Becoming British in Oxford
Step 1: Learn British Phrases
Good morning.
Today, right now, we're going to the EF school in Oxford
and we are going to
learn some British expressions.
Yeah
We're going to integrate
fully with the locals.
Hopefully we'll learn some
phrases, some slang,
some things to become
typically quintessentially British.
Yeah the night was short, but I'm ready to go.
Let’s go.
Time to put our British English to the test
If it's been quite chilly, quite cold lately
And so one expression that we use sometimes
actually quite a lot in Britain
to talk about cold weather
to say that it is "Brass monkeys"
What?
It's a really strange expression.
say it brass monkeys meaning, it's very cold
It is very cold in the winter.
You might catch
the lurgy.
Oh goodness.
And it means like a slightly unspecific illness
Yeah, and if you catch the lurgy
then you may feel that everything
or at least your day has gone pear-shaped.
You have ever heard this expression?
No!
We're talking about
one of the student's exams, for instance,
and the grades are a little bit disappointing.
You might say,
Oh that went a bit pear-shaped.
If you have a
bright idea or if you see a clever solution,
then you might say, or someone might tell you
That you're not as green as you're cabbage looking.
What?
It means not as stupid as you look.
Oh yes!
So yeah, if you come up with a smart idea,
a smart solution because you're not
as green as you're cabbage looking,
then you might say,
Bob’s your uncle
Bob?
Bob’s your uncle!
and it means, it's a bit like
hey presto, or bingo.
Step 2: Putting our British English to the test
No, we saw it in Cambridge, too.
Oh, what is it?
It's the Bridge of Sighs.
The Bridge of Sighs.
Well, you're not as green as a cabbage looking.
This is my cat
What do you like about Oxford?
I love the architecture here.
It's so beautiful. It's really beautiful
Should we go to the book shop?
Yeah.
The oldest bookshop.
But first, it's time to BeReal.
Follow EF on BeReal.
Yeah, EF daily.
Step 3: Read English Literature
Can you find us a great English classic?
An English classic? Literature.
Literature, okay.
Bob's your uncle.
There we go.
Some Jane Eyre.
So I got Jane Eyre,
because I've always wanted to read it.
And then for Timon's recommendation, I asked him to pick a book out for me.
He picked out Animal Farm.
Let's see how it goes, I'm really excited!
What's up Matthew, are you okay?
Oh no, I caught the lurgy.
Well, that went pear-shaped.
So, this is the Oxford Castle and this is one of the most haunted places in Oxford, but also in the UK.
There are several ghosts sights and poltergeist activities reported, especially in the 1970's
It was a prison before, and now it's much like a museum.
At one time it was so bad, so they had to bring a priest to do an exorcisms.
It's like all the horror movies I've ever seen.
Are you sensing some paranormal activity right now, Matthew?
No, I don't.
You don't sense anything?
No. What about you? I am!
So if you love ghosts....
Come make some friends, some ghost friends
They'll love to play with you.
And go at night. Especially midnight, or two in the morning.
We caught a ghost, oh my God!
Good morning!
When in the UK, the one thing that we have to do is to have some high tea.
So, we're going to go right now to get some tea.
Cassie is particularly excited for some scones
Have you ever had a scone?
I've never had a scone.
Watch out Matthew is going to walk into people.
If you're a student, you can get some discounts at different stores.
Keep in mind.
We made it
I like the outfit today.
Thank you.
Very appropriate for the location.
Yes!
Could anybody explain to me what high tea actually is?
So what you get is a pot of tea,
and then you get a lot of little finger sandwiches, desserts.
So there's, like, scones, some cakes.
We also get some smoked salmon, it comes in a tower.
We have all these teas to pick from.
What are we going to get?
These two have eggs, this is smoked salmon.
This one is roast beef. A fruit scone and a plain scone.
Some jam and butter.
Yeah. It's chocolate and I think probably the cake of the day.
So we'll see!
Isn't it mayo?
So good
Alex has never had a scone,
so I'm excited for this experience for her.
So you have to eat it with butter and jam
How is it?
It’s so good!
RIght?
Scone with fruits
Let's try and take the bite, cheers!
Smells like pancake a little bit
You guys are wrong!
I told you!
It is!
Y’all are wrong.
You're wrong.
No, I'm British.
I think it's carrot cake.
Carrot cake
Is it good?
So good!
Yeah
With the cream on top, makes it so perfect.
You like it?
Sublime!
Nice!
Cheers!
Cheers Oxford.
Success!
So that was another day in Oxford.
We learn so much today at EF Oxford.
My favorite is Bob's your Uncle
Met up the Gardenphath.
My favorite, I think, was also Bob's your uncle.
I can't decide between the Bob's your uncle or
the Brass Monkeys.
Leave a comment
trying to use the phrases that we learned today
in a sentence.
Or if you British
Show us your best attempts.
Yeah.
Or if you British show us your favorite.
Yeah.
All right this was our last day in Oxford.
And see you in the next episode.
when we’re in Bristol.
See you in Bristol!
Bye!