Podcast #38 - Karate Ken

The Mr Vocab Podcast is available on Amazon Android, Google Play and iTunes App Store.

Karate Ken

Karate Ken was a karate enthusiast from Southern California. He took up karate at the age of ten. Karate Ken’s best friend was Netflix Nick. Nick’s main passion was watching Netflix. One day, Nick asked Ken a question.

“Why do you waste your time practicing karate?” 

“Karate is a great form of exercise,” answered Ken. “You really work up a sweat in only a few minutes. It’s also beneficial for my mental health.”

“Well, Netflix is beneficial for my mental health as well,” replied Nick. “I watch comedies, which make me laugh and as a result, I feel good. I also work up a sweat when I walk downstairs to get a diet coke from the fridge.”

“But what if you get attacked in the street,” said Ken. “You won’t know how to defend yourself.”

Nick thought about it for a few moments.

“I’ll never get attacked in the street, because I never leave my house. I’m always watching Netflix.”

Further examples:

• Oliver’s a real film enthusiast, you should invite him to the cinema this weekend.

• I really want to take up a musical instrument but I can’t decide between the violin or piano.

• You should try the rowing machine tomorrow, I promise you’ll work up a sweat in no time at all!

• Studying a foreign language is very beneficial for your memory. It’s important to use your brain as you get older.
  

Useful English Vocabulary For Conversations

Imagine this situation. You are studying English abroad (i.e. London or Brighton). You finish school, and you want to go out to a bar and have a chin-wag with some of the local people.

chin-wag = casual conversation

Let’s look at three questions you might be asked, and how you can respond using a few ESL phrasal verbs and idioms!

1. “What are you doing in England?”

Response: “Well, I’m trying to brush up on my English so I’m doing a course at an English school here.”

brush up on (phrasal verb) = improve an existing skill in a short period of time

2. “ARE you ENJOYING YOUR language school?”

Response: “I love it, but it cost me an arm and a leg….”

cost an arm and a leg (idiom) = very expensive

3. “Where do you COME FROM?”

Response 1 (city): “I come from the hustle and bustle of Tokyo, in Japan.”

Response 2 (countryside): “I live in a boring little village but we have a very tight-knit community!”

hustle and bustle (idiom) = an expression to describe busy city areas such as New York, London, Paris

tight-knit (idiom) = an expression used to describe a group or community with strong / caring relationships.

Learn English vocabulary with Mr Vocab’s story books

Did you find this post useful? Why not try some of our vocabulary books designed for ESL students:

Mr Vocab’s Phrasal Verb Stories (PDF version) (Amazon book)

Mr Vocab’s Naked Idioms (PDF version) (Amazon book)

Podcast #36 - Mike's Magic Mirror

The Mr Vocab Podcast is available on Amazon Android, Google Play and iTunes App Store.

Mike’s Magic Mirror

One day, Mike McCallister took his dog into town to buy a new bedroom mirror. He noticed a new shop. Inside the shop window was a big sign saying ‘Magic Mirror - Only £5’.

Mike entered the shop.

“Excuse me,” said Mike. “I’m interested in buying your magic mirror.”

“Excellent choice sir,” said the man behind the counter. “Only £5, it’s an absolute steal! All you have to do is look in the mirror every morning, and make a wish.”

Mike assumed the man was probably a basket case, but even so, he was very curious about this magic mirror. When Mike got home, he fed the dog in the kitchen and then walked up the apples and pears to his bedroom so he could put his new mirror up on the wall.

The next morning, Mike jumped out of bed. He felt fresh as a daisy. It was time to use the magic mirror. Mike stood in front of the mirror and made a wish.

“I wish my dog could talk.”

After making his wish, Mike got dressed and went downstairs to the kitchen. He found the dog waiting for him.

“Morning Mike,” said the dog. “Any chance of some food?”

Mike was gobsmacked. The magic mirror really worked.

“Of course boy,” said Mike. “I’ll get you some food, and then we can talk about anything you want. How about football? Or maybe James Bond films?”

The dog looked disappointed. 

“Actually Mike, my only real interest is in America’s federal income tax. Did you know that in 1913, the 16th Amendment established the federal income tax system used in America today?

At that moment, Mike realised his dog was as dull as dishwater.

Further examples:

• I can’t believe you paid less than £100 for that jacket. It’s an absolute steal!

• I’m not going on another date with him, he was a complete basket case! I need to block him on Instagram as well.

• Wait a moment, I’ll just run up the apples and pears and grab my wallet, then we can go to the cinema.

• I feel fresh a daisy, it must be that glass of warm milk I drank before bed!

