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Hello and welcome to the English we speak. I'm Diane.

And hello, I'm Neil.

Uh, Neil, why are you wearing a big wig?

Don't you like it?

Well, it's certainly big.

Thanks.

I'm wearing it because you said we were talking about the word big wig a big wig no

not that kind of wig Neil I'm talking about an important and powerful person

ah silly me.

Yes, a big wig is an important person in the position of power.

So Jaying, don't I look important and powerful in this wig? No, you just look silly. Let's hear some examples of big wig.

We've got some big wigs in the office today, so we're all on best behavior.

My dad is a big wig in the company, so he says he'll help me get an internship. A local Bigwig has given her support for building a

bypass around the town. This is the English we speak from BBC Learning English and we're talking about the word

Bigwig which describes an important and powerful person. So Neil do you know any big wigs?

Uh, no, unless you think I'm a big wig when I wear this big wig.

It's certainly giving you a big head.

But no, I'm afraid you are a little wig. But a CEO of a company, an industry giant, or the mayor of a town, might be considered a big wig.

Do they wear wigs too?

No, Neil, but the word comes from the 1700s when English men of authority were wigs,

and those in higher power wore larger wigs.

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