Cheesy

Downloads

To take away:

Audio (2.1 MB)

Text (19K)

The script for this programme



Neil: Hello and welcome to The English We Speak I'm Neil and with me today is Li.

Li: Hi there I'm Li. Today's word is 'cheesy' and look here Neil, I've got something cheesy for you!

Neil: Oh cheese crackers! Yummy… don't you like them?

Li: No I find them too cheesy. As I don't eat cheese, I find the flavour a bit too strong.

Neil: I like cheese and I love all cheesy food. (Short pause) but I don't like this music you're playing… it's too cheesy.

Li: Too cheesy? Do you mean the music is no good? It's Christmas…

Neil: Well it's all right for this time of the year and it goes with the festive mood. But generally speaking it's too predicable, cheap and cheerful. Let's listen to a couple of examples:

A: Would you like to go to the pantomime next week, thought it'd be fun.
B: Em… I know children love it but I find it a bit too cheesy. I used to love it as a kid.

A: Hi everyone I am organising our Christmas dinner. How about going back to The Cheshire Cheese pub?
B: The food was excellent, but you know what? The music there was a bit too cheesy,
A: Cheesy? Of course. Maybe that's why the pub is called ' The Cheshire Cheese'.

Li: The second speaker there came across as a bit snobbish, don't you think?

Neil: Yes the word does have a slightly negative connotation, something too superficial and simple and …

Li: Not deep and sophisticated?

Neil: No.

Li: I see. Remember what you said about the music I’m playing? So you mean my taste in music is not very sophisticated?

Neil: No, don't get me wrong. It's only that one particular piece because I've heard it so many times. Well I must say that your taste in clothes is fabulous. (Pause to get a closer look) Is this a new coat? Never seen it before?

Li: Yes?

Neil: I think the bright colours suit you really well, your face is lit up and you look very… attractive… and… charming… and….

Li: Oh, stop it Neil. I never knew you can be so cheesy! Come on, please have some cheese crackers and that'll stop your cheesy compliments…

Neil: Li, you're blushing!

Li: Bye for now.

Neil: Bye