AEE 2641: Should You Call Someone a Bummer?
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What is the main topic discussed in this episode?
This is an All Ears English podcast, episode 2641. Should you call someone a bummer? Welcome to the All Ears English podcast, downloaded more than 200 million times. Are you feeling stuck with your English?
What does it mean to call someone a bummer?
We'll show you how to become fearless and fluent by focusing on connection, not perfection with your American host, Aubrey Carter, the IELTS whiz, and Lindsay McMahon, the English adventurer. coming to you from Arizona and Colorado, USA. To get real-time transcripts right on your phone and create your personalized vocabulary list, try the All Ears English app for iOS and Android. Start your seven-day free trial at allearsenglish.com forward slash app.
the words you use need to match the gravity of the situation. Do you know when to use the word bummer and when not to? Today, find out how to make sure you don't trivialize a situation in English.
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Hey, Aubrey, how's it going? I'm great. How are you, Lindsay? Good. Aubrey, is there anything that's getting you down this week, making you feel kind of low?
Yeah, I just got home from vacation, which is always tough. I haven't had to cook for anyone in several days. Now I'm like, what do I make for dinner?
Yeah, there's always a bit of a letdown when you come home from vacation, right? Yeah, get back to work and everything. That's such a bummer.
Really, it is such a bummer that I have to start having my mom responsibilities back. It's always kind of nice to get a break, but yeah.
So today we're talking on the show about the word bummer. I mean, this is, it doesn't get more slangy than this, right?
Right. It's a very casual way of expressing disappointment or feeling down, but it's pretty playful like this. Just be like, yeah, it's a bit of a bummer instead of all of the much more negative and fatalist ways that I could say that.
It's a great word for connection too, because when I said to you, oh, that's such a bummer. I'm saying, I hear you. I get it. I've been in that situation before, right?
It's such a great way of expressing empathy with someone else's situation, right? You're acknowledging it without turning it into a huge deal, right?
It's not a tragedy, right? And it doesn't need to be treated like a tragedy.
And that actually would be really strange. I don't know if this has ever happened to you, Lindsay, where you sort of say something that's not such a big deal and there's an overreaction. Yes. Like, oh, that's so horrible. That's devastating. And you're kind of like, okay, chill.
Yeah. It's strange because it makes you feel anytime reactions are not correct in, are not commensurate with what happened. Right. It feels like, is the person being disingenuous? Are they being fake? Are they not getting me? Or what's going on here? It's true.
There's a disconnect. Yeah. Yes, that can break the connection. So bummer is often the perfect response. Kind of be like, oh, I understand that is unfortunate, but not to go overboard with the reaction.
And then in the opposite way, we want to make sure we're not using it for situations that do require a bigger reaction.
When should you use the word bummer in conversation?
Like the death of a family member is not a bummer.
Okay. Exactly. That's such a good point, right? If you're wanting to be a supportive, this could be offensive or just tone deaf, depending on the situation.
Right. Okay. So we got a lot to get into today. I love when we have a chance to break down slang into how to use it to connect. So guys, if you love our style, connection, not perfection is what we call it. Go ahead and hit the follow button right here on the podcast. Or if you prefer YouTube, go over to YouTube, find Allers English, hit subscribe.
Yes. Awesome. So let's dive in and talk about when we can use bummer, right? This is for small or medium disappointments.
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Chapters
5 chapters
1
What is the main topic discussed in this episode?
0:00–0:16
2
What does it mean to call someone a bummer?
0:16–3:46
3
When should you use the word bummer in conversation?
3:46–12:24
4
What are examples of situations where bummer is appropriate?
12:24–15:24
5
What situations should you avoid calling a bummer?
15:24–18:00
Speakers
4 identifiedMore from All Ears English Podcast
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