Please double-click on the English subtitles below to play the video.
00:08
Feifei: Hello and welcome to The English We Speak,
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I’m Feifei… and you are?
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00:13
Rob: I’m Rob!
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Feifei: Yes, of course you are.
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And what is the capital of Greenland?
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00:20
Rob: Strange question.
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00:22
Why are you asking?
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00:23
Feifei: Well, somebody has sold me this pair of
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‘clever clogs’ and I’m trying them out.
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But they don’t seem to be working.
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I don’t feel any cleverer.
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00:34
Rob: Well, they’re nice shoes, Feifei,
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but I’m afraid wearing them
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won’t improve your intelligence.
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In fact,
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buying them has made you look stupid, not clever.
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00:44
Feifei: Oh! Thanks!
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00:45
Rob: Clogs are interesting, though.
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They’re made of wood, and were first made in Holland.
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They were used for farming,
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but are also used for dancing and…
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00:54
Feifei: Yes, Rob!
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I know you’re trying to show how clever you are,
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00:59
but it’s actually quite annoying.
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01:01
Rob: Well, I’m just demonstrating what a 'clever clogs' is.
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01:04
It’s someone who is annoying
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because they think they know more than everyone else.
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01:09
Feifei: That sounds like you!
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Let’s hear some clever examples…
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Examples: If you’re such a clever clogs,
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01:18
why don’t you work out our accounts?
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01:23
My brother’s such a clever clogs.
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He always comes first in the pub quiz.
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01:29
We got lost in the city because Neil,
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being such a clever clogs,
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insisted he knew the right way to go.
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He didn’t!
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01:42
Feifei: This is The English We Speak
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from BBC Learning English
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and we’re talking about the expression ‘clever clogs’,
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which is used to describe someone who is annoying
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because they think they know more than everyone else,
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or they always think they’re right.
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01:58
Rob: Yes, and of course I’m right in saying
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you were stupid to buy a pair of 'clever clogs'
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to make you more intelligent.
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02:05
You can’t buy intelligence!
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02:07
Feifei: Actually they’re very comfortable
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02:09
and ideal for wearing around the office.
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02:13
But come on Mr Clever Clogs.
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02:15
If you’re so smart,
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02:16
what is the capital of Greenland?
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02:19
Rob: Well, it’s Anchorage of course.
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02:21
Feifei: Wrong!
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The capital of Greenland is Nuuk.
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Who’s clever now?
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02:26
Rob: Smart Alec!
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02:27
Feifei: Smart Feifei, actually. Bye.
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02:30
Rob: Goodbye.
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