2016-09-06 Old-school – The English We Speak

Summary

Sian is amused because Feifei is looking for a stamp to post her letter. Why doesn’t she just send an email? In this programme you’ll learn an adjective that describes people or things that seem old-fashioned.

Transcript

Sian                                          
Hello and welcome to The English We Speak from BBC Learning English. I’m Sian.

Feifei
Hi everyone, I’m Feifei.

Sian
What on earth are you looking for Feifei? Why are you taking everything out of your bag?

Feifei
I’m just looking for a stamp – I know I’ve got one in here somewhere. I just can’t seem to find it. 

Sian
A stamp? What do you want a stamp for?

Feifei
I’ve written a letter to my family and I want to get it in the post before midday.

Sian
You’ve written a letter? That’s a bit old-school isn’t it?

Feifei
‘Old-school’? Who are you calling ‘old-school’? I’m younger than you!

Sian
Yeah but writing letters is quite old-school, you know – it’s a bit old-fashioned. Most people just email or send instant messages nowadays.

Feifei
Yeah, but it’s so nice to get a real letter in the post! So ‘old-school’ basically describes something that’s from an earlier time – something old-fashioned. Let’s hear some examples:

Examples
Woah! That haircut is so old-school!

You want to go roller-skating tonight? Man, that’s so old-school!

Our new teacher is a bit old-school in his approach, but he always gets good results.

Feifei
So ‘old-school’ is used as a bit of an insult, right?

Sian
No, it doesn’t have to be. It can also be used a compliment – to talk about something from the past that you admire. Or to describe something you feel nostalgic about.

Examples
I love your new coat – it’s so old-school!

Look at these old-school computer games, aren’t they awesome?!

Feifei
Exactly, I think it’s a good thing to be old-school. If only I could find that stamp.

Sian
Why don’t you just fax it?

Feifei
Well, that really would be old-school Sian. Get with the times!