Summary
Have you ever been watching a film when someone ruins it by telling you part of the plot? Hopefully they gave you a little bit of warning before they told you the spoiler! That’s what Feifei and Roy talk about in The English We Speak.
Transcript
Feifei
Hello and welcome to The English We Speak. I’m Feifei.
Roy
And I’m Roy! Did you watch the latest episode of the hit soap, ‘A duck between a rock and a hard place’?
Feifei
No, I haven’t watched the latest episode yet.
Roy
It was epic! Spoiler alert – it turns out that Martin wasn’t really a duck, but actually Bob, the evil twin brother of the magnificent unicorn Flim-Flam.
Feifei
What!? I can’t believe you ruined the story for me with that spoiler! I’ve been watching them, and now you have told me the big ending for the story!
Roy
But I did say ‘spoiler alert’ before I told you! And don’t worry – there’s going to be another episode tonight, because – spoiler alert! – the evil unicorn, Bob, didn’t die at the end!
Feifei
Roy! That’s another thing you’ve told me! Just because you say ‘spoiler alert!’ doesn’t mean you can tell me everything that happens!
Roy
Sorry, Feifei. I promise I won’t tell you any other spoilers. Let’s listen to these examples.
Examples
Martina told me a massive secret that happens in the book, and she forgot to say ‘spoiler alert!’ I’m so annoyed with her!
Next time you give me a spoiler, make sure you say ‘spoiler alert’ beforehand!
I hate spoilers! They ruin films for me, but when I watch a video on social media and I hear someone say ‘spoiler alert’, I turn it straight off.
Feifei
This is The English We Speak from BBC Learning English and we’re talking about the expression ‘spoiler alert’. We say this as a warning when we’re going to reveal part of the story of a film, book or TV series. I hate when people give me ‘spoilers’.
Roy
Yes, spoilers can ruin the story for someone. I’m sorry, Feifei. I shouldn’t have given you any spoilers.
Feifei
Well, after you say ‘spoiler alert’ – you need to give me more time before you tell me what happened.
Roy
Sorry, I will do. Well, I suppose we’re now even for all the times you’ve told us secrets about films and series! You never even say ‘spoiler alert’.
Feifei
Well, Roy. Did you get the email from me earlier?
Roy
No, why? What did it say?
Feifei
Spoiler alert – you have to work the weekend because I’m going to the spa.
Roy
What, not again!? Bye, Feifei!
Feifei
Bye.