The English We Speak: “Cheesy”
Intro:
Cheesy has a few different meanings in English and is a great word to add to your vocabulary.
1. Let’s listen to the BBC’s take on it, before you start what do the following words mean?
Vocab:
crackers
flavour
a festive mood
cheerful
pantomime
snobbish
blushing
Comprehension Questions:
Li brought in some cheese crackers and put on some festival music in the studio.
Did Neil like them?
What did he say about Li’s choice of music?
Audio Script:
Neil: Hello and welcome to The English We Speak I’m Neil and with me today is Li.
Li: Hi there I’m Li. Today’s word is ‘cheesy’ and look here Neil, I’ve got something cheesy for you!
Neil: Oh cheese crackers! Yummy… don’t you like them?
Li: No I find them too cheesy. As I don’t eat cheese, I find the flavour a bit too strong.
Neil: I like cheese and I love all cheesy food. (Short pause) but I don’t like this music you’re playing… it’s too cheesy.
Li: Too cheesy? Do you mean the music is no good? It’s Christmas…
Neil: Well it’s all right for this time of the year and it goes with the festive mood. But generally speaking it’s too predicable, cheap and cheerful. Let’s listen to a couple of examples:
A: Would you like to go to the pantomime next week, thought it’d be fun.
B: Em… I know children love it but I find it a bit too cheesy. I used to love it as a kid.
A: Hi everyone I am organising our Christmas dinner. How about going back to The Cheshire Cheese pub?
B: The food was excellent, but you know what? The music there was a bit too cheesy,
A: Cheesy? Of course. Maybe that’s why the pub is called ‘ The Cheshire Cheese’.
Li: The second speaker there came across as a bit snobbish, don’t you think?
Neil: Yes the word does have a slightly negative connotation, something too superficial and simple and …
Li: Not deep and sophisticated?
Neil: No.
Li: I see. Remember what you said about the music I’m playing? So you mean my taste in music is not very sophisticated?
Neil: No, don’t get me wrong. It’s only that one particular piece because I’ve heard it so many times. Well I must say that your taste in clothes is fabulous. (Pause to get a closer look) Is this a new coat? Never seen it before?
Li: Yes?
Neil: I think the bright colours suit you really well, your face is lit up and you look very… attractive… and… charming… and….
Li: Oh, stop it Neil. I never knew you can be so cheesy! Come on, please have some cheese crackers and that’ll stop your cheesy compliments…
Neil: Li, you’re blushing!
Li: Bye for now.
Neil: Bye.
Questions:
What are the 2 different meaning of cheesy?
Can you think of a different example?
2. What happens if you google the word cheesy?
Web
The first thing is a dictionary definition:
|
Images
The 100 Cheesiest Movie Quotes of All Time
(recommended to make to laugh or vomit)
3. Using the vocab:
Group 1.
crackers, flavour, a festive mood, cheerful, pantomime, snobbish, blushing
1. Christmas is a popular time to go to the _______________
2. What get you in a ________________, is it when the Christmas lights are turned on?
3. I don’t like the __________ of cherry Cola.
4. My aunt Sheila is very ___________, she only shops in the expensive shops.
5. My favourite food is caviar on ____________.
6. I would like to go to a new restaurant, someplace “cheap and ___________ “!
