2021-08-16 Bigwig – The English We Speak

Summary

Neil is wearing a big wig but it turns out it’s not necessary to learn the informal English expression. Find out what it really means in The English We Speak.

Transcript

Jiaying
Hello and welcome to The English We Speak. I’m Jiaying…

Neil
… and hello, I’m Neil.

Jiaying
Err… Neil, why are you wearing a big wig?

Neil
Don’t you like it? 

Jiaying
Well, it’s certainly big!

Neil
Thanks! I’m wearing it because you said we were talking about the word ‘bigwig’. 

Jiaying
A big wig… no, not that kind of wig, Neil! I’m talking about an important and powerful person.

Neil
Oh, silly me!

Jiaying
Yes, a bigwig is an important person in a position of power.

Neil
So, Jiaying, don’t I look important and powerful in this wig?

Jiaying
No – you just look silly. Let’s hear some examples of ‘bigwig’…

Examples
We’ve got some bigwigs in the office today, so we’re all on best behaviour.

My dad is a bigwig in the company, so he says he’ll help me get an internship.

A local bigwig has given her support for building a by-pass around the town.

Jiaying
This is The English We Speak from BBC Learning English, and we’re talking about the word ‘bigwig’ which describes an important and powerful person. So, Neil, do you know any bigwigs?

Neil
Err no, unless you think I’m a bigwig when I wear this big wig?

Jiaying
It’s certainly given you a big head. But no, I’m afraid you are a little wig! But a CEO of a company, an industry giant or the mayor of a town might be considered a bigwig.

Neil
Do they wear wigs too?

Jiaying
No, Neil! But the word comes from the 1700s when English men of authority wore wigs and those in higher power wore larger wigs. 

Neil
Oh, right – I’m off then.

Jiaying
Where are you going?

Neil
To get a bigger wig – maybe I’ll be more important, then!

Jiaying
Hmm, I don’t think so. Bye.