The English We Speak: Brownie Points

Learning English Conversations

BBC

Education, Language Learning

4.6 • 1.1K Ratings

🗓️ 29 August 2011

⏱️ 3 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

In this series you can learn authentic English words and phrases. This week's programme looks at the phrase 'brownie points'.

Transcript

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0:00.0	This is a download from the BBC.
0:03.0	For more information and our terms of use, go to BBCworldservice.com
0:08.0	forward slash podcasts.
0:11.0	The English We Speak
0:15.0	From BBC Learning English
0:19.0	Hello and welcome to the English We Speak.
0:22.0	I'm William Kramer.
0:23.0	And I'm Faye, William, what are you doing with that suitcase and flowers and boxes of chocolates?
0:31.0	Ah, well, I'm spending the weekend with my wife's parents, so I thought I'd better get something for my mother-in-law.
0:37.7	Oh, I see, a weekend with the in-laws.
0:41.4	Yes, and I'm going to do a bit of decorating and gardening for them too.
0:45.8	Wow, you really are trying to earn some branny points, aren't you?
0:51.6	William is trying to get praise and approval by doing something for them.
0:56.0	Yes, I'm trying to earn some brownie points.
0:59.4	To earn some brownie points.
1:01.6	Brownie points are badges, young girls who are members of a youth organization called the Brownies,
1:07.0	earn for doing good things for others.
1:10.0	Now we use that term generally to mean trying to get praise for our actions.
1:15.0	Yes, you see I'm not sure if my mother-in-law really really likes me that much.
1:22.0	So that's why I'm trying to earn some brownie points.
1:25.0	Maybe she'll change her attitude towards me.
1:28.0	Oh dear. Yes, maybe you will get some approval from her.
	...

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