BBC Learning English
The English We Speak
7 May 2013
Six-pack
Finn: Ahh, this is the life. Sun shining, birds singing - beautiful day here in the
park, eh Feifei?
Feifei: Ah yes, fantastic. Just one thing, Finn. I'm a bit thirsty.
Finn: Yes I could do with a drink.
Feifei: An orange juice would be magnificent.
Finn: No, no, no. On a day like today the ideal thing would be& an ice-cold
beer, or maybe six&
(Looks in bag)
Finn: Ah  here we are. A six-pack! Look.
Feifei: Finn, I don't really want to see your six-pack.
Finn: What?
Feifei: Actually, you don't have a six-pack. You have a beer belly!
Finn: Oh, I get it! Very good, Feifei. In English the phrase six-pack originally
refers to a way of selling cans of beer  buying six cans joined together
with plastic holders.
Feifei: And now, as a slang expression, it can also describe the shape of stomach
muscles... on people who are very fit you can see six round muscles 
which looks like a six pack of drink. Unfortunately, not on you Finn.
Finn: What are you saying?
Feifei: Anyone can see you don't have a six-pack. You have a one-pack  one
huge beer belly!
Finn: Well, I think that phrase is easy enough to understand.
Feifei: Too many six-packs of beer, I'm afraid!
Examples
I've been going to the gym for a month now. I need to get my six-pack ready before I go
to the beach this summer!
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I used to have a six-pack when I was a teenager, but it seems to have got lost under all
this fat.
Feifei: So Finn, how about you leave that six-pack of beer and swap it for... a
healthy fruit smoothie!
Finn: Nice idea, and I can see a fruit smoothie seller over there! I'll go and buy
two. See you in a bit.
Feifei: Thanks Finn. While he's over there let me remind everyone if you want to
learn more phrases like six-pack and beer belly, check out
bbclearningenglish.com. And do some exercise! Bye.
Finn: (Opens and drinks from can) Don't tell Feifei!
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