BBC The English We Speak with transcript Playlist: https://goo.gl/s24Yqp
Finn's reading about a someone who sells shoes to Joe Bloggs. He sold so many that he's a millionaire. But can you really make so much money selling to just one person? And who is Joe Bloggs? Listen to the programme to find out who this mysterious guy is.
Improve your English: http://linkengpark.com/bbc-the-english-we-speak/
Transcript
Feifei
Hi Finn. What's that you're reading?
Finn
Oh, it's just a really interesting article about a man who made a fortune by selling shoes, Feifei. You know, he's a billionaire!
Feifei
A billionaire?! I guess the shoes must be very expensive – for the upper classes…
Finn
Well. No, not at all. The shoes are just for Joe Bloggs.
Feifei
Joe Bloggs? He made all that money, making shoes for just one man?
Finn
No. What I mean is, the man made a fortune selling shoes for the average person. In English, when we want to refer to the average person we can use the name 'Joe Bloggs'.
Feifei
Ah, I see. So, Joe Bloggs could be any one of us.
Finn
That's right. Any Tom, Dick or Harry.
Feifei
Oh! Who are they?
Finn
This is another expression we use when we want to talk about lots of people in general; nobody in particular: Tom, Dick or Harry.
Feifei
Ah. I see... They're short, common names. Thank you for the explanation, Finn. You know, I love reading these American news websites… Oh! Finn! Tragedy in Miami!
Finn
Really? What happened?
Feifei
It's here in this article… a policeman said he found the body of John Doe in a popular nightclub. He was stabbed! Poor Doe family!
Finn
Feifei, this is sad news, especially for this man's family. But they are probably not called Doe. They're not the Doe family.
Feifei
Why not? Do you know them?
Finn
Well, in American English, John Doe is a name often used when referring to the victim of a crime whose body hasn't been identified.
Feifei
Ah! I've heard this name before… in crime TV shows.
Finn
Yes. In the US they use John Doe when the victim is male and Jane Doe when the victim is female. Let's hear some examples of these expressions used in today's The English We Speak.
Examples
A: Bright purple jacket? Sparkly blue skirt? Who wears such outrageous clothes?
B: Well, this fashion designer is popular among the very trendy. These clothes are not for Joe Bloggs!
Listen, this is a very exclusive party I'm inviting you to. Don't go around talking about it or every Tom, Dick and Harry will end up there.
Detective: The John Doe found at the scene is in the morgue right now. We're waiting for the DNA test results to identify the body.
Feifei
So Joe Bloggs; Tom, Dick and Harry; and John Doe and Jane Doe are not real people.
Finn
No.
Feifei
What a crowd!
Finn
Indeed.
Feifei
That's a very interesting lesson. Thank you, Finn.
Finn
You're welcome, Feifei. Time to go. Bye!
Feifei
Bye!
BBC The English We Speak with transcript Playlist: https://goo.gl/s24Yqp
