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.

Outlines

00:00

💬 Introducing Modern Idioms

In this episode of 6 Minute English, Rob and Sam discuss the evolution of language and the introduction of modern idioms, many of which have emerged from the internet, TV, and social media. Sam uses the phrase 'spend a penny,' meaning 'go to the toilet,' an idiom from a time when public toilets required a penny to enter. This leads to a conversation about how language evolves, with old phrases fading and new ones, like 'raring to go,' taking their place. Rob also quizzes Sam about the origin of the idiom 'throw in the towel,' which comes from boxing, meaning 'to surrender.'

05:01

🎬 The Influence of Movies and the Internet on Modern Idioms

Dr. Gareth Carrol, an expert on idioms, is introduced as the author of a book on modern expressions. He shares that one of the most significant sources of new idioms is movies, citing 'Groundhog Day' as an example. The film's concept of repeating the same day became a metaphor for recurring situations. Dr. Carrol explains how expressions like these become ubiquitous, embedded in daily language, with many students recognizing the idiom but not its origin. Movies like 'Groundhog Day' contribute to modern idioms, paralleling older phrases like 'déjà vu.'

🌐 The Role of the Internet in Creating New Idioms

Dr. Gareth Carrol discusses how the internet has given rise to a plethora of modern idioms. The phrase 'breaking the internet' is now widely recognized, meaning causing so much online traffic that a website crashes. The internet and social media have also popularized terms like 'go viral' and 'first-world problems.' Carrol highlights how Twitter played a major role in the creation of these idioms, which reflect the fast-paced nature of online communication.

🥊 Recap of Idioms: Old and New

Rob confirms that Sam's answer to the quiz question was correct: 'throw in the towel' originates from boxing, where a losing boxer’s coach throws a towel into the ring to signal surrender. The episode recaps several idioms discussed, including 'spend a penny,' 'Groundhog Day,' 'ubiquitous,' 'break the internet,' and 'first-world problem.' The hosts reflect on how language continuously evolves, with older idioms coexisting alongside new ones, many inspired by modern technology and cultural shifts. The program concludes with a farewell as their six minutes come to an end.

Keywords

💡Spend a penny

This idiom is an old-fashioned way of saying 'go to the toilet.' It comes from the time when public toilets required a penny to unlock the door. In the video, Sam uses it to highlight how idiomatic expressions change over time, and it introduces the discussion about how some idioms become outdated while new ones emerge.

💡Throw in the towel

This idiom originates from the sport of boxing, where a coach would throw a towel into the ring to signal surrender. It means 'to give up' or 'surrender' and is used in the video to discuss the origin of idioms from different areas, like sports. The host asks which sport gave birth to this idiom, and it is revealed that boxing is the correct answer.

💡Groundhog Day

This modern idiom comes from the 1993 movie *Groundhog Day*, where the main character experiences the same day repeatedly. The phrase now refers to a situation where the same events happen over and over again. Gareth Carrol explains in the video how many young people use this idiom without knowing its film origin, demonstrating how movies can influence everyday language.

💡Ubiquitous

The word 'ubiquitous' means something that seems to appear everywhere. In the video, Gareth Carrol talks about how certain idioms like 'Groundhog Day' become so widespread in modern language that they are used in a wide range of contexts. It shows how some terms gain universal understanding and usage over time.

💡Break the internet

This modern idiom refers to causing so much excitement or activity online that a website crashes due to high traffic. It reflects the influence of internet culture on language. Gareth Carrol explains how new idioms like this one are emerging from online and social media trends, showing how the internet shapes modern expressions.

💡Go viral

This phrase describes the rapid spread of content online, such as videos, memes, or news, through social media and other digital platforms. In the video, it is mentioned as an example of a modern idiom that remains in common usage, highlighting the internet's role in shaping contemporary language.

💡First-world problems

This idiom refers to trivial complaints or problems that seem insignificant compared to more serious issues faced in less privileged parts of the world. It started as a Twitter hashtag and has since become a common expression in everyday language. The video uses it as an example of how social media creates new idiomatic phrases.

💡Idioms

Idioms are expressions whose meanings are not immediately obvious from the individual words used. The video explores both traditional idioms (like 'throw in the towel') and modern ones (like 'break the internet'), emphasizing how language evolves over time through cultural and societal influences such as media and technology.

💡Déjà vu

This term is borrowed from French, meaning 'already seen.' It describes the sensation that something currently happening has been experienced before. In the video, 'Groundhog Day' is compared to déjà vu, since both refer to repetitive situations. This shows how idioms can often be tied to psychological or experiential concepts.

💡Language evolution

This refers to the process by which languages change over time, with new words and expressions entering the lexicon while others fade away. The video centers on this theme by exploring how modern idioms are created and adopted, especially through media, the internet, and popular culture. It underscores the dynamic nature of language.

Highlights

Introduction to the 6 Minute English podcast from BBC Learning English.

Explanation of the idiom 'spend a penny' meaning 'go to the toilet'.

Discussion on how language changes and new idioms are created through internet, TV, and social media.

Introduction of the idiom 'raring to go'.

Presentation of a question about the origin of the idiom 'throw in the towel'.

Mention of Dr. Gareth Carrol's book on the origins of modern idioms.

Explanation of how the movie title 'Groundhog Day' became an idiom.

Description of the idiom 'ubiquitous' meaning something that appears everywhere.

Discussion on how the internet has contributed to the creation of modern idioms.

Introduction of the idiom 'breaking the internet'.

Explanation of the term 'first-world problems' as trivial issues in comparison to global challenges.

