Hello everyone. This is The English
We Speak with me, Feifei...
... and me, Rob. Hey, Feifei, do you
need me to order you a pizza?
Why would I want you to order me a pizza
when we are presenting a programme?
Go on! Just say 'pizza' and my new
smartphone will instantly
order one for you.
Oh, I see. I know you've got a new and
very expensive smartphone,
Rob, but I'm quite happy
using my bog-standard dumbphone.
'Bog-standard'! You mean it's basic,
ordinary and unexceptional?
I do, Rob. It's a strange expression
and nobody really knows its origins.
Well, I think it's got something to do with
the English slang for toilet - bog - which
is where your 'old' phone should be!
Thanks, Rob. Shall we hear some
'bog-standard' examples now?
I've got a bog-standard computer, but it's
fine for just sending emails
and surfing the
internet.
Sorry you got a low mark in your
homework, but to be honest,
it was bog-standard.
I found the new film bog-standard - it
lacked the action and
special effects I was expecting.
This is The English We Speak from BBC
Learning English, and we're
learning about the phrase
'bog-standard', which describes
things that are basic, ordinary
and unexceptional.
Yes, like your basic mobile phone.
Oh, is that a message on your
new shiny, very expensive, smartphone?
Yes, yes, it is. It's my first bill for my
new phone.... Let's have a look.
What?! How
much! Oh!
Oh dear, Rob. It's not such a new shiny
phone now, is it?
Oh no, how are we going to order
a pizza now?
On my 'bog-standard' phone? Here, just
press the numbers and you
can actually talk to someone.
No, I'm not hungry now.
Bye!