Can you keep a secret? ⏲️ 6 Minute English

Summary

This episode of BBC's 6 Minute English explores the concept of 'positive secrets,' as introduced by Dr. Michael Slepian of Columbia University. The show discusses how keeping good news to oneself can make one feel more alive, especially with the intention to share later. It contrasts positive secrets, which energize and empower, with negative ones that harm relationships. Cultural perspectives on secrets, such as the 'evil eye' superstition related to early pregnancy announcements, are also examined. The episode wraps up with the revelation of Coca Cola's secret ingredient, nutmeg, discovered by TV presenter Joanna Lumley in Indonesia.

Takeaways

• 📢 The script is from the BBC's '6 Minute English', a segment focused on learning English through discussions on various topics.
• 🤐 Neil and Beth discuss the concept of 'keeping secrets' and the idiom 'spill the beans', which means to reveal a secret.
• 🎬 Neil admits to having a habit of giving away movie endings, which is an example of revealing secrets.
• 🧐 The show suggests that keeping secrets can have a positive side, contrary to the common belief that it's always negative.
• 📚 Psychological studies are mentioned, indicating that keeping good news to oneself can make a person feel more alive, especially with the intention to share later.
• 🗝️ The term 'positive secrets' is introduced from a study published in the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, highlighting secrets that are meant to be revealed.
• 🎁 Examples of positive secrets include marriage proposals and pregnancy announcements, which are kept secret with the intention of sharing them joyfully.
• 😟 Negative secrets, in contrast, are those that hurt people and damage relationships, such as guilty pleasures that cause feelings of guilt or shame.
• 🌏 Cultural differences in keeping secrets are discussed, with some cultures advising against sharing good news like pregnancies until it's considered safe to avoid 'negative vibes' or the 'evil eye'.
• 🥤 A trivia question about Coca Cola's secret ingredient is posed, with the correct answer being nutmeg, based on BBC TV presenter Joanna Lumley's experience in Indonesia.
• 📝 The vocabulary recap includes terms like 'guilty pleasure', 'marriage proposal', 'the whole point', 'evil eye', and 'burdensome', each with its explanation and usage context.

Q & A

What is the main topic of discussion in the 6 Minute English episode from BBC Learning English?

The main topic of discussion is the advantages of keeping secrets, with a focus on 'positive secrets' and their potential benefits to one's life.

What does the idiom 'spill the beans' refer to in the context of the script?

The idiom 'spill the beans' refers to revealing a secret to others.

Why does Neil mention that he finds it hard to keep secrets related to movie endings?

Neil mentions that he has a habit of giving away the ending of a movie, which is a common reason why some people find it difficult to keep secrets.

What is the term introduced by a study published in the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology to describe a certain type of secret?

The term introduced is 'positive secrets', which refers to secrets that are kept with the intention of eventually revealing them for a positive outcome.

Who is Dr. Michael Slepian and what does he discuss in the script?

Dr. Michael Slepian is a researcher from Columbia University who discusses the concept of 'positive secrets' in the context of their impact on people's emotions and relationships.

What is the difference between 'positive secrets' and 'negative secrets' according to Dr. Slepian?

Positive secrets are those kept with the intention of revealing them for a positive outcome, such as a marriage proposal. Negative secrets, on the other hand, are those that hurt people and damage relationships, often associated with guilt or shame.

What is the cultural belief mentioned in the script that could influence the timing of revealing certain types of secrets?

The cultural belief mentioned is the concept of the 'evil eye', where revealing certain good news, such as a pregnancy, too early could lead to bad luck or harm.

What is the term used to describe secrets about pregnancy that are kept due to cultural superstitions?

These types of secrets are referred to as 'burdensome secrets', meaning they are worrying, troublesome, or distressing.

Who is Joanna Lumley and what secret ingredient of Coca Cola did she believe she discovered?

Joanna Lumley is a BBC TV presenter who, while traveling in Indonesia, believes she discovered that the secret spice in Coca Cola is nutmeg.

What vocabulary is recapitulated at the end of the script and what do they signify?

The vocabulary recapitulated includes 'spill the beans' (to reveal a secret), 'guilty pleasure' (an enjoyable but shameful activity), 'marriage proposal' (the act of asking someone to marry), 'the whole point' (the most important reason or purpose), 'evil eye' (a superstition causing harm through a look), and 'burdensome' (worrying or troublesome).