head over heels in love with. Is it anyone I know?

Li: Anyone you know? I don't know what you are talking about, Neil. I've just

fallen flat on my face…

Neil: You said that you are head over heels. This is an expression we use in English

to say that you had such a dramatic fall that your head was over your feet and

we use it when we want to say that someone fell madly in love.

Li: Oh, that's when we say that someone has fallen head over heels for another

person.

Neil: You can also imagine you are a gymnast doing somersaults or cartwheels.

Your head goes literally over your heels.

Li: Yeah…It makes sense: when you are in love it might mean that you are so

happy that you feel like jumping around.

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Examples

They met at a dinner party and fell head over heels for each other.

He is gorgeous! I am head over heels in love with him!

She is a hopeless romantic: she is always head over heels in love with somebody.

Neil: So, who is it Li? Who have you fallen head over heels in love with? I promise

I won't tell a soul.

Li: Neil, I came here very excited to present a programme with you but I must

say that now my head hurts…

Neil: Your head hurts?

Li: … my feet are sore…

Neil: Your feet are sore? What's been going on?

Li: … but I am certainly not in love with this bin that made me fall over.

Neil: Oh… Okay. So no juicy gossip for us today. Well, we'd better say goodbye.

Li: No juicy gossip! And let's finish the programme because I'd better go and

have an aspirin. Bye!

Sinking feeling

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Sinking Feeling

Li: Hello and welcome to The English We Speak. I'm Li.

Neil: And I'm Neil. Li, let me tell you about this strange dream I had

yesterday… we weren't here. We were somewhere else, in another

country…

(Sound of dreamy music)

Neil: We were lucky to find these cheap tickets and fly here to the United

States, weren't we? This is a wonderful place, Li.

Li: Yes, this is a wonderful place!

Neil: …where we found a boat and decided to sail on this river! Blue sky, blue

water… Don't you feel at one with nature, Li?

Li: Of course, yes, I do feel in harmony with nature. But we have been

sailing for a while now and I'm not sure where we are… Where are we,

Neil?

Neil: I'm not sure either. What I can say is that… this boat is rocking a lot, isn't

it? …

Li: Yes, but it must be normal.

Neil: … and I must confess I'm not a very strong swimmer…

Li: Don't think about it Neil, just admire the view.

Neil: But I have a sinking feeling!

Li: Asinking feeling Neil?! What's going on? Are your feet wet? Can you see

water coming into the boat?

Neil: No, there's no water in the boat. Having a sinking feeling is what you say

in English when you realise something bad is happening or about to

happen.

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Examples

Man 1: I bought shares in that company but the stock market has just crashed! I have a

sinking feeling that I've lost all my money!

Woman: The meal in this restaurant was very tasty but I have a sinking feeling that I've

forgotten my wallet at home and I don't have money to pay the bill!

Man 2: Oh the main player in the team has just got a red card! I've a sinking feeling that

my team is going to lose this match!

Li: So, what is this sinking feeling that you have, Neil? If it's not the boat,

what is it?

Neil: Well, while we were admiring the view a few minutes ago I saw a sign

over there on the bank of the river that said: Niagara Falls. I've heard

this name somewhere and I don't think it's good. I don't remember why

but…

Li: What?! Niagara Falls! Did you say that? It has a vertical drop of some 50

metres, Neil! Do you know that?

Neil: Yes, now I remember! I saw it in a movie! I have a sinking feeling! Grab

this life jacket, Li!

Li: Thank you. Now I have a sinking feeling too!

Neil: Here we goooooooooooooooo!

Li: Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!

(Sound of alarm clock)

Neil: And that's when I woke up, Li.

Li: That's good, Neil. But now I have a sinking feeling.

Neil: Why is that?

Li: We have been so distracted chatting about your dream that we've missed

our train and we will be late for work! Let's run and get a taxi. Bye!

Neil: Bye!

Work for peanuts

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Li: Hello and welcome to The English We Speak, I'm Li. And here with me is

Neil. Hi Neil!

Neil: Hi Li! But before we start the programme I've got some good news for

you. I've just fixed your bike tyres as I promised! It wasn't easy to find

the punctures on them but I managed to do it and the bike, I have to say,

is as good as new!

