Podcast #41 - Larry The Loser

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

Larry The Loser

Larry Smith was the laughing stock of the whole village. When he was at school, all the other students thought he was a loser. After school, nothing changed. Larry got a job at the post office and all his colleagues thought he was a loser as well.

Larry was in between a rock and a hard place. He knew one option was to move to a new town, but if he moved he would lose his job. Instead, Larry decided to try his hand at being a part time police officer. He thought that being a police officer would win him respect in the village. Unfortunately, things went from bad to worse.

One afternoon, Larry spotted a group of teenagers smoking at the bus stop. He decided to tell them off.

“Why aren’t you in school?”

The teenagers stared at Larry. After a few moments they were in hysterics.

“Look at this loser,” said the biggest teenager. “He thinks he’s a police officer.”

The teenagers started throwing their beer cans at Larry, and calling him a loser. Larry ran away. He was still the biggest loser in the village.

Further examples:

  • I’m the laughing stock of this company, nobody takes me seriously!

  • I’m in between a rock and a hard place. I don’t want to go to Meg’s party tonight, but if I stay at home I’ll have to talk to Ben all evening and he’s so boring!

  • Why don’t you try your hand at cross-fit? I think you’ll really like it.

  • I thought losing my job was my only problem, but things have really gone from bad to worse. My girlfriend decided to take a new job in another country!

  • Did you spot any good discounts at the supermarket? I don’t have a lot of money.

  • My Mum always tells me off when I don’t clean my bedroom.

  • I was in hysterics watching that comedy, it’s so good.


Podcast #40 - Donald's Dream Machine

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

Donald’s Dream Machine

Donald was a genius. He could build anything. Some of his best inventions included a robot who could make pizza and a sofa that could turn into a car.

But Donald’s newest invention was truly groundbreaking. It was a real game changer. He had created a machine that could control your dreams. One day, Donald explained it to his wife, Mary.

“It’s easy, just type in the dream you want to have,and press enter. Then you put the helmet on when you go to bed, and Bob’s your uncle!”

Donald’s wife looked perplexed.

“Why do you need a dream machine Donald? I thought I was the woman of your dreams.”

“Don’t be ridiculous,” replied Doanld. “This gizmo is going to make us loaded. Imagine how many people will buy it.”

Later that night, Mary woke up. Donald wasn’t in bed, so she went downstairs to look for him. She found Donald already using the dream machine. Mary checked the monitor to see what dream Donald had entered. On the screen it said:

“Tropical beach, surrounded by gorgeous women.”

Mary found the keyboard and typed a new sentence into Donald’s dream. She wrote:

‘The gorgeous women suddenly turn into petrifying man-eating spiders.’

Mary pressed enter, and Donald started screaming like a little girl.

Further examples:

  • Their new album is good, but it’s not groundbreaking.

  • Wow, this new foldable phone from Samsung is a real game-changer!

  • It’s easy to use, just turn on the switch, wait 30 seconds and Bob’s your uncle!

  • You look very perplexed, do you want me to explain it again?

  • What is that new gizmo you’ve got? It looks very futuristic!

  • You should ask Nicky for money, she’s absolutely loaded.

  • I could never go bungee-jumping, even the thought of it is petrifying!

  • The actor who plays James Bond is gorgeous!

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.

Podcast #37 Ambitious Alex

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

Ambitious Alex

Alex was an ambitious bartender, who made cocktails at a restaurant. His dream was to set up his own business and he only looked up to successful people. Alex didn’t want to deal with average people or annoying customers.

One afternoon, the owner of the restaurant asked him to chip in for a birthday present. It was the cleaner's birthday.

“I’m sorry,” said Alex. “I look up to you, but I don’t make enough money to chip in for a present, especially a present for a cleaner. I don’t look up to the cleaner”

“I understand Alex,” replied the owner. “I want to help you make more money. Would you be interested in a promotion? I think you’d be a great manager.”

“I’m definitely management material,” said Alex. “I’m surprised you haven’t asked before. Which area of the restaurant do you want me to manage? 

“All will be revealed Alex, follow me and you’ll find out.”

Alex followed his boss to the men’s bathroom.

“Here you are Alex. You’re the new manager of cleaning the toilet. Don’t let me down!”

Further examples:

  • Why do you work for a big company? You should just set up your own business.

  • I really look up to my big brother, when I’m older I want to be like him.

  • I can’t deal with your problem right now, I’m busy.

  • We all need to chip in for Sammy’s birthday present.

  • I’m not sure you’re management material. You’re always late, and you’re rude to your colleagues.

  • I know you’re excited about your surprise, but don’t worry…. all will be revealed later.

  • I’m sorry I let you down, I’ll do better next time.

LEARN ENGLISH VOCABULARY WITH MR VOCAB’S STORY BOOKS

Did you find this podcast 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 #35 - The Most Boring Teacher In The World

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

The Most Boring Teacher In The World

Randy Smith was a teacher. But Randy was no ordinary teacher, he was the most boring teacher in the world. His lessons were like watching paint dry. Students often used his lessons to catch some z’s.

One day Randy realised seven students in his class were asleep. It was the last straw. Randy hit the roof.

Randy shouted so loudly that the Headmistress ran to his classroom.

“What in heavens is going on in here Mr. Smith?”

“It’s my student's Headmistress.” said Randy. “They’ve got no respect. Look at them, seven of them are sleeping and the other five are playing with their phones.”

“So it’s really true,” said the Headmistress. “You really are the most boring teacher in the world.”

Randy was stunned into silence. In fact, the whole class was gobsmacked. The room was so quiet, you could hear a pin drop.

Many, many years later, Randy lay in his hospital bed. He told his Doctor the story about the sleeping students and his horrible Headmistress.

“I’m sorry Randy,” said the Doctor. “You’re boring me to death with this dull story, and I’m very busy. Take your pills and I’ll see you in a few hours.

Further examples:

  • This film is like watching paint dry. Come on, let’s sneak out and get some food!

  • I can’t come out tonight guys, I need to go home and catch some z’s.

  • First you steal my favourite cookies, then you break my Playstation?? That’s the last straw!

  • Was Donald angry? You should have seen him… he hit the roof.

  • The room was stunned into silence when Betty started dancing naked on the table. Her husband could not believe it. He was gobsmacked.

  • There was so much tension, you could hear a pin drop. Everyone thought they were about to start fighting.

  • I’m bored to death of these rubbish films on Netflix. Let’s try Amazon Prime tonight.