2017-07-25 Snowflake – The English We Speak

Summary

Neil thinks Feifei’s a snowflake but it’s not a compliment. In The English We Speak, learn a very modern use of an old word which refers to people who get upset if you challenge their opinions.

Transcript

Neil
…Hello and welcome to The English We Speak, I’m Neil. (conspiratorially) Feifei will be joining me in just a second. She’s a little bit… sensitive, so I’m going to try to deliberately upset her – just to teach you an expression in English!

Feifei
Hi Neil

Neil
Oh hi Feifei! What do you think of the new Justin Bieber album?

Feifei
Oh it’s just great. I love it!

Neil
Really? (Pause) I think it’s rubbish. You must have terrible taste to like Justin Bieber.

Feifei
Neil that’s so rude!

Neil
It’s not rude – it’s just a difference of opinion. Honestly Feifei, you’re such a snowflake.

Feifei
Oh you mean beautiful and totally unique?!

Neil
Err, no… I mean you melt easily. You can call someone who gets offended or upset too easily a ‘snowflake’. Here are some examples:

Examples
A so-called friend of mine deleted a comment I made on his social media page just because I didn’t agree with him. What a snowflake.

There are so many places you can express yourself these days but at the same time everyone gets offended so easily. You can see why it’s called ‘generation snowflake’.

Neil
Generation snowflake. This expression refers to young adults who are too sensitive to handle criticism of their opinions.

Feifei
This is pretty insulting, Neil.

Neil
It IS pretty insulting, Feifei – but you’re only upset because you’re such a snowflake… Though, of course you’re also unique and beautiful…

Feifei
Oh I see – trying to be nice in case you offend me? Who’s the snowflake now, Neil!?

Neil
Well it’s just better if we all get along, isn’t it? Bye!

Feifei
Bye!