Insight that a native speaker's full knowledge of idioms develops around the age of thirty to forty.

Reveal that 'throw in the towel' comes from boxing, where a coach would surrender by throwing a towel into the ring.

Recap of the idioms learned in the podcast.

Conclusion of the 6 Minute English podcast.

Transcripts

Hello.

This is 6 Minute English

from BBC Learning English.

I'm Rob.

And I'm Sam.

Can you wait

a second, Rob?

I have

to spend a penny.

What!

You're going shopping

now, are you?

We're just

about to start the programme!

No, no, I have to ... you

know, 'spend a penny'.

Haven't you heard that

expression before?

Spend a

penny means 'go to the

toilet'.

It's an old idiom

from the days when it

cost a penny to unlock the

door of a public toilet.

OK, I see.

Well, you're

showing your age there,

Sam - most young people

today wouldn't know what

that phrase meant, and

there aren't many public

toilets left

nowadays anyway.

Language changes fast,

and new words and phrases

are being created all

the time.

In this

programme, we'll be

learning some modern

idioms - new expressions

that have been introduced

to English through the

internet, TV and social

media.

And of course,

we'll be learning their

meanings a well.

Great, I'm 'raring

to go' - another idiom

there.

But first, as

usual, I have a question

for you, Sam.

Many

well-known idioms come

from the world of sport,

for example 'throw in

the towel' which means

'give up', or 'surrender'.

But which sport does

the idiom 'throw in the

towel' come from?

Is it:

a) football?

b) tennis?

or c) boxing?

I think I know this one.

It's c) boxing.

OK, Sam.

I'll reveal

the answer at the end

of the programme, so

just hold your horses

for now!

Ah, another idiom there,

Rob - hold your horses

meaning 'stop and think

for a moment'.

That's an

idiom that Gareth Carrol

might teach his university

students.

Dr Carrol is

the author of a new book,

'Dropping the Mic and

Jumping the Shark: Where

Do Modern Idioms Come From?'

He became interested in

idioms when he realised

that he didn't know many

of the expressions his

students used in their

everyday speech, modern

idioms like 'jump

the shark'.

Here is Gareth Carrol

telling BBC Radio 4

programme, Word of Mouth,

about one source of

many modern idioms -

the movies.

So, Groundhog Day I think

more or less has the

meaning of 'déjà vu' now,

and it's completely

embedded in the language ...

actually, that's probably

one of the first phrases

that got me thinking about

these modern idioms in

the first place because

it is so ubiquitous,

it's used in a huge

range of contexts, and

one of the things

that made me sit up

and take notice is,

I had a number of

students who know the

phrase, Groundhog Day,

but had no idea

it was a film.

In the film Groundhog

Day, the main character

wakes up to live

the same day over

and over again.

Gradually, the movie

title itself became

an idiom, Groundhog

Day, meaning 'a situation

in which events that

have happened before,

happen again in exactly

the same way'.

It's

similar in meaning to

another expression -

déjà vu.

When phrases the movies

develop into idioms

it's often because

they are ubiquitous -

they seem to

appear everywhere.

And one of the ways

they appear everywhere

is, of course, the

internet.

Here's

Gareth Carrol again,

telling more to

Michael Rosen,

presenter of BBC

Radio 4 programme,

Word of Mouth.

The vocabulary of the

internet, even the

word 'internet', is

relatively modern ...

the idea of breaking

the internet is

now a phrase I think

people would use and

recognise, so something

that causes such a

stir online that

metaphorically so many

people rush to a

website that it

threatens to bring it

down, something

like that ...

In the early days we

had 'go viral' which

has stayed with us,

hasn't it?

Yeah, so the idea of

something going viral

is certainly very much

in the vocabulary

now ... But things like

Twitter have leant

sort of phrases, so

the idea of first-world

problems, meaning sort

of ironically things

that we complain

about but actually,

compared to other

parts of the world,

may well be

relatively minor, that

started life as Twitter

hashtag, for example.

Another modern idiom

is breaking the

internet - causing so

much excitement about

something online that

too many people visit

the website at the same

time, making it crash.

Social media outlets

like Twitter have also

created their own

idioms, including

first--orld problems -

a trivial problem that

does not seem very

important when

compared to the serious

problems faced by

people in poorer parts

of the world.

If you don't know some

of these idioms, don't

worry.

Unlike general

vocabulary, a native

speaker's full

knowledge of idioms

takes longer to

develop, usually at

around the age of

thirty to forty.

Meanwhile, you can

still rely on classic

English idioms, like

'pull my leg', 'kick

the bucket', and 'throw

in the towel' - which,

I think, comes from

the sport of

boxing.

Rob?

Yes, in my question

I asked which sport

gave birth to the

phrase 'throw in the

towel', and Sam's

answer was correct!

Well done!

The idiom

'throw in the towel'

comes from boxing

where the coach of

losing boxer would

literally throw a

towel into the ring

to surrender.

OK, let's recap the

rest of the idioms,

old and new, that

we've learnt today.

To spend a penny is

an old-fashioned way

of saying 'go to

the toilet'.

Groundhog Day describes

a situation in which

events that have

happened before, happen

again exactly

the same way.

If something is

'ubiquitous', it seems

to appear everywhere.

The modern idiom 'break

the internet', means

to cause so much

excitement about

something online that

you make the

website crash.

And finally, a

first-world problem is

a problem that does

not seem very important

when compared to the

serious problems faced

by people in poorer

parts of the world.

Unfortunately for us,

our six minutes are up!

Bye for now!

Bye bye!