Confused by modern idioms? - 6 Minute English

Summary

In this episode of 6 Minute English, hosts Rob and Sam discuss the evolution of modern idioms influenced by the internet, TV, and movies. They explain idioms like 'spend a penny' (go to the toilet), 'Groundhog Day' (repetitive situations), 'break the internet' (online excitement causing website crashes), and 'first-world problems' (minor issues compared to global struggles). The episode highlights how language evolves through media and social trends, while classic idioms like 'throw in the towel' from boxing remain part of everyday speech.

Takeaways

• 😀 'Spend a penny' is an old-fashioned idiom meaning 'go to the toilet'.
• 😄 Language evolves quickly, with new idioms frequently emerging from the internet, TV, and social media.
• 😎 The idiom 'throw in the towel', meaning 'give up', originates from the sport of boxing.
• 🤔 'Groundhog Day' has become an idiom meaning 'a situation where the same events repeat', similar to déjà vu.
• 😆 Many modern idioms, such as 'break the internet', have emerged from the digital age and internet culture.
• 😊 Social media platforms like Twitter have contributed to idioms like 'first-world problems', referring to trivial issues in comparison to more serious global problems.
• 📽️ Movies often contribute to idiomatic expressions, as seen with 'Groundhog Day' becoming part of everyday language.
• 🌍 'Ubiquitous' is used to describe something that seems to be everywhere, like modern idioms in daily life.
• 🔗 Native speakers typically develop full knowledge of idioms by the age of 30-40, though many are learned through cultural exposure over time.
• 🏆 The idiom 'throw in the towel' comes from boxing, where a coach would throw a towel into the ring to surrender.

Q & A

What does the idiom 'spend a penny' mean?

'Spend a penny' is an old-fashioned British idiom meaning 'to go to the toilet.' It comes from the time when public toilets required a penny to unlock the door.

Why did Rob say that Sam is showing his age when using the idiom 'spend a penny'?

Rob said this because the idiom 'spend a penny' is old-fashioned and not commonly known or used by younger generations today.

What is the origin of the idiom 'throw in the towel'?

The idiom 'throw in the towel' originates from boxing. It means 'to give up' or 'surrender' and comes from the practice of a coach throwing a towel into the ring when a boxer can no longer continue.

How has language changed with the influence of the internet and media?

Language has evolved with the influence of the internet and media, leading to the creation of new idioms like 'break the internet' and 'first-world problems,' which reflect modern-day experiences and cultural shifts.

What does the idiom 'Groundhog Day' mean and where did it come from?

The idiom 'Groundhog Day' means a situation where the same events repeat in exactly the same way. It comes from the movie 'Groundhog Day,' where the main character relives the same day over and over.

What does it mean to 'break the internet'?

To 'break the internet' means to cause so much excitement online that many people rush to a website at once, potentially overwhelming it and causing it to crash.

What is the meaning of the idiom 'first-world problems'?

'First-world problems' refers to trivial problems that are insignificant compared to more serious issues faced by people in poorer parts of the world. It originated from a hashtag used on Twitter.

Why did Gareth Carrol become interested in modern idioms?

Gareth Carrol became interested in modern idioms when he realized that he didn't understand many of the expressions his students were using in everyday speech, prompting him to explore where these idioms come from.

What does the term 'ubiquitous' mean, as used in the context of idioms?

'Ubiquitous' means something that seems to appear everywhere. In the context of idioms, it refers to expressions or phrases that become widespread and commonly used in many contexts.

At what age do native speakers typically have a full knowledge of idioms?

Native speakers typically develop a full knowledge of idioms by the age of 30 to 40, as idiomatic expressions take longer to fully learn and integrate into everyday language use.