| [00:01.44] |
Hello, I'm Helen and I'm here today to co-present The English We Speak and the presenter is Rosie. Where is she? |
| [00:17.23] |
Hi, I'm Rosie. Hi Helen. I'm sorry I'm late. The traffic, you know? |
| [00:22.56] |
Is it that bad? I live in North London, like you, and I've managed to be here on time. Maybe you should take a different route so you wouldn't be late anymore. |
| [00:34.80] |
Yesterday you were a bit late too. And the day before. I saw when you arrived in the middle of an important meeting. This is not good. |
| [00:44.94] |
I know. The boss was not pleased and he called me afterwards into his office. He says he will throw the book at me. |
| [00:52.24] |
Oh, that's bad. That's very bad. |
| [00:56.34] |
Yes, it is. I'm very concerned now. I know that I should be more careful. |
| [01:01.61] |
They are very big. Have you seen these massive encyclopaedias he keeps on the dark wooden shelves behind his desk? |
| [01:11.31] |
He's not into electronic books and neither into those so-called paperbacks. The man likes heavy leather cover traditional books and old collectors' antiques and furniture. |
| [01:25.50] |
I know he likes antiques, that does not bother me. |
| [01:28.72] |
He's going to throw the book at me, Helen. He said it yesterday. He sounded very angry, very crossed and he said, |
| [01:36.96] |
"Rosie, it's happening too often now. You're always late for meetings, for programmes, you have been absent frequently and I'm going to throw the book at you." |
| [01:47.56] |
That's what he said, Helen. |
| [01:49.14] |
Oh, the books are heavy and you might get seriously hurt. He's a strong man, maybe he will throw the other things too. |
| [01:58.22] |
Oh, I don't like to see him angry. He is a good boss but he's got a temper. |
| [02:04.98] |
There's that Queen Victoria bust from the 19th century he loves. It's an antique too, if you get him angry enough he might even throw the bust on you. |
| [02:15.73] |
Queen Victoria's bust? Eh what are you talking about? |
| [02:20.93] |
Helen, in English, to throw the book at somebody means to impose the maximum penalty on somebody who has been breaking the rules. |
| [02:29.70] |
The book is supposed to be the list of rules and regulations and the expression is used by people in a position of authority. Let's listen to some examples. |
| [02:40.40] |
Mr Jones, I'm tired of seeing you in my courtroom! If you don't stop trying to steal cars I'm going to throw the book at you. You'll face a long prison sentence. |
| [02:51.80] |
I'm sorry, Judge. I think I've learnt my lesson now and will behave properly. |
| [02:57.30] |
I'm your teacher. Pay attention to what I'm saying. If you continue cheating in your exams I'm going to throw the book at you. |
| [03:06.61] |
Oh, I see. So he will not actually pick up that heavy Encyclopaedia Britannica and throw it in your direction and hurt you. |
| [03:16.47] |
Of course not. He probably will send me a formal letter and start disciplinary procedures with the human resources department and might end up sacking me. |
| [03:26.37] |
But at least you will not be hurt and the book will be preserved. I like that book, you know. |
| [03:33.10] |
When I was a child I used to enjoy looking up things in encyclopaedias, they're very interesting. This was before the internet was so accessible. |
| [03:42.23] |
It doesn't matter what happens to his old books, Helen. This is serious. It might not hurt me but it will hurt my pocket. No job, no money. |
| [03:53.80] |
Well, if you don't want him to sack you, then buy a watch and don't come late anymore. Follow the rules. |
| [04:00.57] |
And I don't want to finish the programme late. Nobody will throw the book at me. Goodbye. |
| [04:07.94] |
I will buy a new watch. Thank you for the advice. Bye. |
