Feifei Hello and welcome to The English We Speak. I’m Feifei.
Roy And I’m Roy! Did you watch the latest episode of the hit soap, ‘A duck between a rock and a hard place’?
Feifei No, I haven’t watched the latest episode yet.
Roy It was epic! Spoiler alert - it turns out that Martin wasn’t really a duck, but actually Bob, the evil twin brother of the magnificent unicorn Flim-Flam.
Feifei What!? I can’t believe you ruined the story for me with that spoiler! I’ve been watching them, and now you have told me the big ending for the story!
Roy But I did say ‘spoiler alert’ before I told you! And don’t worry – there’s going to be another episode tonight, because - spoiler alert! - the evil unicorn, Bob, didn’t die at the end!
Feifei Roy! That’s another thing you’ve told me! Just because you say ‘spoiler alert!’ doesn’t mean you can tell me everything that happens!
Roy Sorry, Feifei. I promise I won’t tell you any other spoilers. Let’s listen to these examples.
Examples Martina told me a massive secret that happens in the book, and she forgot to say ‘spoiler alert!’ I’m so annoyed with her!
Next time you give me a spoiler, make sure you say ‘spoiler alert’ beforehand!
I hate spoilers! They ruin films for me, but when I watch a video on social media and I hear someone say ‘spoiler alert’, I turn it straight off.
Feifei This is The English We Speak from BBC Learning English and we’re talking about the expression ‘spoiler alert’. We say this as a warning when we’re going to reveal part of the story of a film, book or TV series. I hate when people give me ‘spoilers’.
Roy Yes, spoilers can ruin the story for someone. I’m sorry, Feifei. I shouldn’t have given you any spoilers.
Feifei Well, after you say ‘spoiler alert’ – you need to give me more time before you tell me what happened.
Roy Sorry, I will do. Well, I suppose we’re now even for all the times you’ve told us secrets about films and series! You never even say ‘spoiler alert’.
Feifei Well, Roy. Did you get the email from me earlier?
Roy No, why? What did it say?
Feifei Spoiler alert – you have to work the weekend because I’m going to the spa.
Roy What, not again!? Bye, Feifei!
Feifei Bye.