2022-08-15 Gnarly – The English We Speak

Introduction

Food, drink, situations? There are many things we can find unpleasant, and we have an expression you can use to talk about them!

Transcript

Feifei
Hello and welcome to The English We Speak with me, Feifei.

Roy
And me, Roy. Feifei, why are you making that face?

Feifei
Because I’m eating something really disgusting. Do you want one?

Roy
Not really if it’s disgusting – but thanks. What does it taste like?

Feifei
Horrible – like old milk mixed with fish. It’s part of a new diet, but it just tastes really gnarly.

Roy
What is gnarly? Is that the name of the dish?

Feifei
No, Roy. I didn’t say I was eating gnarly, I said it tastes gnarly. ‘Gnarly’ means ‘unpleasant or not nice’. I was trying to say that the food tastes disgusting.

Roy
Well, that makes sense – but maybe you can tell me why you’re eating something disgusting after these examples.

Examples
That coffee I bought tasted really gnarly. I’m going to complain.

He thinks he’s a good singer, but the noises he makes are just gnarly.

Getting out of bed early in the morning is gnarly. I like a lie-in.

Feifei
You’re listening to The English We Speak from BBC Learning English and we’re hearing about the word ‘gnarly’. We use this word to talk about things, such as food or situations, that are unpleasant or horrible.

Roy
So, you’re eating gnarly food to feel better?

Feifei
That’s right! I want to be healthier, so I don’t feel so tired in the morning! I have to get up at 4am every day and it’s really gnarly.

Roy
Well, that sounds like a good plan – but why do you get up at 4am?

Feifei
I’m practising for the next talent show. I sing opera for three hours every morning before work!   

Roy
I’m sure your neighbours don’t think that’s gnarly at all! Bye, Feifei.

Feifei
Bye, Roy.