2021-07-12 Savage – The English We Speak

Summary

Savage is a cruel word but it doesn’t always have to be. Neil and Jiaying get to explain some of the meanings in The English We Speak. 

Transcript

Jiaying
Hello, and welcome to The English We Speak from BBC Learning English. I’m Jiaying… 

Neil
…and I’m Neil. 

Jiaying
Today, Neil, I wanted to talk about the adjective ‘savage’. 

Neil
Oh right. You mean something that is cruel or violent – like a wild tiger. 

Jiaying
Well, a tiger is savage, but I was thinking of another meaning. 

Neil
What are you on about? You’re wasting time my time with all this silly animal talk. Don’t you know what savage means?! 

Jiaying
I do – you’re demonstrating it very well. When someone criticises others severely and cruelly, we could say that they are savage. 

Neil
You mean being brutally honest – saying the truth- is savage! But I was only joking Jiaying, just to illustrate the point! 

Jiaying
Thanks, Neil! Shall we hear some examples now… 

Examples
The feedback on my homework was savage – I thought I had done a good job. 

Selina stood up to the bullies in her class! Now no one dares to pick on her or her friends. She’s savage!    

Did you watch that comedy show last night? The guest speaker was hilarious when she was poking fun at her celebrity friend. She was savage! 

Jiaying
This is The English We Speak from BBC Learning English and we’re talking about the word ‘savage’ – which can be used to describe someone who is brutally honest. 

Neil
Right, I’ve got to be savage with the boss now. 

Jiaying
Oh really, how come? 

Neil
I’m working too much and he hasn’t even noticed. I’m going to tell him, right now! 

Jiaying
Now we have another meaning of savage – We can also say ‘someone is savage’ if we think they’re cool for being brave and honest. So, I’m impressed, Neil! 

Neil
Oh, really? Thanks. But, err, maybe I’ll tell him tomorrow – I don’t want to come across as too savage. 

Jiaying
If you say so, Neil. Bye for now. 

Neil
Bye.