• Tim was gobsmacked when his grandmother started breakdancing at the wedding.

• Please don’t invite the boss to our work drinks, he’s as dull as dishwater, it would be so painful!

Podcast #34 Benny Joins The Mafia

The Mr Vocab Podcast is available on Amazon Android, Google Play and iTunes App Store.

Benny Joins The Mafia

Benny Cornetto was sick and tired of people walking all over him. He had tried everything. He had attended seminars on how to build confidence. He had taken private lessons to help him become more assertive. Nothing worked. Nobody took Benny seriously.

One day, Benny decided to join the Mafia. His friend Doug thought this was a bad idea.

“Come on Benny,” said Doug. “You wouldn’t say boo to a goose. How can you expect to join the world of organised crime?”

“I’ve tried everything Doug,” replied Benny. “I’m in the last chance saloon. When people realise I’m connected to the Mob, they won’t mess with me anymore.”

Benny arrived for his meeting with the head of the local Mafia, Antonio Pistone.

“Well, look who it is,” said Antonio as Benny walked into the bar. “Little Benny from South Street. I understand you want to join us?”

“Yes Godfather Antonio, yes! I want to be a part of your organisation more than anything in the world! I’m very diligent, and extremely discreet.”

“That’s music to my ears Benny,” said Antonio. “Tell me something, do you mind getting your hands dirty?”

“Of course not Godfather Antonio. Do you want me to kill someone?”

“Kill someone? Are you crazy? I need someone to clean the toilets here.”

“I can do that!” replied Benny excitedly. 

And just like that, Benny became the head of toilet cleaning of the local Mafia. Nobody messed with him again.

Further examples:

• I’m sick and tired of my boss, I wish he’d just relax for one second!

• You’ve got to stop letting people walk all over you. You need to learn how to be more assertive.

• You think Henry smashed your car windows? Are you serious? He wouldn’t say boo to a goose, he would never do something like that!

• John’s in the last chance saloon. His wife will leave him if he doesn’t stop drinking.

• Don’t mess with me, I swear you will regret it.

• You need to be discreet if you work as a personal assistant. You hear all kinds of private and sensitive information in that job..

• I’m so glad we have Rachel at this company. She’s so diligent and reliable.

• Are you saying we don’t have to go to the office tomorrow? That’s music to my ears, I’m going to have an extra hour in bed!

• When you reach the top of the political world, you have to accept that sooner or later, you might need to get your hands dirty…

Podcast #33 Marvin's Midlife Crisis

The Mr Vocab Podcast is available on Amazon Android, Google Play and iTunes App Store.

Marvin’s Mid-Life Crisis

Marvin and his wife had been married for 20 years. However, they started to experience problems after his wife hired a very hunky personal trainer. As soon as Marvin saw the personal trainer, he knew his days were numbered.

Sure enough, his wife asked for a divorce one month later. The divorce was amicable, mainly because Marvin didn’t have any backbone. After the divorce was finalised, Marvin decided to buy a Ferrari and a leather jacket.

His friend Dave was not very supportive.

“Come on Marvin,” said Dave. “A Ferrari? A leather jacket? Don’t you think this is a bit Dad at the disco?”

Marvin knew his friend was right, but instead of listening to him he decided to double down. The following day, Marvin decided to buy a baseball cap and a pair of skinny jeans.

“You’ve lost the plot Marvin,” said his friend Dave. “I’m embarrassed to be seen with you.”

Suddenly a group of younger women walked past, and one of them did a double take at Marvin.

“Wow,” said the girl. “You’re obviously over the hill, but you refuse to accept it. I like your confidence. Here’s my number, call me some time.”

The girl walked away, and Dave was dumbfounded.

“Marvin,” said Dave. “I’m sorry I ever doubted you.”

Further examples:

• Wow, look at that hunky lifeguard! I should come to the beach more often.

• I think my days are numbered here…. my boss has been ignoring me all week.

• I broke up with my girlfriend but it was amicable. We still have a lot of respect for each other.

• You’ve got to show some backbone man! Girls like confidence!

• Have you finalised the contract yet? The boss wants to know.

• You’re far too old to go to the nightclub! You don’t want to be the Dad at the disco!

• I confronted John about the stolen money, but instead of denying it he doubled down and accused me of stealing it! Unbelievable…

• You’ve really lost the plot if you think I’m going to talk to my ex-wife. She’s evil!

• When I saw the dog riding a bicycle I had to do a double take! I couldn’t believe my eyes!

• Don’t you think you’re a bit over the hill to play a game of Rugby? Those young guys will kill you!

• I was completely dumbfounded when I saw Henry kissing our boss at the work party!