Summary
Here’s a phrase to describe a famous living person. Neil thinks it applies to him but Jiaying has other ideas and has a more suitable phrase to describe him. Learn about both these phrases in this programme.
Transcript
Jiaying
Hello and welcome to The English We Speak from BBC Learning English, I’m Jiaying…
Neil
And I’m Neil… A legend in my own lifetime!
Jiaying
A legend in your own lifetime? Err, Neil, are we talking about you?
Neil
Yes! I’m famous and still living – that’s what I mean by ‘a legend in my own lifetime’.
Jiaying
So, you’re famous just for being alive?
Neil
No, no – famous for presenting this amazing The English We Speak programme.
Jiaying
Hmm, you are well and truly alive but I’m not sure about famous. When we describe someone as ‘a legend in their own lifetime’ we mean they are a living person who is incredibly well-known and admired for something – or were admired when they were alive. Such as, for example, Tim Berners-Lee who invented the World Wide Web.
Neil
… And me!
Jiaying
Let’s have some examples about some real legends…
Examples
Elvis was a legend in his own lifetime.
For some football fans, Ronaldo is a legend in his own lifetime.
The athlete has made such an impression at the Olympics that she’s become a legend in her own lifetime.
Jiaying
This is The English We Speak from BBC Learning English and we’re discussing the phrase ‘a legend in one’s own lifetime’ which describes someone who is incredibly famous for something in their lifetime. Neil, you really have to do something amazing to be a legend in your lifetime!
Neil
Well, I can make a great cup of tea and bake quite tasty cakes.
Jiaying
Ah! That makes you ‘a legend in your own lunchtime’!
Neil
Hmm, that doesn’t sound so great.
Jiaying
It’s not. ‘A legend in your own lunchtime’ is an informal, sarcastic twist on the real phrase and means you’re not as important or famous as you think you are! Keep trying, though, Neil!
Neil
Oh, thanks. I guess I’ll just go and make some tea and cake then.
Jiaying
Thanks. You’re a legend – to me anyway!
Neil
Gee, thanks, Jiaying.
Jiaying
Bye.
Neil
Bye.