The English We Speak – Dinosaur

Helen: Hello, Welcome to The English We Speak from BBC Learning English. I’m Helen.

Rob: And I’m Rob.

Helen: Rob, can I ask you something?

Rob: Yes, of course. Go ahead.

Helen: My son’s friends came to visit at the weekend. They were all in the bedroom playing with dinosaurs.

Rob: Oh right. Sounds fun.

Helen: Yeah, I even let them watch a dinosaur film and play a computer game. Then I heard one of them say his parents were dinosaurs.

Rob: Oh, dear.

Helen: I’m a mum, I don’t think I look anything like a dinosaur, do I?

Rob: No, you don’t look like one at all. You are 100% human! What did the boy say about his parents?

Helen: He said that they don’t have a TV at home, and that his parents don’t have mobile phones either. I was quite surprised by that.

Rob: No wonder he thinks his parents are dinosaurs. When we call someone a ‘dinosaur’, we mean they’re living in the past, they’re not very modern, and probably don’t use a lot of technology.

Helen: I see. So, if I don’t have a mobile phone or have a computer, I could be… a dinosaur.

Rob: Exactly. Let’s hear some examples.

• My grandfather just bought his first digital camera. I’ve been telling him to get one for years! He’s a dinosaur when it comes to modern technology.

• A: Have you met Jane’s new husband?
  B: Yes, he talks like someone from the 1930s. Really old-fashioned!
  A: I know, he said he hates modern technology.
  B: Oh, he’s such a dinosaur.

Helen: So calling someone a dinosaur means they’re not in touch with the modern world.

Rob: Yes, a bit old-fashioned, maybe conservative in their thinking, and not keen for new challenges.

Helen: Well, I love modern technology.

Rob: Are you on Facebook? Twitter? Instagram?

Helen: No, what are these?

Rob: Oh dear, Helen! You really are a dinosaur!

(sfx roar!)