Li: Oh, great! I am so happy, Neil! You know, I use the bicycle every day. I

ride it when I come to work and when I go home. You know, I took it to

the mechanic last week to have it fixed and he didn't do it properly.

Thank you! You are a star!

Neil: It wasn't easy but I am glad to have been of service. Well, you told me

that you'd pay me for the work so now would be a good time to do that

because actually I am a bit short of cash at the moment, you know.

Li: Oh, you want to receive some payment? Yes, I remember that I promised

you'd get paid. That's fair. Okay. Here you are!

Neil: What are these?

Li: Your payment, Neil.

Neil: Peanuts?!

Li: Yes, Neil. You keep saying that there are people who work for peanuts!

Neil: Yes I have said that on occasions but it's got nothing to do with food! To

work for peanuts is an expression in English that means to work for a

very small payment.

Li: Now you tell me, Neil! So people are not really paid in peanuts, are they?

Neil: No, they are not! Just think. A peanut is something small and cheap.

Insert

Woman 1: My cousin is a catwalk model and she travels all over the world!

Woman 2: She must be a millionaire!

Woman 1: Yes, she is! But before she became famous she used to work for peanuts! She

could hardly buy a lipstick.

………

Man: I am going to ask for a pay rise. I am tired of working for peanuts!

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Li: Oh, I am sorry, Neil, when you said that some people work for peanuts I

thought you wanted to be paid in peanuts!

Neil: That's alright Li. But now that you know that I don't work for peanuts will

you give me some money?

Li: Yes, of course I will. I left my wallet in my drawer in the office but as

soon as we finish this programme I'll pay you with cash. So give me back

my peanuts then.

Neil: (sound of chewing)

Li: Neil, the peanuts! I am hungry!

Neil: I am hungry too and these peanuts taste great!

Li: I know they do. You know, I bought them in the new grocery shop around

the corner.

Neil: Don't worry, Li. As soon as you pay me we can go down there and I'll buy

you some of these delicious peanuts myself.

Li: Okay. I don't work for peanuts either but I am glad to eat some. Let's go

then.

Neil: (sound of monkey) I want more peanuts! (sound of monkey)

Li: So do I, Neil, but why are you making this odd noise? You sound like a

monkey!

Neil: Well, you know what they say: if you pay peanuts you get monkeys.

Li: Okay, I got the message. Let's go. Bye!

Neil: (monkey noises)

Cheesy

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Neil: Hello and welcome to The English We Speak I'm Neil and with me today is

Li.

Li: Hi there I'm Li. Today's word is 'cheesy' and look here Neil, I've got

something cheesy for you!

Neil: Oh cheese crackers! Yummy… don't you like them?

Li: No I find them too cheesy. As I don't eat cheese, I find the flavour a bit

too strong.

Neil: I like cheese and I love all cheesy food. (Short pause) but I don't like this

music you're playing… it's too cheesy.

Li: Too cheesy? Do you mean the music is no good? It's Christmas…

Neil: Well it's all right for this time of the year and it goes with the festive

mood. But generally speaking it's too predicable, cheap and cheerful.

Let's listen to a couple of examples:

Examples

A: Would you like to go to the pantomime next week, thought it'd be fun.

B: Em… I know children love it but I find it a bit too cheesy. I used to love it as a kid.

A: Hi everyone I am organising our Christmas dinner. How about going back to The

Cheshire Cheese pub?

B: The food was excellent, but you know what? The music there was a bit too cheesy,

A: Cheesy? Of course. Maybe that's why the pub is called ' The Cheshire Cheese'.

Li: The second speaker there came across as a bit snobbish, don't you think?

Neil: Yes the word does have a slightly negative connotation, something too

superficial and simple and …

Li: Not deep and sophisticated?

Neil: No.

Li: I see. Remember what you said about the music I’m playing? So you

mean my taste in music is not very sophisticated?

Neil: No, don't get me wrong. It's only that one particular piece because I've

heard it so many times. Well I must say that your taste in clothes is

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fabulous. (Pause to get a closer look) Is this a new coat? Never seen it

before?

Li: Yes?

Neil: I think the bright colours suit you really well, your face is lit up and you

look very… attractive… and… charming… and….

Li: Oh, stop it Neil. I never knew you can be so cheesy! Come on, please

have some cheese crackers and that'll stop your cheesy compliments…

Neil: Li, you're blushing!

Li: Bye for now.

