Neil’s looking for a phrase that best describes him but Feifei knows one that is nowhere near – it involves the name Jack and describes someone who has many skills. Listen to this programme to find out what it is and whether Neil is anywhere close to being one!
Feifei
Hello I’m Feifei and this is The English We Speak.
Neil
And hello, I’m Neil. Today Feifei, I’m going to teach you a piece of authentic English that describes me. Any guesses what it might be?
Feifei
Hmmm… ‘Lazy-bones’?
Neil
Ha! No, one that describes my many talents.
Feifei
Err… ‘Full of yourself’?
Neil
No Feifei – think about my skills – all the things I do in the office, for example.
Feifei
Sorry Neil – I have no idea.
Neil
It’s jack-of-all-trades.
Feifei
But your name’s not Jack!
Neil
It doesn’t have to be for this phrase. A jack-of-all-trades is someone who can do many kinds of jobs – you could say they’re multi-skilled.
Feifei
Ok. Yes, I know this phrase but it just doesn’t describe you!
Neil
Look, let me tell you what I can do, while we hear some more examples. OK?!
Examples
If you need any work doing to your house, get my Dad round – he’s a jack-of-all-trades!
Jane’s got a great business – she runs a cafe where she makes and sells the cakes, she does the marketing and her own accounting – she really is a jack-of-all-trades.
Feifei
So that’s jack-of-all-trades – a phrase that describes someone – a man or a woman – who can do many different types of work. We could call them an all-rounder. But sorry Neil – making the tea and presenting The English We Speak does not make you a jack-of-all-trades.
Neil
So you think I am a jack-of-some-trades? Don’t forget I wrote this script, I can edit, I can make coffee as well as tea.
Feifei
But some people say ‘jack-of-all-trades, master of none’ – which means you can do many things but you’re not an expert in any of them! A real jack-of-all-trades can do many different jobs – all to a good standard.
Neil
Well… Right, well I’m off.
Feifei
Where are you going?
Neil
To find this guy Jack – to see if he really exists.
Feifei
Oh dear. Bye!
Neil
Bye.
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