Jiaying Welcome to The English We Speak with me, Jiaying…
Roy … and me, Roy. I really like your jumper – is that a vampire on the front?
Jiaying Yes, it is! I slay!
Roy I’m sorry? You do what?!
Jiaying I said that I slay – when you look this amazing, you are going to slay!
Roy Whoa! Wait there a second. Are you saying you are going to kill vampires? I thought they weren’t real!
Jiaying No, Roy! I know that ‘slay’ can mean ‘kill’, but it can also mean ‘to be amazing’ or ‘impressive’. For example, I read a great book last night - it slays!
Roy So you’re not Jiaying the Vampire Slayer then? That makes more sense! Well, your jumper is awesome, so yes – it slays!
Jiaying Exactly! Well, let’s talk about more things that slay after these examples.
Examples He looks amazing today! He’s wearing a really smart suit – he slays!
Their house is incredible – decorated with true style and taste! And don’t get me started on the furniture – it slays!
She really slayed last night at the award ceremony – she looked amazing!
Jiaying You’re listening to The English We Speak from BBC Learning English, and we’re talking about the word ‘slay’. If someone or something slays, they look amazing or very impressive.
Roy Yes, for example, last night I watched a great film about vampires. It slays! I think that was why I was so scared earlier!
Jiaying Well, don’t worry – hey, do you know what else slays? My amazing smile!
Roy Your teeth – they’re really sharp! You have fangs! Wait! Are you a vampire?
Jiaying Of course I’m not! Fooled you! They’re not my real teeth, they’re just a toy! But they look really realistic – they slay!
Roy Wow, that’s the second time you’ve tricked me today! You’re hilarious! What are you drinking?
Jiaying Just a fruit smoothie! It’s delicious! It slays!
Roy It’s really red! Are you sure that’s a fruit smoothie?
Jiaying Definitely – what else could it be? Bye, Roy!
Roy Bye!