Neil: Bye.

All the trimmings

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Rob: Hello! I'm Rob. And it's Christmas!

Helen: Hello Rob!

Rob: Hello Helen! Happy Christmas!

Helen: Happy Christmas! Rob, you always get so excited on Christmas Day.

Rob: Come in, come in!

Helen: Thank you.

Helen: Wowwwwwwwwww!

Rob: So, what do you think?

Helen: That's amazing.... so many decorations - and what a beautiful Christmas

tree! You must have spent ages doing this! It's beautiful!

Rob: I like to do Christmas with all the trimmings!

Helen: All the trimmings? I don't understand.

Rob: All the trimmings – it means all the extra things that traditionally come

with something to make it more special.

Helen: I see. Like all these decorations?

Rob: Yes. In my family, we have always had Christmas with all the trimmings,

so we have a Christmas tree, decorations, gifts, Christmas songs, silly

Christmas games and, most importantly, Christmas lunch - come this way!

Helen: A turkey for lunch!

Rob: Now that is a roast turkey with all the trimmings! Not only is it a turkey,

but we're eating it with all the things you traditionally eat with Christmas

roast turkey: cranberry sauce, roast potatoes, gravy, stuffing, carrots-

Helen: Mmm, I'm very hungry now!

Rob: All the trimmings!

Helen: I think I understand what 'all the trimmings' means now.

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Rob: It's an expression usually used with food, especially at Christmas and for

the big roast dinners that we like to eat here in Britain. I adore Sunday

lunch with all the trimmings: roast meat, along with lots of vegetables and

sauces and other traditional accompaniments. Mmmmm....

Helen: Mmm...

Rob: But you can also use this expression in other situations:

Examples

A:When I get married, I want a perfect wedding with all the trimmings.

B:Stay in our beach-side hotel, where you will enjoy all the trimmings of a luxury

holiday.

Rob: Anyway, enough talk! Let's eat!

Helen: Delicious. Thank you for inviting me.

Rob: It's a pleasure!

Helen: I would like you to join me for next Chinese New Year.

Rob: Wow! Thank you!

Helen: There'll be fish, dumplings, lanterns, dragons and firecrackers - all the

trimmings.

Rob: Well cheers to that and Happy Christmas – with all the trimmings!

Helen: Happy Christmas!

Bubbly

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(Background jolly party ambiance)

Helen: Hello Finn. This is a fantastic party.

Finn: Oh, hello Helen, thanks.

Helen: You look worried. What's the matter? It's New Year's Eve, you should be

enjoying yourself. What's wrong?

Finn: Nothing, nothing!

Helen: Are you sure?

Finn: I'm quite sure. Oh god, what'll I do?

Helen: What?

Finn: It's all right, Helen, don't tell anyone, but-

Helen: Yes?

Finn: There's no bubbly!

Helen: What?

Finn: I've forgotten the bubbly!

Helen: Forgotten the bubbly?

(Big collective gasp)

Finn: Oh no... Ha ha, you've misunderstood.

Helen: I don't think I have misunderstood. Bubbly means champagne.

Champagne is called bubbly because it has lots of bubbles in it, lots of gas.

You said you had forgotten the bubbly.

Finn: No, no, no. Ha ha ha. I didn't say that. I said I'd forgotten the... the er... I

said I'd forgotten you looked lovely, Helen.

Helen: Oh. Thank you. So there is champagne?

Finn: Yes, yes, of course. Of course, of course, of course.

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Helen: That's a relief. Champagne is the traditional drink for New Year's Eve in

Britain. Everyone counts down to midnight, then they say 'cheers' and

drink champagne. It really would be a disaster if Finn had forgotten it.

Party voices: 10...9...8...

Helen: Oh, the countdown has started! Where's Finn? He must have gone to get

the champagne.

(Countdown continues)

Helen: He'd better hurry up!

Party voices: Happy New Year!

Helen: Where is Finn!

Party voice 1: Where IS the bubbly then?

Helen: Oh dear! I can't find Finn anywhere!

Party voice 2: Yes, where IS the bubbly?

Party voice 3: Don't tell me there's no champagne!

Helen: Finn? Where are you?

Finn: Oh dear. I must run for my life, they'll be so cross! I'm sorry! I'm sorry!

I'm sorry, Helen! Happy New Year!