Summary
When an event is ‘cancelled’, it’s not going to happen anymore, but this word has a new meaning. Rob’s about to find out that how someone in public life can be ‘cancelled’ because of their actions. Listen to The English We Speak.
Transcript
Feifei
Hello. This is The English We Speak, with me, Feifei…
Rob
…and hello, it’s me, Rob.
Feifei
Hey, Rob, you look a bit fed up.
Rob
I am. I had tickets to see Roy’s Rolling Biscuits next week – but now the gig has been cancelled.
Feifei
Cancelled – meaning a planned activity will now not happen? Well, lots of things have been cancelled at the moment.
Rob
But this was ‘The Biscuits’ , you know, the best band ever!
Feifei
Well, Rob, to be honest, I cancelled them a long time ago.
Rob
What?! You had tickets and you cancelled them?
Feifei
No, Rob. This is another meaning of ‘cancelled’. I didn’t like the bad language in the band’s songs so I stopped supporting them – I ‘cancelled’ them.
Rob
Oh!
Feifei
Yep. When you cancel someone, you don’t agree with what they do or say, and you stop supporting or promoting them. This particularly relates to celebrities. So if you don’t like someone, cancel them!
Rob
OK, Feifei. Let’s hear some examples…
Examples
I was a big supporter of our local mayor until he agreed to build the by-pass. I’ve cancelled him now.
My favourite singer started singing anti-climate change songs. She’s cancelled as far as I’m concerned!
‘Cancel culture’ means we can shame celebrities on social media when they have controversial opinions.
Feifei
This is The English We Speak from BBC Learning English, and we’re talking about a new meaning to the word ‘cancelled’. ‘Cancelling’ someone means to stop supporting or following someone, particularly a public figure, because of something they have said or done. It’s also known as a ‘cancel culture’.
Rob
So, you’ve cancelled supporting Roy’s Rolling Biscuits, and my gig has been cancelled. So what am I going to do now?
Feifei
Hmmm… what about trying to get tickets for that other band you like?
Rob
The Bananas? No, no, I’m cancelling them because their tickets are always too expensive.
Feifei
Oh dear, Rob. It looks like you’ll be having a quiet night in. Bye.
Rob
What are you doing tonight, Feifei? Bye.