|
Summary Feifei can’t decide where she wants to sit, and Neil is getting annoyed. But how is this connected to a little girl from a traditional fairy tale? Be decisive, and learn how to use this phrase with us. Transcript Feifei So this is it, Neil - the cafe I wanted to try for breakfast. Neil Looks lovely, Feifei! Let’s get a table. Feifei How about this one by the window? Neil Great. Feifei Nah, bit too bright. How about this one in the corner? Neil Looks good. Feifei Bit too dark. And this one is close to the coffee machine… No, too noisy. Erm, what about…? Neil Feifei. Are you going to keep Goldilocksing all day? Or can we actually order some breakfast?! Feifei Goldilocksing? You mean like Goldilocks? Oh, I see what you mean! Sorry, Neil. Neil Yes, let’s just sit right here while I explain. The phrase comes from a fairy tale about a little girl called Goldilocks. One day she finds an empty house in the forest. In the kitchen there are three bowls of porridge. She tries them one by one. The first one is too hot, the second one is too cold, and the third one is just right. Feifei She takes a long time to decide which one she likes. Oh, and then she chooses a chair to sit on, doesn’t she? Neil Yes, and that takes a long time too. And finally she sees three beds… and takes a long time to choose which one to sleep in! Feifei So, you’re saying I’m like Goldilocks - slowly deciding which table to sit at, trying to find the perfect one? Neil Exactly. And I’m hungry. And you know what happens to Goldilocks? Feifei Yes. The house belongs to three bears, and they come home while she’s asleep. OK, let’s play some examples, while we start looking at the menu. It might take… a long time. Examples Ling, can you stop Goldilocksing and just decide what to drink? Happy hour is almost finished! Juan took a Goldilocks approach to decorating his apartment – everything had to be just right. They say our planet is in the Goldilocks zone – it’s not too hot and not too cold to support life. It’s just the right temperature. Feifei You're listening to The English We Speak from BBC Learning English. Our word is 'Goldilocks'. So, in those examples we heard Goldilocksing as a verb: Ling was Goldilocksing. Neil And as an adjective: a Goldilocks approach, the Goldilocks zone. Feifei Anyway, Neil, have you decided what to eat? Neil Er, actually… not yet! Feifei Now who’s the Goldilocks?! Let me order for both of us. Two bowls of porridge please! Neil And not too hot! Feifei Bye. Neil Bye. |
|
|
