Sheeple: The English We Speak

Hello and welcome to The English We Speak

with me, Feifei…

..and me, Neil.

Nice bobble hat, Neil!

Thanks.

But not very practical - wearing a hat

indoors must be quite hot.

It’s the fashion, Feifei. Some of us have

to keep up with the trends.

Right! Maybe that explains the waistcoat you’re

wearing as well – to be fashionable?

Oh you wouldn’t understand, Feifei!

I understand very clearly – you are a sheeple.

What are you bleating on about?

Sheeple – It describes people who just follow

the crowd, without much thought.

Basically, you are easily led – like a sheep! But you’re

not the only one – listen to these examples…

I can’t believe all these sheeple who’ve

paid lots of money for the latest smartphone -

they’ll be half price in a few months’ time!

My brother’s one of those sheeple who

has to follow the latest fashions –

he’s now wearing ripped jeans, but so is

everyone else at his college!

Although nearly everyone in my class has

one of those smartwatches, I’m not going

to be one of those sheeple – I’m going to

stick with the old watch my grandmother

gave me instead!

This is The English We Speak from BBC

Learning English and we’re talking about

the word ‘sheeple’. It’s a mix of the

English words ‘sheep’ and ‘people’. It

describes people, who just like sheep,

follow what other people do or things that

are trending.

So you’re saying I’m trending?

No, I’m saying you are just following the

trend – you can’t think for yourself.

Like a sheep!

I don’t think so – look I’m wearing

sandals and socks. That’s not fashionable

but very comfortable.

Hmmm, that reminds me sheep

as well – stupid!

Charming! I’d watch out, Feifei. I might

be a wolf in sheep’s clothing!

Bye, Neil.

Bye.