Feifei Hello everyone. This is The English We Speak with me, Feifei…
Rob…. and me, Rob. Hey, Feifei, do you need me to order you a pizza?
FeifeiWhy would I want you to order me a pizza when we are presenting a programme?
Rob Go on! Just say ‘pizza’ and my new smartphone will instantly order one for you.
Feifei Oh, I see. I know you’ve got a new and very expensive smartphone, Rob, but I’m quite happy using my bog-standard dumbphone.
Rob ‘Bog-standard’! You mean it’s basic, ordinary and unexceptional?
FeifeiI do, Rob. It’s a strange expression and nobody really knows its origins.
Rob Well, I think it’s got something to do with the English slang for toilet – bog – which is where your ‘old’ phone should be!
Feifei Thanks, Rob. Shall we hear some ‘bog-standard’ examples now?
ExamplesI’ve got a bog-standard computer, but it’s fine for just sending emails and surfing the internet.
Sorry you got a low mark in your homework, but to be honest, it was bog-standard.
I found the new film bog-standard – it lacked the action and special effects I was expecting.
FeifeiThis is The English We Speak from BBC Learning English, and we’re learning about the phrase ‘bog-standard’, which describes things that are basic, ordinary and unexceptional.
Rob Yes, like your basic mobile phone.
FeifeiOh, is that a message on your new, shiny, very expensive smartphone?
RobYes, yes, it is. It’s my first bill for my new phone…. Let’s have a look. What?! How much! Oh!
Feifei Oh dear, Rob. It’s not such a new, shiny phone now, is it?
RobOh no, how are we going to order a pizza now?
FeifeiOn my ‘bog-standard’ phone? Here, just press the numbers and you can actually talk to someone.
Rob No, I’m not hungry now.
FeifeiBye!
Neil Bye!